1986 Saab 900 Turbo - White
Discussion
I've enjoyed reading this thread, I had a 1989 900T16 about 20 years ago and never had any of the issues you had but it was only 10 years old at the time, it's great to see an early one getting some love, I've recently bought a 9-3 Cab Turbo for summer and I'm gradually sorting its niggles out.
Jazoli said:
I've enjoyed reading this thread, I had a 1989 900T16 about 20 years ago and never had any of the issues you had but it was only 10 years old at the time, it's great to see an early one getting some love, I've recently bought a 9-3 Cab Turbo for summer and I'm gradually sorting its niggles out.
Love the idea of a cab for summer, but I'm already fully booked on time and money with the current fleet. a rusty sunroof will have to suffice!The 900 passed its MOT, but only just and definitely some further work to be tackled in the near term.
First I refitted a slightly glued missing horn button. It was still intermittent but looked a lot better.
I also chipped off any rusty scabs, and applied Bilt Hamber products in the correctly ascending order in an effort to tidy up what I had uncovered. I thought Nelson's tester near Acton had a balanced, realistic approach to classics. Sadly not.
It failed. On various items like 'dim stop lamps', 'right indicator arm needs to be held' and 'intermittent horn button'. Also jacking point rust (which was there last year) provided a red mark on the report. This required a temporary fix, and Nelson kindly swapped some bulbed plus the steering wheel (!) to get it through the test, all for a very reasonable sum.
So I have a 900 but clearly some work to do at ground level before I get carried away with exhausts and paint this year.
This was the Monday of the 'large deluge' in London which left several vehicles flailing and inoperable on the route home. The Saab shrugged off the floodwaters without a glance.
So... MIG welding courses then....
I'm a strong believer that working on a car yourself strengthens the bond between owners and four-tyred carriage.
Two items in particular always feature prominently for me - getting new number plates and replacing the steering wheel.
For the Saab, its (1984 dealer option) ItalVolanti Corsa four spoke leather wheel was a big factor in my wife's attraction to it, embossed SAAB logo and all. It wore all of its years and we occasionally entertained the notion of having it retrimmed when the seats were done.
Here it is on the day of purchase:
Unfortunately the past few years have revealed the inherent fragility of the horn buttons (see posts passim) and the creeping necrosis of the leather. Following a battle with the last MOT station that 'only one button worked intermittently', I went on the hunt for a suitable replacement.
Fortunately, a 1987 model for a Mercedes came up. Only downside was that it was in Cornwall... and I was most definitely NOT buying another wheel with broken horn buttons!
Last week my wife and I took our first holiday in a long little while to... Cornwall. We also happened to pass Bespoke Traders (I know, the name makes my eye twitch to this day), and took a look. I had removed our wheel to triple check it would fit the boss. Surely reached the tensile limit of these little allen keys!
A slight talk and haggle later it was secured, with my obsessive button pushing unsettling the shopowner a tad. Importantly, when I told the story they said I could return it within 30 days if not suitable - no question asked. Nice.
Today I had a few hours to play with the new wheel - each moment hoping its factory-fresh condition indicated the buttons and wiring were in order, not 'neutered for display purposes only'!
A few allen screws later... this is looking good...
The only different was the 'two wire' setup, rather than the original single spade. A quick check of grounds and relays wensured operation if an earth was added to the boss. A few crimps later... success! A new earth and all the buttons work perfectly! Factory fresh, fortunately on all four corners. Take that, grumbly MOT tester.
I fitted the original SAAB central section as although it is black on not dark grey, the car has these two shades in the interior already.
My wife, and I, are very happy indeed. Very expensive, but as we all know every once in a while you have to make these kind of purchases for your project to give an octane boost to the motivation reservoir.
Two items in particular always feature prominently for me - getting new number plates and replacing the steering wheel.
For the Saab, its (1984 dealer option) ItalVolanti Corsa four spoke leather wheel was a big factor in my wife's attraction to it, embossed SAAB logo and all. It wore all of its years and we occasionally entertained the notion of having it retrimmed when the seats were done.
