I recently found 2 of the 3 engine cover bolts to have stripped out threads on a 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc. The bolts no longer would bite and just kept spinning indefinitely. The bolts were fine but the...
A few months after getting a 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc I found that the rear passenger side power window would not always roll back up. Instead it would try to roll up but soon stop and make a crumpling paper type of noise until I let go of the controls. I would have to help it up with my hand in order...
When you replace shocks + struts on a car like this Saab 9-3 you really should be replacing them as a set around the same time to ensure consistent suspension performance. A few months earlier I replaced the front struts, but held off on the rears as I didn’t have enough time to do it all in one...
Replacing the front lower control arms on a 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc is a fairly-easy DIY that takes about 1-2 hours to complete. Parts & Tools You’ll Need: Front Right Lower Control Arm (passenger side) Front Left Lower Control Arm (driver side) Floor Jack, Jack Stands + Wheel Chocks Ratchet...
Are you getting a constant slow drip of coolant near the passenger firewall on a Saab 9-3? Is your water pump ~100k miles old? If the answer is yes to both then there’s a good chance your water pump needs to be replaced. Luckily FCP Euro has you covered with all the Saab parts you need. Here’s a...
Spark plugs should be replaced every 60k miles on a 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc. It takes about 30min and your car will get better fuel economy versus that from worn out plugs. For this DIY write-up I’ll be using NGK G-Power spark plugs (part # BKR6EGP) which cross-references correctly for the car. I...
Do you get an annoying door rattle when you drive over bumps on the road? It could be a loose, misaligned or broken door panel clip. While driving my 2004 Saab 9-3 over bumps I was hearing a bad rattle coming from the lower corner of the passenger side door. Fortunately I was able to reach over...
Have one of your low-beam headlamp bulbs gone out? Your Saab 9-3 likely has daytime running lights that use low-beam bulbs which means this may be a frequent maintenance item to replace. After hearing from other Saab owners having to replace bulbs multiple times a year I would go for “extended...
If hitting a bump is loud inside the vehicle, you may be dealing with struts that have failed or are failing. You’ll need to confirm though as it could be a number of things in the suspension. In my case I could tell it was the struts simply by looking at it and considering its age. One side’s...
Have you ever heard a clicking noise lasting a few seconds near the glovebox of a Saab 9-3 when unlocking or locking the car? Chances are you’re dealing with a recirculation motor with a few broken gears making that noise. How to confirm what you’re dealing with A definite way to confirm this is...