I bought a '75 99L with a bad head (dropped a valve seat and jammed the valve open) and butchered wiring harness from a 18-year-old kid who had gotten a VW bug to play with. He didn't really know what he was doing with the SAAB. His father was a Chevy guy. (I once worked in a SAAB-Chevy garage and most of the Chevy guys didn't understand SAABs.) After I finally got the car running, I discovered the transmission problems. Third gear synchro was completely gone. I could shift it without grinding if I was very gentle. Upon draining the transmission oil I found a whole lot of brass and pieces of the wire spring that goes inside of a sychro hub. I don't remember what oil I put in that time, but I changed the fluid about every six months. Every time I changed it I found more brass and more bits of wire. I have successfully used both AMSoil synthetic gear oil and petroleum gear oil with the Slick 50 additive and both seemed to quiet the transmission for a while. I nursed that transmission for three years before finally deciding that if I drove it anymore it was going to leave me standing on the side of the road. I now have another transmission from a rusted '77 99 to put into it. That one has only been driven around the neighborhood, but it seemed quiet and shifted smoothly.

If you can find a 4-speed from a late '77 or '78 99 or a '79-'80 900, those are chin driven and fairly reliable. If you opt for a 5-speed, go for one from a '89 or later 900, as they have beefier pinion bearings. There are other parts that are needed if you convert to the 5-speed. I have a list in an old Nines, but don't have it handy.

• Whining gear box on 72 99.........when will it explode?, Justin, Tue, 19 Dec 2000 20:04:00
  • Re: Whining gear box on 72 99.........when will it explode?, Andy in Portland, Wed, 20 Dec 2000 11:39:56 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Thanks Andy, already have spare box from 99T but......., Justin, Wed, 20 Dec 2000 20:26:49
      • 99T Strength, Andrew , Thu, 21 Dec 2000 06:15:51
  • Re: Whining gear box on 72 99.........when will it explode?, Andy in Portland, Wed, 20 Dec 2000 11:17:32
  • How many Kms, Justin?, JohnC, Wed, 20 Dec 2000 02:35:56
    • My car is pre-decimal...its in miles......(too many of them), Justin, Wed, 20 Dec 2000 03:27:44
      • Re: Slick 50, Andrew , Wed, 20 Dec 2000 05:30:54
        • Slick 50 thoughts in the heat, JohnC, Wed, 20 Dec 2000 18:39:01
          • Gear oil cooler will be handy for xmas day,35 C or 98F :-).., Justin, Wed, 20 Dec 2000 20:16:18
  • Re: Whining gear box on 72 99.........when will it explode?, dan , Wed, 20 Dec 2000 01:48:30
  • RE: How can I tell., BobD, Wed, 20 Dec 2000 00:58:52
    • Ya got a problem with youth driving?... :-), Justin, Wed, 20 Dec 2000 01:34:49
      • No, One particular youths driving style or lack of., BobD, Thu, 21 Dec 2000 01:20:19
        • Thats ok....I knew what you meant, I was just having a dig..., Justin, Thu, 21 Dec 2000 03:35:22
      • No, One particular youths driving style or lack of., BobD, Thu, 21 Dec 2000 01:12:47
  • Re: Whining gear box on 72 99.........when will it explode?, Dave Westlake, Tue, 19 Dec 2000 21:26:39

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