SAAB 900 Classic Convertible
Discussion
Small update, finding it hard to get time in the garage. Finaly got part of the hood frame painted. First the paint wouldn't take, so i had to use primer. Then i painted it in gloss, which stuck out like a sore thumb. Finaly repainted it in satin black. I thought this job would've took me 5 minutes....
Removed the osf wheel, but ran out of time to change the flexi. It's on the jack and a stand, so i'll change it when i'm next in the garage. No issues i spotted under the arch ( the damp patch is GT85 sprayed on to the flexi ends )
Had a good look and checked out the osf factory jacking point. Some of the rubber paint ( from when is was rustproofed by Dinitrol) is flaking off. I'll clean this up and repaint whilst it's in the air.
Checked the pressure in the space saver ( it was flat having never been used ) and it's holding pressure after tightening the valve.
Also, stripped one of the electric motors for the windows, cleaned out the old grease and repacked. Had to drill the rivets outs and retap with m5 bolts. I'll do this to the second motor when it arrives too. Also need to get the 2 x window regulators fixed.
As i've been saying for months, the next job is to fit the 5 new flexi hoses. Then re install the new window regulators / motors and replace the plastic arch trim ( i have a new trim ).
Any tips on fitting the new arch?
Thanks for looking.
Removed the osf wheel, but ran out of time to change the flexi. It's on the jack and a stand, so i'll change it when i'm next in the garage. No issues i spotted under the arch ( the damp patch is GT85 sprayed on to the flexi ends )
Had a good look and checked out the osf factory jacking point. Some of the rubber paint ( from when is was rustproofed by Dinitrol) is flaking off. I'll clean this up and repaint whilst it's in the air.
Checked the pressure in the space saver ( it was flat having never been used ) and it's holding pressure after tightening the valve.
Also, stripped one of the electric motors for the windows, cleaned out the old grease and repacked. Had to drill the rivets outs and retap with m5 bolts. I'll do this to the second motor when it arrives too. Also need to get the 2 x window regulators fixed.
As i've been saying for months, the next job is to fit the 5 new flexi hoses. Then re install the new window regulators / motors and replace the plastic arch trim ( i have a new trim ).
Any tips on fitting the new arch?
Thanks for looking.
Been incredibly lazy of late, but it's time to get back in the game. My old O/S/F arch trim was cracked.
I bought a new one a few years back when Saab were still on the go. I scraped off some of the old underseal to make sure i got a good tight fit for the new arch.
Repainted the underside of the arch with underseal. I also found 2 small scabs which i treated with Krust and painted with Hammerite.
While the wheel was off, i checked the piston on the caliper was moving freely, painted it black, and fitted the new flexi. Drained the old brake fluid, and ezi bled with fresh fluid.
While the motivation was strong, i removed the near side caliper. To cut a long story short, i've broke the bleed nipple off. I then broke a torx bit in the nipple trying to remove it.
Don't know if i'll be cheaper getting someone to remove the broken nipple or to buy a new caliper?
I've also bought this to mess around with.
Hoping to get at least 1 day a week in the garage over the next few months. I want the Saab finished for Summer starting.
Thank you for looking.
I bought a new one a few years back when Saab were still on the go. I scraped off some of the old underseal to make sure i got a good tight fit for the new arch.
Repainted the underside of the arch with underseal. I also found 2 small scabs which i treated with Krust and painted with Hammerite.
While the wheel was off, i checked the piston on the caliper was moving freely, painted it black, and fitted the new flexi. Drained the old brake fluid, and ezi bled with fresh fluid.
While the motivation was strong, i removed the near side caliper. To cut a long story short, i've broke the bleed nipple off. I then broke a torx bit in the nipple trying to remove it.
Don't know if i'll be cheaper getting someone to remove the broken nipple or to buy a new caliper?
I've also bought this to mess around with.
Hoping to get at least 1 day a week in the garage over the next few months. I want the Saab finished for Summer starting.
Thank you for looking.
New ( secondhand ) caliper arrived during the week. Checked it over, painted and fitted today along with the new flexi. Got the caliper bleeded too, Just need to give it a second coat and i can get the wheel back on.
Touched up the Dinitrol with 25 year old Waxoyl and bled the system with Halfords fluid. No expense spared!
Next on the list is to replace the 3 rear brake flexis. Then build up the doors ( i stripped out the window regulators and motors for repair last year ). Should get a few hours done tomorrow after the G.P.
Touched up the Dinitrol with 25 year old Waxoyl and bled the system with Halfords fluid. No expense spared!
Next on the list is to replace the 3 rear brake flexis. Then build up the doors ( i stripped out the window regulators and motors for repair last year ). Should get a few hours done tomorrow after the G.P.
SebastienClement said:
Top work, and a lovely car 
Thank you.After watching the F1, i got a few hours on the car. Gave the N/S/F caliper a second coat and got the wheel back on.
I can't remember if i mentioned at the start of the thread that the 2 front electric windows were slow and lazy ( it must be contagious ). This fault is common on 900's. The teeth on the regulators wear ( very similar to the problem on the Porsche 911 rear spoiler that featured on " Wheeler Dealer " ).
Earlier ( around Xmas i think ) i stripped, cleaned and rebuilt the 2 window motors. The regulators were repaired with new teeth welded into the quadrant. Today, i dug them out, and cleaned all the joints out with carb cleaner, then regreased them. I'll hopefully get them fitted soon.
