I have an 03 saab and will be switching out the oem shocks for some koni FSD's... I have never played with the suspension before but I am not really worried about doing anything wrong.. my question is, what tools will be required to do it.. because I am VERY limited there.

Any suggestions on how to make the install easier?

Thanks guys..

1/15/2007 10:43:49 PM

i'm not super familiar w/ saabs but i'm guessing you'll need a spring compressor and basic hand tools, jacks and jack stands. that's all i needed for my gf's eclipse

1/15/2007 10:47:06 PM

Pass it off to somebody who has a clue.

Car has struts, does it not? Means you will need a spring compressor. If you are a fucktard and have never done strut assemblies, you stand an above-average chance of killing yourself in the process. Seriously.

1/15/2007 10:48:22 PM

Quote :

"Any suggestions on how to make the install easier?"

yeah, pay somebody. seriously, it would save you a lot of headaches and it really isn't that expensive. in order for you to do it yourself, you'd have to rent a spring compressor and hope you know how to use it correctly. you already stated you are limited in the tools dept. do yourself a huge favor and pay somebody. btw, nice choice on the shocks.

1/15/2007 10:48:43 PM

it's not that hard, but probably not something you want to attempt by yourself without assistance if you've never had experience disassembling a strut.

[Edited on January 15, 2007 at 10:49 PM. Reason : zxappeal and underPSI already covered it...]

1/15/2007 10:48:48 PM

Quote :

"Car has struts, does it not? Means you will need a spring compressor. If you are a fucktard and have never done strut assemblies, you stand an above-average chance of killing yourself in the process. Seriously."

no shit, i've done them for years with a proper wall mounted compressor and it still scares the shit out of me

1/15/2007 10:53:32 PM

i like using the cheap parts store manual ones, keeps things interesting, lol.

1/15/2007 10:55:19 PM

cool, made that easy.. thanks guys. I'll report back on my opinions of the FSD shocks.

1/15/2007 11:00:07 PM

rent a spring compressor for free from autozone ($100 deposit that you get back), get some basic tools and you are good to go with few DIY specific to saab.

1/15/2007 11:03:03 PM

Quote :

"i like using the cheap parts store manual ones, keeps things interesting, lol."

Hell, man, I've got the $45 slightly-better-than-the-cheapest-shit manual ones, and I take my sweet time setting them up exactly like I want them. And then I carefully compress the springs.

A wall-mounted one is light years better, but some of us don't shit in cotton quite that high.

1/15/2007 11:04:38 PM

just rent a spring compressor, chain the spring to something, borrow a helmet, and have at it

1/15/2007 11:06:15 PM

^^yeah, jokes aside mine have scared me pretty good before.

1/15/2007 11:08:46 PM

I have some pretty specific directions for installing the oem shocks but I honestly was ignorant to the compresor and you guys made that sound like a real bitch so I might just print these out for the saab tech who recently opened his own indy shop...

Here are the directions if any of you just wanted to look over them:

http://www.genuinesaab.com/psi/files/SS%20Sports%20Chassis.pdf

1/15/2007 11:08:47 PM

it can be a bitch and dangerous if you've never done it.

like i said, it's not that hard of a job once you've done it. i would reccomend just finding someone with the experience to give you a hand so you can learn. there's a few peope on here that would probably help you out for a few bucks.

[Edited on January 15, 2007 at 11:19 PM. Reason : .]

1/15/2007 11:18:31 PM

I was doing a Jetta about 8 years ago. Had already replaced the strut on the passenger side.

I was fixing to do the driver's side...busy running my mouth, not paying a damn bit of attention. I put my impact gun on the nut and let 'er go...WITH NO SPRING COMPRESSOR.

Good thing I wasn't hunched over that bastard, because that spring flew up and smacked the shit outta the roof of the shop. About 16 feet up.

1/16/2007 12:01:51 AM

lol. i shot an eibach camaro spring across the university house parking lot a few years ago.

