I had an experience recently that could be instructive on the frequent synchro failures in 9000s.

I thought my clutch system was in a state of imminent failure. The pedal feel was horrible and the friction point was about an inch off the floor. During release, the pedal would stick somtimes, with almost 2 inches of useless travel before any actuation occurred. There was and still is a very slow hydraulic fluid leak that I thought was indicative of a failing slave cylinder.

However, it seemed that the clutch was working well enough because I could still shift at a stand-still, and there was no grinding unless I was being "sloppy" with the clutch. I had planned on replacing the entire system in the spring either way.

In fact, I was quite wrong. The problem was that the bracket that secures the master cylinder had broken in half, so there was only one of two bolts holding it in place. Therefore, every time I stepped on the clutch, the master cylinder was being pushed down and backwards, and much of the potential pressure was lost in this movement. It also skewed the "angle of compression" for the master cylinder plunger, contributing to the poor pedal feel and the pedal sticking.

I braced the body of the cylinder against the metal bracket behind it, so it couldn't move. Suddenly my clutch system feels brand new again!

The point is that ease of shifting has also dramatically improved; Apparently the clutch plates were not completely disengaging, although it felt like they were. How could I tell if there wasn't even any grinding during hard shifts? Now, if I hold the clutch about 1-2 inches off of the floor, shifting feels exactly like it used to feel with the pedal ON the floor.

Judging by my experience, I think a poorly maintained clutch system could VERY easily ruin a transmission without anyone ever realizing it. I hate to think what kind of premature wear occured on my synchros.

Check your clutch!

-Kyle

posted by 24.60.138...

• Are older 9000's much more costlly to maintain then...., WLDock, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 21:21:05
  • A 9000 can be a money pit, or not..., Stephen Goldberger, Sat, 21 Dec 2002 01:03:33
  • Used 9000? Be wary of '92 and '93 >>>, Kyle, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 23:52:55
    • Re: My '92 vs your '91, bstan, Tue, 24 Dec 2002 19:56:56
      • You may be right, although I have Aero front struts >>>, Kyle, Tue, 24 Dec 2002 21:59:06
    • Hey Kyle ...., 91Aero.jr, Sat, 21 Dec 2002 08:33:31
      • Kyle's tranny is not better than most other SAABs->, roman, Sun, 22 Dec 2002 16:29:04
      • My transmission was replaced (surprise, surprise) >>>, Kyle, Sat, 21 Dec 2002 11:33:44
        • ZF ? Getrag ?..., 91Aero.jr, Sat, 21 Dec 2002 12:52:31
          • NO ZF ? Getrag ?..., Jan geert, Sun, 22 Dec 2002 05:52:10
          • Re: ZF ? Getrag ?..., George Tuma, Sun, 22 Dec 2002 00:32:12
            • Re: ZF ? Getrag ?..., claude, Sun, 22 Dec 2002 18:12:43
          • A marginal clutch system can ruin a transmission >>>, Kyle, Sat, 21 Dec 2002 18:03:33 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: Are older 9000's much more costlly to maintain then, rhale, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 21:43:45
  • Re: Are older 9000's much more costlly to maintain then...., George Tuma, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 21:40:08
    • Re: Are older 9000's much more costlly to maintain then...., John McMillin, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 22:32:53
      • I bought a used 91 after talking to the local indy Saab, Linda , Sat, 21 Dec 2002 09:39:02

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