Saab: Saab 9000 CSE 96 Serpentine Belt change

The tensionor doesn't have any settings to allow release or adjustment.
There is a Saab tool that fits into two notches to keep the tensionor in
place with the tension off the belt after you have used a wrench to move the
tensionor into that position. The "special" tool can easily be fabricated.
I did it with a bracket I bought from the hardware store that had two holes
in it that are 4.5" apart. I secured two bolts into the bracket and they
fit into the notches. I got the specifications from the Haynes 9000 service
manual. It is now available in the US through 3rd party sellers in the
"used and new" section of Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/1859607640/002-3233482-8239253.
IIRC, the actual Saab manuals were much more expensive (and more detailed)
than the Haynes manual, and I expect they would be very difficult to find
after this many years. Even though the Haynes manual has its shortcomings,
it does a competent job of explaining belt removal and replacement.

Remember, the bolt for the tensionor pulley is reverse threaded and that
pulley has to be removed before the belt can be removed. I hope this helps.

Walt Kienzle
1991 9000T

"Grospitch" <net> wrote in message
news:FzjJb.43895$.. 

Walt Kienzle wrote: 

Still the price USD 28.71 for the Haynes manual seems quite steep. UK price
is GBP 14.99 at most. Actually USD 25.63 because the USD is low today.

I have a surplus Haynes 9000 service manual 1985-1998 that I'll sell for
GBP 10+ postage (~3) in the UK.

Johannes

I remove the fender liner, pull the PS reservoir off its mount, then use
a 19MM socket on 18" - 1/2" drive breaker bar. Put socket on the LH
threaded bolt on the idler pulley. Pull VERY SLOWLY (I mean VERY SLOWLY
or you can strip the nut - ask how I know...) toward the firewall. Once
compressed, remove the belt with your other hand and slowly release the
tensioner. Now remove the LH threaded bolt to remove the belt. If this
is a 65kmi service, replace BOTH pulleys now so that one does not
catastrophically fail in 10kmi. The pulleys are notoriously short lived.
I had one making noise at 72kmi. I do not know how much longer it
would've gone, but I did not want to test it.

KeithG

Grospitch wrote: 

You are probably correct, but everything is too expensive these days and we
have to live with it. Since this book isn't even available from Amazon.com
directly or from any other US bookstore (unless you find it used), the only
other source is to order it from the UK. The US offices of Haynes won't
even acknowledge that this book exists. Add GBP 7 for overseas shipping,
and the quoted price comes into parity. I used the US Amazon web site
because that is where I live and it provided information about the book.
Obviously people in other countries should use a web site based in their
country, such as Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, or whichever bookstore they
prefer. Before Amazon provided a listing for this book, one of the Saab
parts specialists on the Internet was selling it for about $32, plus
shipping. I ordered my copy from a UK bookseller (not Amazon.co.uk) several
years ago and, IIRC, the total cost came to about $30. What you consider
steep, is somewhat of a bargain for us in the US.

I find it humorous that you should claim that this price is steep. I went
through the same thing when I was looking for a replacement
receiver-drier/accumulator for the Air Conditioning. A UK parts supplier
told me "you are being robbed if you pay more than $30 for that part." I
found that aftermarket parts suppliers were asking about $60, and the Saab
dealer was asking about $120. I was considering ordering it from the UK and
paying the steep shipping and import fees. Saab is considered to be a
premium, luxury brand in the US and everything associated with it is sold at
a steep price here. I have since found www.eeuroparts.com who sell parts at
reasonable prices. The AC part is still over $30 (just barely), but they
don't sell this book.

Walt Kienzle
1991 9000T

"Johannes H Andersen" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 
the 
fabricated. 
holes 
they 
service 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/1859607640/002-3233482-8239253. 
price 

Walt Kienzle wrote: 

Uhh, and I believe this part is not even made by Saab.

The Amazon price quoted for the manual USD 28.71 was actually a second
hand price, the new price quoted is in the range USD 33.64 - USD 39.57 !

My copy is also second hand, but hardly used since I discovered that content
is identical (exactly) with previous manual (1985-1995 on the cover).

The Pound/Dollar rate 1.71 is at the highest I can remember at the moment.

Since you top posted, allow me to repeat my offer: 10 GBP + 3 GBP for
posting in the UK.

Johannes

"Johannes H Andersen" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 

Once again, you are correct, but then again, the AC part I was talking about
is not made, handled or branded by Saab either (except the $120 part from
the Saab dealer). So what is your point? As I stated, the actual Saab part
is more expensive (for both the book and the AC part) and I suggested the
Haynes book as an alternative that would provide more information on the
topic the original poster was asking about. My point was that everything
Saab related (not necessarily made or sold by Saab) is expensive in the US.
 

You are very wrong on this. While it is in the "used" section, the
description clearly states that it is "Brand New, Perfect Condition"
 
content 

That would be helpful for the first person from the UK that contacts you for
a copy of the book. Your detour on this thread would be much more helpful
to others if you could suggest a less expensive source for us in the US
instead of being negative about the source I provided for information on the
book.