[Edited on January 16, 2007 at 12:12 AM. Reason : .]

1/16/2007 12:11:46 AM

I'm finding it hard enough to change the shocks on a '94 Rockhopper, sorry d00d

1/16/2007 1:01:15 AM

You'll never learn if you never do it. Just be cautious and remember the spring could release all that energy on your face, so never stand over it.

I guess I'm a cheap bastard who makes my specialty tools. I made my spring compressors with 1/2" threaded rod, pipe, angle iron, u-bolts, and a few nuts and a couple welds. The threaded rod got a little curvature to it now but it still works great. Also when I get it compressed I like to use nylon straps around the spring for safety.

1/16/2007 5:36:32 AM

Not to get too off topic, but my dad just put Koni FSD's on his 99 328i. Small improvement in handling on the twisty's. Does make the big bumps in the road seem bigger. Small bumps remain about the same. If you're looking for a ride that seems a bit more sporting, they seem to be a good way to go.

1/16/2007 6:15:08 AM

i helped a buddy do a 325 BMW with the rentable spring compressors. It wasn't too difficult. Just take your time, pay attention, and make sure those spring compressors have a good hold on the coils so they don't slip off.

1/16/2007 8:08:30 AM

4.5 hours quoted to install the koni shocks..... does this sound about right? This will obviosly be the front and rear... oem springs.

This is from the master tech from David Oneal Saab who opened his own indy shop.. said total would be $380. Does this sound about right?

I really didnt expect that much and I didnt expect that much time required.

Hmmm... I have step by step instructions... what would you guys charge to help me install these on my SS? I guess just shoot me a PM if you are serious about it... I would really appreciate it because thats too much and I would really just like the experience and knowledge of doing it on my own (well.. sorta).

1/18/2007 3:56:46 PM

i think that price is a little steep just for shock installation but i've never done a saab before so maybe there's more to it.

1/19/2007 8:54:48 AM

I did my springs myself on my Subaru (I'm thinking Saab's platform is similar to Subaru's, but that's just a wild guess).

All it takes is:

- a print out of "good" detailed step-by-step instructions
- a couple of tools from Sears/Autoparts store
- rented spring compressors from Autozone
- a lot of sweat
- a few of these ->
- and about 6.5 hours of labor

If you feel mechanically inclined enough to do it, then go for it.

Edit: Just looked the link to the manual you posted... your front strut setup is exactly like my wrx setup. The rear looks different.

[Edited on January 19, 2007 at 10:17 AM. Reason : manual]

1/19/2007 10:08:06 AM

european performance quoted me $540 to install the ground control street kit (konis w/ eibach springs) on my car. but that included alignment.

1/19/2007 11:45:52 AM

The first time I swapped out my shocks it took me 12 hrs, man that sucked

Next time I did it (swapped springs) it only took me 5 hrs, using basica tools and manual spring compressor.

$380 doesn't sound far off to me

1/19/2007 1:30:44 PM

IF you plan on doing this sort of thing regularly then go for it, if not then take it to someone else.

1/19/2007 3:32:19 PM

$380 sounds fine.

i was quoted a lot more than that for my car. i did it with the help of friends in the dead of winter though.

opportunity cost was not worth it in my case b/c of some unforeseen problems that developed.

if the mechanic breaks anything, it's on his dime. if you do, well you know...

1/20/2007 10:07:45 AM

Quote :

"Also when I get it compressed I like to use nylon straps around the spring for safety."

good idea. i use a small ratchet strap whenever i'm unlazy enough.

doesn't sound like a bad price. especially with a saab tech doing the work (not that dealer techs are always any better).

1/20/2007 10:53:30 PM

IGOR?

1/21/2007 12:01:48 AM

lol, i was going to say something about that but decided to be nice.

1/21/2007 1:02:34 AM

where that fool at? paging igor

1/21/2007 1:40:41 AM

never done it but i have no fear of trying...long as ur not handicapped its hard to fuckup with the right stuff

1/21/2007 1:55:03 AM