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2 questions: "washy" steering and overtones

This is two seperate issues

The biggest problem, is that my steering has gone loose on me. Its one of those things where i started noticing a month ago, but could always write it off to something - wind, roads, etc - but now its at a point that i could be on a completely smooth straight road with calm weather and i still feel like i'm under constant correction to keep the car straight (its by no means severe, but its definately getting worse) I checked the fluid levels and they're all OK. The tires are at an even ~37 PSI. Is there anything else i should check, or a likely problem (the power steering pump)?

Also, i've noticed an overtone in the engine. Its not loud, but noticable - its pitch is directly corelated to the RPMs of the car. Its also directly connected to the climate control system - when i turn it off, the sound dissapears a second after the air stops. When i turn it on, it starts up again about a second before the air starts. My first thought is a belt somewhere, but has anyone expreinced this and have a thought?

Thanks, Brenden

Reply to
Brenden Conte
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It helps a lot if you post model, year, and engine info.

Sounds like "groove wander". Happens with older tires, more with wider tires than narrow. The only solution is to replace your tires although pressure adjustments (lower) might help. But, you could also have something worn in the front end. Have a competent mechanic check out the front end BEFORE you have a serious problem. Don't wait, something could be seriously loose.

Sounds like the A/C compressor. There were some issues with the NG900 A/C units and a valve, AFAIR. Could also be the bearings I suppose. Post some model info.

Reply to
Bob

Back from the holidays! Thanks for the response, sorry for the omission. This is a 1999 Saab 9-5, 4cyl STD.

Had the alignment adjusted and tires rotated about a year ago, so the rears are somewhat worn, but the fronts look OK (certainly not new, but not severely worn either).

Reply to
Brenden Conte

I'd get a good Saab mechanic to look it over then. If the tires are not the issue, you have something worn or loose. That's not good.

Reply to
Bob

I too started noticing some steering looseness with my '02 95. I had to hold the steering slightly to the right (the car was drifting left on a neutral steering) and the steering was looser than before .. there was also a very small 'cluck' noise when backing up and turning right at right andgles. which got louder over time.

The local saab dealers couldn't find anything wrong with the car the first time I took it (they couldn't even reproduce the 'cluck' noise), but on a second visit and some strong complaints, one of the senior techs came with me and drove the car around in an empty parking lot and dignosed the issue to be in the steering. They said there was something that needed lubrication in the rack/pinion joint and it _did_ get rid of the noise and looseness in the steering. And the car drove straighter too.

S.

'02 SAAB 95 '95 Volvo 854 T

Reply to
shyam

i'm also having the same 'washy' problem with my '99 9-3. after gettig new tires, alignment and tire balancing (2 times) it still drives like a '80 buick (loose, sloppy, unresponsive on the wheel and hard to keep from drifting left to right on the highway) -- and the steering wheel shakes between 55-70 MPH. i've taken it to two mechanics (one a saab specialist), neither can find anything wrong. strangely, when going up signifiacnt inclines (on the highway) the steering seems to tighten and becomes more responsive -- not tight, but must better.

any suggestions?

robert in ny

Reply to
rfisher_nyc

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