2003 saab 9-3 sounds like bottoming out - but not!?

Question

okay, so i have a 2003 saab 9-3 which often makes a lottttt of rattling/squeaking/clunking noises going slowly over rough roads. anybody else have this problem?? <just wondering.

but what im asking is - when the front suspension depresses (like at the bottom of going up or coming off a very sharp hill... so basically when the front of the car is pushed down with a significant amount of force) i hear this sound like my car is bottoming out - but i KNOW its not... what could this be. its completely fine when going over bumps and such, but if theres a smooth dip in the road when then front of the car gets pushed down toward the ground, it sounds like bottoming out - a scraping noise..

what could this be? ps: sorry its a bit hard to explain.

richard · Accepted Answer

a combination of strut and lower Control arm bushings causes that but on a rare occasion i had a bad ball joint make it sound like the car was bottoming out

Anonymous · Answer

Lower control arm bushings sounds like the culprit to me.  Our dealership stocks about 12 left and right (it is a very common problem).  The whole lower control arm is has to be replaced, the bushings are not sold separately.  In addition, it may also be necessary to replace strut tower bearings and bushings.

nywholesale · Answer

Given I have had this exact issue on two different vehicles, it sounds like the lower control arm and sway bar links.

JoMo · Answer

The whole shock/strut and spring assembly may need to be replaced. Depending on how it has been driven, these things can wear pretty quickly. Are there any other problems that may be effecting the suspension? Are your brakes worn and pulsing when you step on them? It shouldn't be too much to do all shocks.. maybe $800?

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2003 saab 9-3 sounds like bottoming out - but not!?

4 Answers