Here it is on the day of purchase:
Unfortunately the past few years have revealed the inherent fragility of the horn buttons (see posts passim) and the creeping necrosis of the leather. Following a battle with the last MOT station that 'only one button worked intermittently', I went on the hunt for a suitable replacement.
Fortunately, a 1987 model for a Mercedes came up. Only downside was that it was in Cornwall... and I was most definitely NOT buying another wheel with broken horn buttons!
Last week my wife and I took our first holiday in a long little while to... Cornwall. We also happened to pass Bespoke Traders (I know, the name makes my eye twitch to this day), and took a look. I had removed our wheel to triple check it would fit the boss. Surely reached the tensile limit of these little allen keys!
A slight talk and haggle later it was secured, with my obsessive button pushing unsettling the shopowner a tad. Importantly, when I told the story they said I could return it within 30 days if not suitable - no question asked. Nice.
Today I had a few hours to play with the new wheel - each moment hoping its factory-fresh condition indicated the buttons and wiring were in order, not 'neutered for display purposes only'!
A few allen screws later... this is looking good...
The only different was the 'two wire' setup, rather than the original single spade. A quick check of grounds and relays wensured operation if an earth was added to the boss. A few crimps later... success! A new earth and all the buttons work perfectly! Factory fresh, fortunately on all four corners. Take that, grumbly MOT tester.
I fitted the original SAAB central section as although it is black on not dark grey, the car has these two shades in the interior already.
My wife, and I, are very happy indeed. Very expensive, but as we all know every once in a while you have to make these kind of purchases for your project to give an octane boost to the motivation reservoir.
I couldn't agree more about how working on cars helps the feeling of affection towards them. Even if it sometimes feels like the cars don't appreciate it!
The wheel is lovely. I always think it's worth spending money on the bits of the car you touch the most.
Looking forward to see how you get on with welding. 20+ years ago i did a two week welding course but have not picked up any of the tools since. It looks like the technology has really moved on. Modern welding visors look much easier to use.
The wheel is lovely. I always think it's worth spending money on the bits of the car you touch the most.
Looking forward to see how you get on with welding. 20+ years ago i did a two week welding course but have not picked up any of the tools since. It looks like the technology has really moved on. Modern welding visors look much easier to use.
Cambs_Stuart said:
20+ years ago i did a two week welding course but have not picked up any of the tools since. It looks like the technology has really moved on. Modern welding visors look much easier to use.
I will let you know for sure - sadly my friend has had to cancel given work commitments in his workshop but I'll be taking friday to make a full & frank assessment of work to be done. I may also prod the MIG welding sites others have sent me thus far...900sAds said:
That wheel looks great - the outer rim, looks like my Nardi steering wheel in my 900c.
Not sure if you have someone lined up for paint, but my car is booked into a bodyshop for a new wing in October and some paintwork. He seemed to know his way around Saabs.
Yes that's a good point - very 'Nardi' motif, the black band and leather centre actually gives it a more 80s/90s feel somehow, as opposed to a wood & spokes 60s 'Moto Lita' type.Not sure if you have someone lined up for paint, but my car is booked into a bodyshop for a new wing in October and some paintwork. He seemed to know his way around Saabs.
I would be very interested in any paint shop for a 900. Quotes and quality are all over the place. Our will never be a show car, but I would like the paint to stay on!
In August after the steering wheel replacement, we jumped in the Saab on a whim and headed to Whitstable, aiming for fish and chips on the beach on a balmy Sunday.
All accomplished without an issue, until the return M25 journey turned even noisier than is usual dreadful cacophony. The hum changed with speed but not engine rpm or brakes... the telltale of wheel bearing....
I have a fear of wheel bearing disintegrating ever since a scary little chapter in a 1.6 Capri I had, so I called time on Saab use until they could be sorted. Nelson at NDS has a slot in late October...no problem. I checked nothing else had play, was leaking or was loose - fortunately all was well.
Sadly the slot was two days after the damn ULEZ dropped its arbitrary iron curtain on road users, so I duly paid 12.50 and set off early one morning for NDS Saab.
