The shadows of the past
A nice day in March. The sun is shining, the work goes well by the hand, and when you open the office window, you can hear the birds singing for joy in the spring. Perfect, right? But just when it seems perfect, the shadows lurk and wait for their chance. This often starts harmless. With a phone call for example.
When the workshop calls and says it's not a good day, it usually gets expensive. What happened? In the previous part of our adventurous Saab project, we included Skandix found a godfather for our station wagon. The parts came quickly, in Kiel they got down to work. Paul was soon to become a painter who had a free slot for our Saab.
The list for the workshop team was long, but with a lot of commitment and some overtime, Paul finished on time. A short test drive, and then our Saab 9-5 station wagon could switch to the next station. What sounds so harmless and simple shouldn't be like that. Paul drives, but not as expected.
Readers will probably remember the reason the 9-5 was put away back then. The clutch was the reason, it was said. But it did what it was supposed to do on the first, short test drive, but we discovered a defective turbocharger. Fair exchange, turbocharger instead of clutch? You can live with it, I thought.
And now? Aisles 1 to 4 separate them without any findings; in aisle 5 they begin to slip. The situation is clear, the shadows of the past are back. Paul was withdrawn from circulation because of a defective turbocharger plus defective clutch. He is now 17 years old, and a few years ago damage like this was another reason to slaughter a 150.000-kilometer vehicle. Back in the distant past, when there were still supplies and old station wagons were just old consumer goods.
That has changed thoroughly. From Trollhättan comes nothing more, even if at some point something should come, then it will not necessarily have anything to do with Paul's DNA. In addition, our Saab has only tender 150.000 km on the counter, which today may pass as almost factory fresh.
It does not help, a new clutch has to work. Orio makes sales with us, the budget melts like the snow in the sun, we would not ask Skandix again for support. We were already in the last one Chapter helped great, the project is still young, maybe we will need help again in the coming months.
The parts are ordered, the next morning they are in Kiel, the workshop team gives it all. In the meantime, the rust protection was refreshed, and when Paul rolls out of the workshop the next day, the test drive runs as desired. He drives, he brakes, he accelerates as intended. The suspension you can tell the new sockets for the Front, subframe, rear axle and shock absorber at. Driving style and appearance are now in stark contrast. Drives like a new car, looks like biotope? Does not work.
Okay, the Saab hasn't gotten nicer in the last few weeks, but it's technically up to date. Good thing, even if I cursed the project intensely after the clutch shock. We are on the right path!
What did we invest in this episode? The invoice includes a clutch kit (# 8781890), a slave cylinder (# 4925822) and small parts. Around € 500,00 went into the car project and of course the working hours are not included.
The story continues, and our Saab 9-5 station wagon named Paul is now rolling to the painter. In the meantime, we'll take care of a few other things in Paul's environment. We have some nice ideas for when Paul is on the street, and maybe we can get one or two sponsors interested in our project.
Sequel follows…
As a silent contributor I have to say, Paul is a great project. On Paul in Scön, I'm curious, possibly the project Saab role model to make other old 9-5 more popular?
I had to part with my ”Paul” after 290.000km with an engine failure a year ago. The successor was a 9/3 station wagon.
Not quite as loved, but now 170.000 km without quirks run .. 30.000 with me.
The old man was recently at the dealer in the yard in Neumünster. Lots of good parts are still there .... Fa. Possibly ask Timmler. Greetings from Helga Lütt
Thanks for the tip 🙂
Five-speed manual? Such a crap. Most of all, I bought the 9-5 with the gearbox, because in the 9-3, it kept practically 340000 km with the first clutch pads.
I experience very strong differences when it comes to the durability of the clutch (even with identical models) ... and I think that this is much less due to the material and more to the user. I would not deduce my own from another car that was driven by unknown people in terms of the durability of the clutch (and also that of other components involved).
I already had different Saab with original first clutches and over 300.000km (900 non turbo like turbo, also 9000 2.3 full turbo), as well as those with lower power levels and completely worn clutches at mileages well below 200.000km.
That would have Paule made more than halfway. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
The clutch was the unwanted, thick, easter egg in the nest, right? You are heroes, that you dare to the project! Maybe the Orio donates a nice Easter nest
Sure, 500 € hurt. 5000 € hurt really.
But what (hopefully) comes back on the road in the end is a powerful utility vehicle that is unrivaled! 🙂 If now (!) The driving condition - quote: Drives like a new car ... to such hymns, then the "exterior" is just (hopefully) a piece of cake.
The project can be an example of sustainability….
Let's see what the bottom line was for €, and a SAAB with 150000 Km was revived!
Verily, Happy Easter!
Thank you, mountain goat, for pointing out sustainability. Here we experience the term as it stands in the Duden, namely in the sense of durability, in this case through resource conservation. Today's cars seem to be designed to be practically devalued after a few years due to corrosion (e.g. the brand with the star) or functional failures of auxiliary units (e.g. the brand from the Bavarian capital) and then to be disposed of. Meanwhile, with “Paul”, we experience environmental protection through longevity and with a comparatively low commitment for the age and history of the car.
Also, the potential use of some low-power engines does not justify the scrapping of 1,7 tons of valuable raw materials. Thanks to the bloggers for the project.
Well, rust of our Saabs have usually enough, which is why I would not go too tough with Merc and BMW to Hart. That's the way it is with old stuff. He breaks down sometime, but also Merc and BMW are kept alive.
Hi Tom,
That's the way it is with the old sweethearts you want to keep alive. I also know a lot and give more money each year in the preservation of my SAABs than reason should allow. But what should it be? Hobby and passion are quality of life and I am happy about every received SAAB. If there is something missing, I would be willing to give something more.
Best Regards
Erik900
Hey Erik, that's the way it is. Surprises lurk in every corner. Thanks for the helpfulness, it looks like we can inspire 2, maybe even 3 Saab partners for the project. So we would still be in the green area!