UKSaabs

boo-hoo failed the MOT today - exhaust blowing and non functional rear breaks (handbrake ok). Exhaust back boxes were still blowing despite my filling several holes - sort of knew that was coming but was hoping the filler would hold out. Did not guess the rear brakes would be an issue based on that fact that the rear hand brakes work fine, tester told me the rear brakes are completely non functional any ideas what the issue might be?

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Saab, better than a mistress.

Best thing is just to strip the rear brakes and have a look. You can replace the cylinders if frozen or leaking and can use mini (as in cooper not small!) brake cylinders but will have to drill a new hole in the back plate foe the locating lug (IIRC).

Then bleed the entire system really well. Whilst you are at it flush all the old fluid out front and rear and you know that is most of the variable done.

Good luck

i will be draped over mine this weekend trying to get the rebuilt spec'ed motor up and running again on the Mk II. Oh how nice it is to have an fully opening bonnet rather than a small letter box to get to the engine!!!!

SonettV4

ps I found it really useful to sheath the handle of the saab spark plug spanner in rubber tubbing (only found it really useful AFTER touching the back of the alternator and blowing the diode pack TWICE!)

Good plan!!

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Saab, better than a mistress.

That's why I said this.

Rob

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" Have you come prepared ? Aye, I have a Stromberg Carb diaphragm in my pocket " ! !

managed to go the long way round on the way back from the test centre via a dual carriage way Noticed a couple of issues - there is a bit of crunching on down shift if the speed is not matched (with the freewheel disengaged) and also some vibration when first moving off - my theory is the clutch is binding slightly? Second issue was some engine missing at approx 4k revs - holey back box/old plugs/dodgy leads/clogged up carb from 26 years of standing

regarding exhaust replacement:

The the place who did the MOT for me who does various classic cars suggested P D Gough near Jct 26 M1 (near Nottingham) as a specialist exhaust maker - any you guys heard of them?

My father thinks the back box section of the Sonett exhaust see diagram here - mine is the top one might be the is the same as the 2 stroke Jetex back boxes?

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Saab, better than a mistress.

Looks like a standard 96 V4 one to me, tailpipe might be longer, but the drawing may not be scale.

Rob

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" Have you come prepared ? Aye, I have a Stromberg Carb diaphragm in my pocket " ! !

if you don't mind being 'non-original' a wide variety of universal oval mufflers will fit. you can even get competition ones that make it sound fantastic!

give demon tweeks or merlin motorsport a look.

SonettV4

Yes I have heard of PD Gough, suppliers of Austenitic exhaust systems. There is another exhaust fabricator in Bulwell, need to find their name, who fabricated the rally exhausts for Beechdale Saabs rally cars. The same fella has copied the Gp2 exhaust for the V4 as well.

That would be Gran Fabrications 0115 9761864 they built the system on Jaffa many years ago and it is still as good as new By the way Woody I am even closer to you now as I have just moved to Blidworth even got a double garage
Pete

Yep, top pattern in Si's diagram uses standard V4 back box on RHS, not sure if LHS is the same or a mirror image.
Bottom diagram looks like a two stroke Saab Sport back box ??

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89 C900 2dr T16S track hack: For sale
9-3 2.8T
9-5 Aero 600Nm
96V4

As others have said, whip the rear drums off and see what's going on - chances are the rear wheel cylinders are shot. Saab pattern ones can still be found easily, Elkparts sell them still IIRC. Otherwise Mini Cooper with the backing plate drilled to accept the locating pin (they're like a mirror image of the Saab ones).

Might be worth chaging the flexi hoses while you're under there, Goodridge available off eBay for not a lot, and worth while - fit & forget

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89 C900 2dr T16S track hack: For sale
9-3 2.8T
9-5 Aero 600Nm
96V4

Yes Pete,
We'll have to meet up for a cuppa!!

I've used them - they had pattern systems off me for a couple of unusual older Citroens. Any pattern systems they get are stored in their pattern room (ask for a tour!) until needed. They never throw a pattern out. Ever.

When I got the system through, I didn't want to fit it. I wanted to hang it on the wall. Not cheap, but not expensive. If no pattern's available, they'll make-to-fit.

Highly recommended.

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Adrian
Back from living life on the road in an old VW
http://WhereverTheRoadGoes.com

How much was your system?

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Saab, better than a mistress.

Culprits - both back boxes and the tail pipes had blown out the filler and some new holes appeared also -although you can't see the holes on these pics, the tester had better eye sight (although even poor hearing would have given the game away )

Both boxes are attached by a side bracket and rubber bobbin - anyone know what/where the top bracket on the back box attaches to? -can't see anywhere inside the car where a bracket would come through and the only access to an enclosed cavity would be if a rear wheel was removed?

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Saab, better than a mistress.

I don't, but are those original PIRELLI CINTURATOS?

Rob

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" Have you come prepared ? Aye, I have a Stromberg Carb diaphragm in my pocket " ! !

From memory, <£400 for a fairly long and oddly-shaped pipe from manifold back to tailpipe, including two boxes, a few years back.

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Adrian
Back from living life on the road in an old VW
http://WhereverTheRoadGoes.com

Good spot Rob -this is only the cars 3rd set of tyres - the first and second set were Cinturatos (the set I took off were fitted in 1984 and covered only 3000 miles from fitting) -I decided to try to keep that element original, especially as there were no Firestones to be found and a 4 week wait for Toyo! Having said that the right size tyre of the '74 sonett III is 165/15 (not 155 although that was what was fitted)- I could have got some Firestones in that size almost straight away but they were not much cheaper than the Cintuartos not 155. I have the tubed variety fitted. Will attach some more pics a bit later on.

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Saab, better than a mistress.

It does make them 25 years old though, they are probably not roadworthy or safe really mate, the inside de-laminate after time, also the rubber goes hards, becareful with them, personally for safety reasons I'd ditch them, 'tis a shame though.

Rob

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" Have you come prepared ? Aye, I have a Stromberg Carb diaphragm in my pocket " ! !

I'm reading it as them being a new set _replacing_ a 25yo set...

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Adrian
Back from living life on the road in an old VW
http://WhereverTheRoadGoes.com