A slight rattling from the APC system turned out to be the customary loose connection/damp in in the connection to the box, so that was sorted with ease. The Saab, despite being covered in autumnal detritus, grime and cobwebs wound up on the first crank, hopefully thanks to all the attention lavished on it in these pages.
Dropped off with Nelson, no issues in the operation to replace both fronts, and picked up again in the evening. Significantly quieter all round, and now I can finally start on that rust!
The drive home was sublime, even in central London with all the other crackpots and aggression - the Saab now has such a well-poised and predictable gait, the turbo responsive when some recent design abortion attempts to undertake you, and everything in the cabin just...works. The size allows you to squeeze into gaps with ease, the large bumpers confidence others will back off. Really loving having this car back. I may even wash it before we break out the power tools.
All accomplished without an issue, until the return M25 journey turned even noisier than is usual dreadful cacophony. The hum changed with speed but not engine rpm or brakes... the telltale of wheel bearing....
I have a fear of wheel bearing disintegrating ever since a scary little chapter in a 1.6 Capri I had, so I called time on Saab use until they could be sorted. Nelson at NDS has a slot in late October...no problem. I checked nothing else had play, was leaking or was loose - fortunately all was well.
Sadly the slot was two days after the damn ULEZ dropped its arbitrary iron curtain on road users, so I duly paid 12.50 and set off early one morning for NDS Saab.
A slight rattling from the APC system turned out to be the customary loose connection/damp in in the connection to the box, so that was sorted with ease. The Saab, despite being covered in autumnal detritus, grime and cobwebs wound up on the first crank, hopefully thanks to all the attention lavished on it in these pages.
Dropped off with Nelson, no issues in the operation to replace both fronts, and picked up again in the evening. Significantly quieter all round, and now I can finally start on that rust!
The drive home was sublime, even in central London with all the other crackpots and aggression - the Saab now has such a well-poised and predictable gait, the turbo responsive when some recent design abortion attempts to undertake you, and everything in the cabin just...works. The size allows you to squeeze into gaps with ease, the large bumpers confidence others will back off. Really loving having this car back. I may even wash it before we break out the power tools.
There's some fine titivation going on here. The re-stretched fabric on the door card is particularly satisfying for me. It reminds me of the spectacular renovation of the Rover 3500 roof lining undertaken in 1275GT's family living room -- with a team effort from his parents!
It's due a paint job now -- I do have the details of a 'Man' in East London that was ventured to me by some members of the MB Club as he has done excellent work for them in the past. It is in East London, however, which us SW Londoners (I think that you're around here/there) know is a hell of a schleck. However, it's not your daily and you can't top a recommendation.
It's due a paint job now -- I do have the details of a 'Man' in East London that was ventured to me by some members of the MB Club as he has done excellent work for them in the past. It is in East London, however, which us SW Londoners (I think that you're around here/there) know is a hell of a schleck. However, it's not your daily and you can't top a recommendation.
Good update, as always!
25 years ago I had a mk3 escort where the front driver's side wheel bearing suddenly went from slightly noisy to utterly failed in the fast lane of the M25. Since then I've always hated any unplanned noises from cars.
The under bonnet shots and interior shots of the saab are looking great.
25 years ago I had a mk3 escort where the front driver's side wheel bearing suddenly went from slightly noisy to utterly failed in the fast lane of the M25. Since then I've always hated any unplanned noises from cars.
The under bonnet shots and interior shots of the saab are looking great.
Thansk all!
All painter recommendations welcome. There's no way we can afford a full paint job and really any effort should go on the underside, but locallised panel work at a decent price would be welcome.
bolidemichael said:
There's some fine titivation going on here. The re-stretched fabric on the door card is particularly satisfying for me. It reminds me of the spectacular renovation of the Rover 3500 roof lining undertaken in 1275GT's family living room -- with a team effort from his parents!
It's due a paint job now -- I do have the details of a 'Man' in East London that was ventured to me by some members of the MB Club as he has done excellent work for them in the past. It is in East London, however, which us SW Londoners (I think that you're around here/there) know is a hell of a schleck. However, it's not your daily and you can't top a recommendation.
