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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  07:17:30 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi Guys,

I'm very happy to join the team of Saab V4 "aficionados". I'm Pierre-Yves, 35, french. I've just bought, 4 days ago a 1974 SAAB 96 with 86000 kms on the clock. I had to pick it up in Netherlands, 900 kilometers from home as you find few SAAB 96 in France and prices are crazy non drvable rusty piece of junk.
Let me tell you about the drive back : As I took delivery of the car on Friday night (7:00 PM), time was not for watching the car (no lights in the streets) and check the level. Something crazy which I never did : I drove immediatly with no check up of oil level, cooling water, etc ...
Fortunately, I was lucky enough not to have any serious breakdown and could reach home on time.
Now, time for a check has come, and Covid 19 gives some extra time, unfortunately.
Main things to be looked at :
1) Heavy steering. There was a Moto LIta steering wheel on the car, I removed it for the original wheel. It's better but I find the car heavy. Not sure it's a problem as I'm used to today's modern steering but when I look at videos on You Tube, SAAB 96 drivers seem not to struggle while turning the wheel.
2) Lights on the dash gone => tachometer : LED gone, Battery and gas gauge : LED dead. In fact, all the LED put by previous owner died, only remain the normal lights. So I've ordered on the Bay normal lights, and will check.
3) Right Door won't open, always locked.
4) Noise at left rear : seems to be a shock absorber dead. Have to check this.
5) Change the oil of gear box : only basic maintenance here.
6) The car is quite noisy after 60 mph, seems that the exhaust is empty and resonating ...

I hope I can solve those issues because I love the car ! I will post pictures today.
Thanks and Best regards.

RhysN
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
411 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  09:29:27 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Welcome aboard the most useful site for the 96 Pierre-Yves. Almost everyone on here is very helpful, most with years of actual knowledge. There are very few of the type you find on other social media who talk lots and know little.
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  09:35:53 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi RhysN !
Thanks for your message => totally agree, I figured out that this forum was the best !
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  10:31:17 Show Profile Reply with Quote
This afternoon, I will post pictures and I have to remove passenger door panel, I will also make pictures ... If I succeed ;-)
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  12:52:42 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Welcome aboard!

quote:
Originally posted by PYM35

1) Heavy steering. There was a Moto LIta steering wheel on the car, I removed it for the original wheel. It's better but I find the car heavy. Not sure it's a problem as I'm used to today's modern steering but when I look at videos on You Tube, SAAB 96 drivers seem not to struggle while turning the wheel.
What tyres does it have? Try greasing the steering rack anyway. You may also want to jack up the front and see what steering feels like with the wheels off the ground.


quote:
Originally posted by PYM35
2) Lights on the dash gone => tachometer : LED gone, Battery and gas gauge : LED dead. In fact, all the LED put by previous owner died, only remain the normal lights. So I've ordered on the Bay normal lights, and will check.
Tacho must be a later addition. Cheap LEDS often fail after a while, but have you made sure it's not a grounding issue? The charge light needs an incandescent bulb anyway, the charging system won't work with an LED.

quote:
Originally posted by PYM35
3) Right Door won't open, always locked.
Is the lock pin in the sill in the "up" position?

quote:
Originally posted by PYM35
4) Noise at left rear : seems to be a shock absorber dead. Have to check this.
Check the top mounts for cracks, the shocks have a habit of rusting through the body work.

quote:
Originally posted by PYM35
6) The car is quite noisy after 60 mph, seems that the exhaust is empty and resonating ...
Worth checking the condition of the exhaust, but otherwise get used to it, they're all noisy. I always wear ear plugs on the motorway and my exhaust is modified to cut the noise, and in good condition.

There are workshop manuals and other useful stuff on my website www.saabv4.com, feel free to have a browse and download whatever looks useful.

www.saabv4.com
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Derek
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
2187 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  13:10:08 Show Profile Reply with Quote
1. Use about 32psi in the front tyres. The same or about 30 at the rear.
2. Clean the fuse box contacts and replace all fuses. That won't bring your LEDS back to life though.
3. Investigate. Locks aren't good on these cars.
4. As Melle says.
5. Change all of the fluids. 2l good for the gearbox. That is a bit more than the level plug sets but you can refill with that amount after a proper drain out.
6. Common for a resonance to set in at about 60mph but usually quietens down after about 65mph. Noise level doesn't get much quieter but the body resonance goes away. This can vary from car to car but very few cars don't have this problem.

