richpin, I love all your videos that have been very very helpful,,, however I do have a strange situation regarding mr car overheating. by that I mean when I start my car and idles for about 10 mins. or so,then the antifreeze continues to come out of the resevoir. everytime? why would that be? I changed the radiator and the water pump.
Sure the Saturn SL2 is not a perfect car, as no car is. The gaps between the body panels are necessary, the polymer plastic panels contract and expand more than sheet metal body panels. Road and wind noise are common to the SL2. I would describe the brakes as only adequate. There is no spring on the rear trunk lid so your trunk will slam down if you are not careful. I have owned my 96 SL2 since new and the only parts I have replaced are the alternator, coolant temp sensor and exhaust system.
I don’t think it was complaints that killed Saturn cars, it was bad management. They changed their philosophy and tried to make regular cars like other manufacturers and they got lost. They should have stuck to reliable, cheap and polymer plastic bodied vehicles made in America.
Every time I have the wheels off, or do an oil change, I give the control arm mounts a good dose of spray lube. If and when I have to have them off they should come out like yours. I hope!
The big problem there is to try to prevent the nuts in the subframe from breaking loose when you remove the bolts.Lots of penetrating oil weeks before the job and the impact wrench set on low to brake the rust will help.
So a clunking sound indicates a bad ball joint, which I don’t have. I do have a moderate to bad shake at 65 mph, but no noises or problems from the steering. I am going to replace the right inner and outer tie rods and also have the front brake rotors turned. These rotors were installed about one year ago and were the best quality and most expensive ($35.00 each ) from Autozone.
I have almost 170K on my 96 Saturn SL2, it still runs like a new car, has a few battles scars on the bodywork from Los Angeles commuting, AC still blows nice and cold with no problems since new, and I get 36 mpg on the highway. I do need to check the oil level every week, I always keep it topped off to the full line. The SL2 has not dripped one drop of oil in the driveway since new. (the first car I have ever owned that did not drip oil!)
What are the symptoms of bad bushings? I have a 1996 Saturn SL2 that I have never been able to get rid of the vibration at 65 mph. Even after many wheel balances, new tires and new brake jobs it still will shake at around 65 mph. Do Saturns have ball joints?
Hey Richpin, you read my mind. I have a ’98 SC2 which has a different setup but close enough! Thanks for the video. Any suggestions on replacing the power window regulator on the driver’s side? Same vehicle.
I hope I never have to do that job.
Bought an air chisel last week. Already found a few fun ways to use it. My air compressor is small… so I was hesitant to try air tools with only 2.5 gallons. But in short bursts my $15 air chisel works great.
I noticed you re-greased the control arm bolt, but didn’t mention it. I have a friend who’s wife is on her 3rd Saturn. He drives the second one, and they gave the 1st one to their daughter. The 1st one was t-boned by a transit bus, and repaired years ago and is now over 600,000km and still runs great.
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@richpin06 the bolt end that is a killer to remove, is that a bushing to replace, also? Or not
What i heard was a slight clunking over rough roads and dirt driveway.
So what are the symptoms that suggest you need to replace the control arm bushings?
It could be the cap on the expansion tank is not sealing.
richpin, I love all your videos that have been very very helpful,,, however I do have a strange situation regarding mr car overheating. by that I mean when I start my car and idles for about 10 mins. or so,then the antifreeze continues to come out of the resevoir. everytime? why would that be? I changed the radiator and the water pump.
Im all prevention minded. what other bushing, lubing or checks needs 2b done since the car is pull apart?
The only way to tell is get under there and check things out.
Hi I have saturn sc2 coupe and problem is every I hit a bump or small holes its making a crucking I wonder? Whitch one should I fix ?
Sure the Saturn SL2 is not a perfect car, as no car is. The gaps between the body panels are necessary, the polymer plastic panels contract and expand more than sheet metal body panels. Road and wind noise are common to the SL2. I would describe the brakes as only adequate. There is no spring on the rear trunk lid so your trunk will slam down if you are not careful. I have owned my 96 SL2 since new and the only parts I have replaced are the alternator, coolant temp sensor and exhaust system.
I heard people complaining about the wide gaps between the panels……please.
I don’t think it was complaints that killed Saturn cars, it was bad management. They changed their philosophy and tried to make regular cars like other manufacturers and they got lost. They should have stuck to reliable, cheap and polymer plastic bodied vehicles made in America.
That is a great idea.It is very difficult to loosen a bolt in a few minutes that has been in one place for 8-10 years.
Every time I have the wheels off, or do an oil change, I give the control arm mounts a good dose of spray lube. If and when I have to have them off they should come out like yours. I hope!
The big problem there is to try to prevent the nuts in the subframe from breaking loose when you remove the bolts.Lots of penetrating oil weeks before the job and the impact wrench set on low to brake the rust will help.
So a clunking sound indicates a bad ball joint, which I don’t have. I do have a moderate to bad shake at 65 mph, but no noises or problems from the steering. I am going to replace the right inner and outer tie rods and also have the front brake rotors turned. These rotors were installed about one year ago and were the best quality and most expensive ($35.00 each ) from Autozone.
The support bushings that hold the bar to the subframe.
Who were these people that complained about it so they stop manufacturing.
Over rough ground you can hear a clunk.
$19 WOW that is a bargain.
I have almost 170K on my 96 Saturn SL2, it still runs like a new car, has a few battles scars on the bodywork from Los Angeles commuting, AC still blows nice and cold with no problems since new, and I get 36 mpg on the highway. I do need to check the oil level every week, I always keep it topped off to the full line. The SL2 has not dripped one drop of oil in the driveway since new. (the first car I have ever owned that did not drip oil!)
What are the symptoms of bad bushings? I have a 1996 Saturn SL2 that I have never been able to get rid of the vibration at 65 mph. Even after many wheel balances, new tires and new brake jobs it still will shake at around 65 mph. Do Saturns have ball joints?
if you like it quick and dirty, you could burn the bushing out with a torch
For $19 you can replace the whole arm @ rockauto. I’ve had them on my car with quite a few miles no problems.
Mine are still find after 170,000 miles.
Yeah, I realized that from the regulator I pulled out of another one
Hey Rich, should have also done something about the sway bar to frame bushings being replaced. After over 270k miles, mine are just about shot.
The control arm looks just like a Ford design
I have not replaced one but i know you have to drill out the rivets that hold them in.
I’ve learned a lot about my SC2 from your videos so again thanks a bunch.
Hey Richpin, you read my mind. I have a ’98 SC2 which has a different setup but close enough! Thanks for the video. Any suggestions on replacing the power window regulator on the driver’s side? Same vehicle.
They do come in handy.
Yes i put fresh grease on the bolt before i put it back on.
Smashing tutorial 🙂
Really like the winch to take the pressure off, nice touch 🙂
I hope I never have to do that job.
Bought an air chisel last week. Already found a few fun ways to use it. My air compressor is small… so I was hesitant to try air tools with only 2.5 gallons. But in short bursts my $15 air chisel works great.
Great video Rich! I like that “Craftsman” cheater bar!!
I noticed you re-greased the control arm bolt, but didn’t mention it. I have a friend who’s wife is on her 3rd Saturn. He drives the second one, and they gave the 1st one to their daughter. The 1st one was t-boned by a transit bus, and repaired years ago and is now over 600,000km and still runs great.
They still are a nice little car.
Frame bushing…..which one is that.
Nice vid, I hate to see you using Duralast parts but thanks for the Info. Any special trick to the frame bushings? I have to do them soon.