UKSaabs

I fitted a Jamsaab Quickshift to my MY04 9-5 at the weekend, I took some snaps which may prove useful if you're thinking about the same thing.

Full centre console removed as per this thread from Robert.

Lift the leather gaiter up

Remove the compartment or ashtray with holder using a screwdriver and 82 93 474 Removal tool.

Remove the gear lever cover, 2 screws.


Unplug the connector for the central locking system switch.

Lift up the gear lever gaiter and undo the connectors for the seat heating, seat ventilation and cigarette lighter switches.

Important
Mark the connectors to avoid incorrect reconnection - this was easy enough to remember as I only have 2 plugs!

Remove the rear section of the centre console by removing the screw on the top. Then lift straight up and unplug the connector (note the armrest stop & where it sits).


Select reverse and remove the key.

Rotate and lift up the theft protection antenna unit (bayonet fitting) from the ignition switch and unplug the connector.

Insert the key and select neutral.

Disconnect the switch for the electric window lifts and unplug the connectors. Remove the coin holder.

Remove the screws holding the upper part of the centre console, 6 screws.

Lift out the upper part of the centre console, leaving it looking like this:


Fold back the carpets to the side of the centre console; this will involve pulling them out of the lower part of the dash slightly, but they slot back in easily enough afterwards.

Remove the front torx screws, 2 pcs.

Remove the rear screws, 2 pcs.

Lift and remove the centre console, making sure the rear air vent duct comes out too.

Which will leave you looking at this:


Remove the 3 10mm bolts at the front of the selector unit:


Undo the 4 Torx bolts at the base, which will allow you lift the rear of the aluminium casing up slightly. You can then unplug the elecrics from the ignition:


Now the very tricky job of removing the 13mm bolt securing the selector arm to the gearstick. This is tricky as you only get so much movement from the unit until you undo that bolt! I used a cut-down 13mm spanner, but the bolt came out by hand once loosened initially.

When you get the bolt out, the selector unit will just lift out - looking like this (underside):


The Jaamsaab quickshift unit, beautifully engineered:






Swap the reverse lock mechanism and ignition barrel from the old unit to the unit, then you're ready to install the new unit:


Place new unit, then refit the 13mm bolt to the selector arm:


Refit the electrics to the ignition barrel, refit the Torx bolts and the 3x 10mm bolts up front - then you should be looking at this:


Now is a good time to adjust the linkages - put the gearshift in 4th, pop a 4mm allen key (they work well in my opinion) into the alignment hole in front of the gearstick, and another into the alignment hole on top of the gearbox, loosen the pinch bolt on the linkage, wiggle everything, retighten the pinch bolt, and remove the allen keys.

Then the centre console all goes back on, the gearknob (complete with reverse lift) slides off the top of the old gearshift (using a 32mm open spanned & a chamois leather & a clout of a hammer), slide it back on the new gearshift, reattach the gaiter, then job done!

Shift-quality wise, it's as sharp as a Mazda MX5 now. I had heard it described as a rifle-bolt action, and that's most certainly the case.

Many thanks to Martin (Jamsaab) for the excellent service - a very happy customer here

Hope this helps someone with the install!

7. Select reverse (manual) or P (automatic) and remove the key.

Nice useful post

Thanks

Nice post......

Bit beyond me on the practical side that one so Martin/Josh fitted mine for me.

Have to say it still brings a smile to my face, particularly 2 and 4th are the real 'metal clunk' gears. I had to shave 3mm off the plastic notch for reverse as it was sticking, which Martin talked me through over the phone. Other than that it really is a lovely feeling.

For anyone pontificating on whether or not to get one...don't...just get one fitted and worry about something else. It has to be the best price to smiles ratio out there!

M

DeeDub8 wrote:

7. Select reverse (manual) or P (automatic) and remove the key.

As I said on top, that first bit is Robert's procedure for removing the centre console. I've edited it just now, added slightly more detail & corrected where my big fat fingers went berzerk!

How much are they?

Paddy2bsure wrote:

DeeDub8 wrote:

7. Select reverse (manual) or P (automatic) and remove the key.

As I said on top, that first bit is Robert's procedure for removing the centre console. I've edited it just now, added slightly more detail & corrected where my big fat fingers went berzerk!

It looks like a nice bit of kit. A bit daunting, for me, the amount of things that need to be removed/replaced. I only undid 1 screw and six nuts on the car yesterday and managed to drop and lose 2 nuts.

AERO HOT 9-5 ESTATE wrote:How much are they?

I don't think it's a secret or anything - I paid £130 plus P&P.

DeeDub8 wrote:It looks like a nice bit of kit. A bit daunting, for me, the amount of things that need to be removed/replaced. I only undid 1 screw and six nuts on the car yesterday and managed to drop and lose 2 nuts.

2.5 hours beginning to end, and a fair proportion of that was head-scratching & removing the ashtray! Overall not a difficult job at all, and one I would certainly do quicker next time.

DeeDub8 wrote: I only undid 1 screw and six nuts on the car yesterday and managed to drop and lose 2 nuts.

That may be the case. However, once you put everything back together not only will those missing nuts have resurfaced, you'll also have some left over!

blm70 wrote:

DeeDub8 wrote: I only undid 1 screw and six nuts on the car yesterday and managed to drop and lose 2 nuts.

That may be the case. However, once you put everything back together not only will those missing nuts have resurfaced, you'll also have some left over!

Would you be a "glass half full" person?

I have many spare nuts, just in case.

Thank you Paddy2bsure for your helpful guide.

Exellent guide, thankyou.

I need to do this, I've had my quick shift in the garage for almost a year now

Thankyou for the guide.

Excellent guide, thanks.
Is it necessary to fit the reverse key lock or can it be discarded? It's a PITA to be honest.

I read the build thread on Saab Central for the GS one. Anyone know if there is any difference between them?

Pictures make it look worse than it is, took me 3 hours but 1 of those was getting at that last 13mm selector bolt!

Norseman wrote:Excellent guide, thanks.
Is it necessary to fit the reverse key lock or can it be discarded? It's a PITA to be honest.

I read the build thread on Saab Central for the GS one. Anyone know if there is any difference between them?

Nope, in fact it's fiddly to re-install it, I left it off. Some argue you should inform your insurer if you take it away as it's an anti-theft (as well as an inconvenient!) feature.