Saab: More Clutch Problems

Hello to all.
Re Clutch problems 1992 9000S 165k miles
My apologies for occupying so much of the groups time regarding my
clutch but I cannot solve the problem.

The original problem three years ago was a clutch pedal that went to
the floor and remained there. I was out of town and relied on a local
repairer and his bill plus the rentals to get home and return almost
bankrupted me . He said that the slave cylinder was gone replaced it
and I have had about two and a half years of reliable transmission./

Suddenly last summer the pedal went to the floor but return to norm
operation when pulled up. This lasted about four days of local driving
and this time it failed and would not return.

First the master cylinder was changed. Not a help so my local guy
referred me to a "foreign car" specialist. This guy actually drives
two Saab 900's (never simultaneously) and this gave me some feeling of
confidence. He replaced everything in site including the slave which
he said and I believe was the culprit. All of the recommended
components when the clutch is down for service.

This lasted for about a week and suddenly no clutch. I had it towed to
him and he replaced the slave only and said that it was covered by
Saab's warranty but charged me for the labour. Not cheap but if he did
get a defective slave from Saab I expect that this is the best that I
could expect. At the same time, on the advice of someone, Tom if I
recall correctly, in the group I had the mechanic replace the metal
and rubber line between the master and the slave to eliminate the
possibility that the rubber was deteriorating and causing particles to
get into the slave and effecting its operation) I confidently drove
off to visit with my son and his kids over Christmas and New Years.
About 625 miles each way and about 100 local miles while there.
Getting there was no problem. Being there was not either.

I set of to return home with confident. However after stopping for
fuel after travel ling about 100 miles toward home, the clutch pedal
again went to the floor.

I recalled someone some where saying that sometimes this problem could
be (if only temporarily) remedied by manually pumping the clutch
pedal. At this time I checked the level in the cluch/brake reservoir.
It was just below the partition. I had a bottle of hydraulic fluid so
I filled the reservoir replaced the cap and manually pumped the pedal
up and down. I seemed to be getting some pressure and I checked the
reservoir and the level was down. I repeated this and each time there
seemed to be more resistance and eventually the pedal was giving me
much more resistance at or near the top of its stroke.

After about six or seven ties the fluid seemed to stop disappearing
and the clutch pedal remained where it belonged. I drove off. I was a
little cautious at first but the clutch was holding up so I continued
home-about 500 miles over good highways but up and down hills through
the mountains. I arrived home late this morning and since then my
faithful "Sven" has sat in my garage. I will probably take him out for
a test later today but I would really appreciate any and all input
regarding the defect.

If my count is correct this will be the fourth slave to have failed,
Three in the last two months.

HELP !!!!!! PLEASE,


Malcolm Mason

On Fri, 9 Jan 2004, Malcolm Mason wrote:
 

Yes, a new one. The parts were separate, and I had to install seals by
myself.

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Petri Kirves * hut.fi * --O-o-O-- *