Oh yes I love that thread, and the final result was, as always with his work, aspirational. I do have a complete headlining in the garage I bought over 2 years ago, but I just need to purge any rust, redo the wiring for the rear screen, track down all the correct clips... you know how it goes...It's due a paint job now -- I do have the details of a 'Man' in East London that was ventured to me by some members of the MB Club as he has done excellent work for them in the past. It is in East London, however, which us SW Londoners (I think that you're around here/there) know is a hell of a schleck. However, it's not your daily and you can't top a recommendation.
All painter recommendations welcome. There's no way we can afford a full paint job and really any effort should go on the underside, but locallised panel work at a decent price would be welcome.
Cambs_Stuart said:
Good update, as always!
25 years ago I had a mk3 escort where the front driver's side wheel bearing suddenly went from slightly noisy to utterly failed in the fast lane of the M25. Since then I've always hated any unplanned noises from cars.
The under bonnet shots and interior shots of the saab are looking great.
Exactly - never want to experience anything like that ever again! 25 years ago I had a mk3 escort where the front driver's side wheel bearing suddenly went from slightly noisy to utterly failed in the fast lane of the M25. Since then I've always hated any unplanned noises from cars.
The under bonnet shots and interior shots of the saab are looking great.
Spinakerr said:
Thansk all!
All painter recommendations welcome. There's no way we can afford a full paint job and really any effort should go on the underside, but locallised panel work at a decent price would be welcome.
I cannot PM you, so you'll have to PM me and I'll share the details.
bolidemichael said:
There's some fine titivation going on here. The re-stretched fabric on the door card is particularly satisfying for me. It reminds me of the spectacular renovation of the Rover 3500 roof lining undertaken in 1275GT's family living room -- with a team effort from his parents!
It's due a paint job now -- I do have the details of a 'Man' in East London that was ventured to me by some members of the MB Club as he has done excellent work for them in the past. It is in East London, however, which us SW Londoners (I think that you're around here/there) know is a hell of a schleck. However, it's not your daily and you can't top a recommendation.
Oh yes I love that thread, and the final result was, as always with his work, aspirational. I do have a complete headlining in the garage I bought over 2 years ago, but I just need to purge any rust, redo the wiring for the rear screen, track down all the correct clips... you know how it goes...It's due a paint job now -- I do have the details of a 'Man' in East London that was ventured to me by some members of the MB Club as he has done excellent work for them in the past. It is in East London, however, which us SW Londoners (I think that you're around here/there) know is a hell of a schleck. However, it's not your daily and you can't top a recommendation.
All painter recommendations welcome. There's no way we can afford a full paint job and really any effort should go on the underside, but locallised panel work at a decent price would be welcome.
I cannot PM you, so you'll have to PM me and I'll share the details.
curvature said:
I've just read all 17 pages. Keep up the good work!
Hey thanks - glad to hear its of interest, sorry the ending at present leave a bit to be desired but we are getting there.One long-term issue sorted - the exhaust. As long term /full thread readers will have picked up, the original exhaust was miserable, I collected various stainless steel items, added in an original Saab mild steel item as a stop-gap. In 2020 the whole system started crumbling with broken hangers, lpoor fitment, rust and the car's nemesis - speed bumps.
Having used Redhill Classics to finally sort out my Alfa 164, I booked the Saab in... with a bootfull of parts...
The rear twin 'Carlsson' section is from a reputed Saab parts dealer. The end looks good but the welds were atrocious - seriously miserable and messy. The back box was an old Scorpion item, and the other parts came from a Saab fanatic. The mid silencer was... not one - it was a straight pipe. All these sections had slightly mismatched diameters and odd hanger placement - sleeves and welding required...
Redhill took it in their stride - a custom central silencer, other parts adapted and hangers fixed, I was very happy to leave this:
And come back 12 hours later to this:
The car sounds superb - not rorty but no leaks, hisses and no more clunks or scraped over speed bumps.
Very happy indeed - and look how much better that twin pipe shineness is over the original 'vacuum cleaner extension' pipe!
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