Need lots of help, wanting to bag a Saab 9-5

[JRodigan]

Okay, after deciding I wanted to lower my Saab I was going to go coilovers, but after awhile I decided to go big or go home. I want to build the first bagged Saab 9-5 (to my knowledge) ever. But, I'm totally new to air ride, so I have a lot of learning to do. Obviously there are no pre-made kits for my car, so I'm going to be building everything myself. I'm still just in the planning/brainstorming phase. I've been doing a bunch of research and decided I definitely want autopilot V2 management all hidden away in the spare wheel well.

This is kind of what I'm looking at here:


I understand the fronts, because I have regular struts like every other car there, but the rear is throwing me off a bit because my rear shock assemblies look like this:



And I don't know exactly how I can seat a bag in it. Would I be able to just get replacement adjustable rear shocks for my car and put something like this:

http://bagriders.com/modlab/products/AERO-SPORT.html

In place of the stock spring?

Like I said I'm still in the planning phase, and I'm totally new. I appreciate any input.

[Alex@BagRiders]

Hm, yeah your rear struts are going to be a bit of a challenge. You could potentially do an Aero Sport back there but clearance is going to be the main thing to worry about since they measure 5.875" in diameter.

[JRodigan]

Hm, yeah your rear struts are going to be a bit of a challenge. You could potentially do an Aero Sport back there but clearance is going to be the main thing to worry about since they measure 5.875" in diameter.

Just thinking I might be able to make a spacer to put the bellows of the bags below the two lower prongs on the rear spring perch. Would that be a simple solution to the clearance issues? (Provided they would clear everywhere else)

[Jared_Morgan]

damn thats sticky...might just have to scrap that completely and get your fab on to use regular double bellow bags like the trucks use.

[F31Dingus]

Nice 9-5. What year is it?

[JRodigan]

damn thats sticky...might just have to scrap that completely and get your fab on to use regular double bellow bags like the trucks use.

So you're saying separate the bag and the shock. Like run the shock in its current location, but fab up mounts to place the bag somewhere else?

Nice 9-5. What year is it?

Thanks! It's a 2003.

[F31Dingus]

Ok,
I only ask because the earlier 9-5s had a tendency to develop a sagging rear suspension. Usually on the left side. It took me and a crazy mechanic quite a long time (and several sets of tires) to get it figured out on my 99 se model. You might consider digging into it a bit deeper before committing to expensive mods. Their was not a proper solution yet when I was still running my 9-5.

[JRodigan]

Ok,
I only ask because the earlier 9-5s had a tendency to develop a sagging rear suspension. Usually on the left side. It took me and a crazy mechanic quite a long time (and several sets of tires) to get it figured out on my 99 se model. You might consider digging into it a bit deeper before committing to expensive mods. Their was not a proper solution yet when I was still running my 9-5.

Mine is already beginning to sag. It's a lot more prevalent in the wagons since they're carrying a bit extra weight in the back. A lot of people have placed the blame on the springs. They have the camber shims now too to help keep the tires from going out so quickly. I won't be so concerned with that once this thing is slammed though. haha

Also, not sure if this is any help, my car shares the suspension with the Saturn L200 and Vauxhall Vectra B. So if anyone knows anybody with a bagged Vectra or L200, send them my way. lol

[Jared_Morgan]

So you're saying separate the bag and the shock. Like run the shock in its current location, but fab up mounts to place the bag somewhere else?

basically man. That would work or I mean in all honesty you could even relocate shocks if need be. I've had to do some crafty shit like that in the past for a truck I bagged. It's certainly not impossible. I'd probably worry first about getting a bag in place...you really can ride without shocks for a bit in the rear if worst came to worst. lol.

[JRodigan]

basically man. That would work or I mean in all honesty you could even relocate shocks if need be. I've had to do some crafty shit like that in the past for a truck I bagged. It's certainly not impossible. I'd probably worry first about getting a bag in place...you really can ride without shocks for a bit in the rear if worst came to worst. lol.

I'd like to keep it as close to stock as possible, just in case I need to return it to stock if I ever sell it. But, I think I can use a subframe mount to anchor the top mount mount for an isolated bag.

I really need to get it up on a lift and so some measurements for myself.

[JRodigan]

More questions!!!! Sorry.

So I have a couple questions for the front.

I was thinking about not wanting to go through the hassle of fabbing the mounts with the builder kit, and about using a pair of Koni Adjustable struts that are already made for my car and placing an Aero sport bag over those. It would be essentially the same thing right?

Next question, what is the difference between these two aside from the extended height? Or is there any? And if the above plan is solid, which you would suggest for my setup?

http://bagriders.com/modlab/products/AIR-HOUSE-2-AERO-SPORT.html

http://bagriders.com/modlab/products/AERO-SPORT.html

Sorry for my ignorance, just want to get this all figured out! Thanks.

[Alex@BagRiders]

You can definitely just slap an Aero Sport on Koni struts that were made for your car. By slapping them on, I mean you have to weld the lower Aero Sport bracket to the strut body but that's not the end of the world. I don't recommend welding on struts (for liabilities sake) but I've been told that when welding on struts, make sure you don't weld for anymore than 10 seconds at a time and let it cool fully before starting another 5-10 second weld.

The Aero Sport and the Air House 2 Aero sports are really similar but like you mentioned the difference. is in the extended height. The pressures will also be different when comparing the bags at the same extended height. The Air House 2 Aero Sports, since they are a smaller bag, will run at a higher pressure than the original Aero Sport. For your car, I would recommend steering away from the Air House 2 Aero Sports. I think it would be a little too stiff.

[JRodigan]

You can definitely just slap an Aero Sport on Koni struts that were made for your car. By slapping them on, I mean you have to weld the lower Aero Sport bracket to the strut body but that's not the end of the world. I don't recommend welding on struts (for liabilities sake) but I've been told that when welding on struts, make sure you don't weld for anymore than 10 seconds at a time and let it cool fully before starting another 5-10 second weld.

The Aero Sport and the Air House 2 Aero sports are really similar but like you mentioned the difference. is in the extended height. The pressures will also be different when comparing the bags at the same extended height. The Air House 2 Aero Sports, since they are a smaller bag, will run at a higher pressure than the original Aero Sport. For your car, I would recommend steering away from the Air House 2 Aero Sports. I think it would be a little too stiff.

Thank you very much. Huge help.