Made a start on changing the O/S/R flexi, and that's where it sarted going wrong. Got the caliper off OK. Where the flexi joins the metal prake pipe is pretty corroded and the nut is rounding off. I've wire brushed it and soaked it plus gas but i think this is just wishful thinking. I think i'll have to cut and join in some new brake pipe. I've never worked with brake pipes before, so i'll read up on it.
Although it sometimes feels like 2 steps forward, 3 steps back, the " To Do list " is definately getting shorter.
Thanks for the comments and i appreciate any advice given.
Looking good! 
I changed the electric window winders to manual ones on my father's 900i because they were so problematic. Touch wood the ones on my T16S have been faultless thus far...
Brake lines are dead easy but don't skimp on the flaring kit - most of the cheap kits are pretty rubbish, in terms of longevity and ease of use.
Oh, and don't forget to fit the connectors BEFORE you flare!!
I changed the electric window winders to manual ones on my father's 900i because they were so problematic. Touch wood the ones on my T16S have been faultless thus far...
Brake lines are dead easy but don't skimp on the flaring kit - most of the cheap kits are pretty rubbish, in terms of longevity and ease of use.
Oh, and don't forget to fit the connectors BEFORE you flare!!
I've been lucky with this car. It has been garaged every night since new, was Dinitrol'd from new, and has been generally looked after and serviced once a year. The only problems i've been having is with the rear axle area.
I already had one side of the rear brake pipe off last weekend. This weekend i started on the N/S/R. The pipe is fine, but where it connects to the T piece in the middle and the flexi at the caliper is corroded. Access is tight in this area too. After trying every tool in the box, i resorted to hacksawing the pipes off.
I have a friend that runs a workshop so i'll get him to make up some new sections. Saves me buying a flaring kit that i will seldom use.
The rear axle itself is quite rusty although it's only surface rust. I got most of this wire brushed today with the grinder and paint with some Aldis special offer paint!
Four new nipples arrived through the week so that i can change the existing manky ones.
Last job today was shearing a nipple off the O/S/R caliper! After that i tidied up and called it a day.
Cheapo paint for the back axle and 4 x stainless bleed nipples.
Rusty rear axle.
Is this a generic T piece or will it be a Saab only part?
I'm only off the one day next week, so progess will be slow ( as usual).
And finally, i'm looking for a dark grey / black leather interior, gear knob and gaitor and steering wheel. Also a wind deflector. Give me a shout if you know of any these parts for sale.
Thanks for reading.
I already had one side of the rear brake pipe off last weekend. This weekend i started on the N/S/R. The pipe is fine, but where it connects to the T piece in the middle and the flexi at the caliper is corroded. Access is tight in this area too. After trying every tool in the box, i resorted to hacksawing the pipes off.
I have a friend that runs a workshop so i'll get him to make up some new sections. Saves me buying a flaring kit that i will seldom use.
The rear axle itself is quite rusty although it's only surface rust. I got most of this wire brushed today with the grinder and paint with some Aldis special offer paint!
Four new nipples arrived through the week so that i can change the existing manky ones.
Last job today was shearing a nipple off the O/S/R caliper! After that i tidied up and called it a day.
Cheapo paint for the back axle and 4 x stainless bleed nipples.
Rusty rear axle.
Is this a generic T piece or will it be a Saab only part?
I'm only off the one day next week, so progess will be slow ( as usual).
And finally, i'm looking for a dark grey / black leather interior, gear knob and gaitor and steering wheel. Also a wind deflector. Give me a shout if you know of any these parts for sale.
Thanks for reading.
No pictures, but what a disgrace. I haven't touched the Saab since my last post ( April last year i think ). The car was up on stands, wheels and rear calipers off, door cards and other parts hanging off. Junk had also gathered alongside, on top and in front of the car meaning i couldn't even walk round the car. Since my last post i've also bought another old project motorbike and various bits of ebay tat.
Today i got the 4 wheels back on, and lowered the car back to the ground and cleared enough junk away so i could reverse out and get the garage back in to shape. I've had the battery on charge every now and again and the old Saab started first turn of the key. It idled roughly for 30 seconds then settled down ok.
The bad news is there is no clutch pedal and a pool of fluid under the engine. I haven't had a proper look but i'm 99% sure the slave cylinder has gone. With a quick search online, it looks a pretty awkward job requiring a few special tools. I'll have a proper read up when i get some spare time.
Now that the enthusiasm is back, the plan now is to get the garage ship shape and make some space so i can get back to working on the car and bike. I'm hoping to be back on the tools this time next week.
Please post if you have any words of wisdom concerning the slave cylinder and thanks for reading.
Today i got the 4 wheels back on, and lowered the car back to the ground and cleared enough junk away so i could reverse out and get the garage back in to shape. I've had the battery on charge every now and again and the old Saab started first turn of the key. It idled roughly for 30 seconds then settled down ok.
The bad news is there is no clutch pedal and a pool of fluid under the engine. I haven't had a proper look but i'm 99% sure the slave cylinder has gone. With a quick search online, it looks a pretty awkward job requiring a few special tools. I'll have a proper read up when i get some spare time.
Now that the enthusiasm is back, the plan now is to get the garage ship shape and make some space so i can get back to working on the car and bike. I'm hoping to be back on the tools this time next week.
Please post if you have any words of wisdom concerning the slave cylinder and thanks for reading.
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