Date: 7 Jul 2005 19:38:45 GMT From: Dave Hinz <DaveHinznospamcop.net> Subject: Re: Saab 99 gearbox gasket or not?
On Thu, 7 Jul 2005 20:28:21 +0200, Richard NL <rootnospamlhost> wrote: > "Dave Hinz" <DaveHinznospamcop.net> wrote in message > news:3j58o3Fodp5cU1nospamvidual.net... > . > . > >> > 2: loosen all the gearbox bolts and get only the engine out, as this > saves >> > me the hassle of removing driveshafts etc. >> >> The driveshafts "hassle" totals two bolts for the lower ball joints per >> side, maybe the shock absorber, and that's _it_. You'll also have to >> undo the speedo cable and shift linkage. It's a whole lot easier to get >> at the important bits when the engine and tranny are out as a unit. >> > > Dave, > > are the driveshafts not bolted to the gearbox? I thought 4 bolts each? Nope, it's a 3-lobed driver going into the drive cups. Undo the clamps on the rubber boots right at the tranny, undo the lower a-arm bolts at the balljoint, slide the balljoint outwards. I did the shocks at the same time but I'm not sure it's needed. > And I also have to disconnect the steering rods, right? Nope. Plenty of room to get the shaft ends out of the drive cups without that. > Take both wheels off and put something underneath the car... Well, yes, the road wheels being off make getting to the ball joint bolts much easier, so jack stands under the car will work the trick. I usually use the shaft making the cross-bar on the "A" arm. > Drain the oil from the gearbox too... No reason to; you'll keep it horizontal. > If you take both shafts out, what happens to the differential thing in > there? Or is that only an issue with the 900 gearboxes? Same gearbox for all practical purposes. You're not taking the inner drivers out, you're taking the driveshaft out of them. Slides right in/out. > Gearbox is only 12 hassles (bolts) total. Yeah, but you have to get the exhaust manifold out of the way, remove the starter (if a B-engine) to get at the 3 or 4 under there, and a whole lot of leaning over to get at things that are very easy to access if you have the whole thing out. Not to mention the two bolts upwards through the back of the tranny case into the back of the block. Those are a bitch. Don't forget the long bolt behind the flywheel, going upwards, that is longer than the space you have to remove it, and so on. > And the other option counts up to 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = ehm .. 22 > hassles (bolts) > Voila: the reason for my question. Pull it as a unit, you won't regret it. I've done it both ways, and there's no question. > Besides: the gearboxbolts are all nice and greasy, whereas the the ball > joint bolts look a lot harder. You might be surprised. >> > The question is: >> > Is 2: an option? And if yes: Is there a gasket between the engine and > the >> > gearbox? >> >> Not a good one, and I've seen gaskets but I always use a good grade of >> RTV on that joint. Which is very tricky to get done properly if you're >> fighting that joint with one in the car and one not in the car. The oil >> strainer has to go in the sump, while you control descent of the engine >> without smearing things, while you're avoiding the firewall at the >> alternator bracket, while you're standing at an unnatural angle using >> muscles in inefficient ways. >> > > Hm... it doesnt seem that hard to me, but _I_ never did it before, so.... I guess it depends on if you're going to take the advice of several people who have been there and done that, or if you want to repeat the mistakes we've made and are advising you against. (shrug?) I've heard the saying that goes something like "Experience is learning from your own mistakes; wisdom is learning from the mistakes of others". >> Ask me how I know this... > > Ok then, if you insist: > "Hey Dave, how do you know this?" Don't ask... > I will have a close look, and reconsider. Maybe some of these images will help: http://www.davehinz.com/oldsite/saab/99turbo/ I don't have them annotated, but the pictures might help give you an idea what you'll find in there. I also notice that I never uploaded the installation pics, but as they say, it's more or less the reverse of removal. Dave Hinz
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