1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Lisa, I have been a SAAB tech, working at the dealer, for the last seven years. this is what I have learned about SAAB brakes. first of all they work great, much better than some of the other product that I get to drive from time to time. second, keeping in mind I am refering to 94 and up 900/9-3/9-5, SAAB changed the front brakes on mid 97 900's. the front rotor thickness increased from 24 to 25 MM. the front pad friction material was also changed. this was evident due to the rotor wear that takes place. the pre 97 front brakes sufferd no such wear, and the rotors could be machined a couple of times, if neccesary( and its not allways neccessary). when SAAB increased the rotor thickness they did not change the discard dimention of 22 MM. they did change the minimum machine to spec. from 22.5 pre 97 to 23.5 for the 97 and newer. Its knowing all of these numbers that determines what steps are required when servicing any vehicles brake system. the 97 and up 900/9-3/9-5 wear ther brake rotors almost as fast as the pads. SAAB pads are 12 MM's thick when new, and SAAB recomends replacing them when they are worn to 5 MM or less. I have found that by this time the rotors are worn to less than the 23.5 MM minimum machine spec. with this rotor wear there are a couple of advantages, no corrosion will build up ( reducing braking effectivness) and the "self machining " that takes place during their life prevents any pulsations that afflict many other brands. some have suggested that you simply have new pads installed. this might work on the pre 97 cars, if there is no corrosion, no pulsations and the inner and outer surfaces are still parallel. a 97 and up rotor, when worn, will have a "dished" surface. putting new flat pads onto this "dished" surface will result in very little contact and poor braking. machining the rotors so it will have 2 parallel surfaces will work at first, however it won't be long before normal brake wear takes them below the 22 MM discard spec. as for the rear brakes on these cars there are two diferent designs, one of which the brake pads tend to seize and the rotors will corrode. if maintained with an annual service the rotors could be machined a couple of times as no real rotor wear takes place during normal operation. HTH, SAABTECH2
posted by 65.93.11...
, Tue, 3 Feb 2004 19:45:01
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