Look forward to your pictures. Being locked down isn't good but if it is in your garage that makes it a bit easier.
Stay safe.
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  14:21:29 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi Guys,
First, thanks for the answers, much appreciated !

1) I use Vredestein Tires, pressure is 30PSI both front and rear. @Melle, I have just downloaded the Saab Technical manual on your website and discover the way to lubricate the steering gear. I will do this after work. And then, inflate tires at the correct pressure.
2) LED is definitely not the best. I have bought normal lamps for dashboards. Short trial before lunch gave promising results ! Also will be done this afternoon. Fuse box was cleaned yesterday and fuses changed 100% for brand new ones.
3) I found this on the Internet : http://www.steves-workshop.co.uk/vehicles/saab96/lock/locks.html
Quite an amount of work. Will be done this weekend + lubricate windows system.
4) I will check the top mounts : no rust.

Thanks again for answers guys ! Pictures this evening.
Times are strange : locked up at home, police set up road blocks, you can't leave home after 6:00PM => Army in the streets. Fortunately, I have occupation.
All the best and thanks again guys, you seem to be a bunch of highly skilled passionated people ;-)

Edited by - PYM35 on 18 Mar 2020 14:38:02
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chris steeden
V4 Fan

United Kingdom
163 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  17:33:02 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Saab tried to cure the 'resonance' problem on a standard exhaust by fitting z-type brackets on the front muffler (silencer) attached to the front engine mounts. Have yours been removed or lost? 30/31psi Front but I wouldn't go higher than 28psi on the rear and lower each front and rear by 3psi if you drive on snow/ice. Are your front springs good or do they sag a bit? Weak springs changes the geometry and can result in heavy steering(along with lack of grease in rack as Melle states).
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  19:17:10 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi Gentlemen,
I succeed into removing the rubber bellows in order to lubricate the steering rack (a nightmare to put back on BTW), but discover my grease pump was ... empty. Only drops coming out from it. But I saw that the rack was dry ... So clearly needs maintenance shortly.
Lights on dash is back ! Less efficient than LED but it's working ! And working well !
Front springs looks in good shape, I don't think anything wrong comes from this part of the car.
I will search for the Z type brackets on the front muffler (but a picture would be warmly appreciated as I'm not sure I understand what you mean, Chris Steeden).
Now, time for pictures :

[url=https://ibb.co/YR8y2f1][/url]
[url=https://ibb.co/nfPVDNX][/url]
[url=https://ibb.co/2Px03NJ][/url]
[url=https://ibb.co/Tk1mKqN][/url]
[url=https://ibb.co/n3JvgSh][/url]
[url=https://ibb.co/brm8Dg8][/url]
[url=https://ibb.co/mqGw8QL][/url]

Excuse my poor english ;-)

Cheers !

Edited by - PYM35 on 18 Mar 2020 19:18:20
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Wonky door
V4 Beginner

United Kingdom
96 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  20:27:23 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Looks a nice car
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  20:39:03 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Big sh.t ! I just went to the garage for pure satisfaction of seeing the light of the dash ok, I put my hand under the dash and every light died ... Why did I touch this ???
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TTruckie
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
320 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  21:23:26 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Great looking car - but the steering wheel is on the wrong side!!!

Welcome to the club
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  21:48:38 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks mate ;-) !!
Tomorrow I have to understand why I lost light at the dash (again) and why no fuse and no lamp is dead ...
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  22:02:05 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I've worked on quite a few V4s, but I've never seen the brackets on the front muffler. To be honest, I doubt they help. The best method in my experience is adding a bracket with two bobbins at the bulkhead, and replacing the rubber hangers at the rear with bobbins. Make sure you use good quality bobbins, which are hard to come by these days. I've used PU ones from a Mini on my 96 (Simons/ Jetex exhaust):




Your dash lights being intermittent is probably an earthing issue, there's a earth point under the dash.

Does your steering rack not have grease nipples? Not sure when Saab stopped fitting them (and why, as they're very useful).

Your car looks familiar, did you buy it in the North East of the Netherlands?

www.saabv4.com
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Dynorog
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
249 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2020 :  22:36:32 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Looks a nice car.
Cheers

Dynorog
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 19 Mar 2020 :  06:59:28 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi ! It probably is an earth issue indeed, I will look for it today.
That's correct : I bought the car last friday in the North East of Netherlands to a very kind guy. You know the car ? Has it appeared on this forum before ?
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