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Hey everyone!
After stranding my car about 130 miles from home, I've finally got it home and am motivated to fix it. It's an 85 900S.
I'd been warned by my mechanic that the CV Joint was failing and had been intending to do that this summer. Well, I went out on some FUN dirt roads, probably hit a bump too hard and had a nice little noise when I came back to my friends cabin. When I went to reverse out of my parking spot, I got a much worse clang'ing noise from the front drivers wheel well and no power. :(
Upon further investigation, I found ~6 bearings on the ground, very greasy. I also found bits of a shattered black ring with the same grease. I found some of these bits lying on the top of the lower control arm. I had it up on a floor jack yesterday, inspecting it but did not feel comfortable crawling under to really get a good look. Before I do any real work, it'll be on jack stands, of course. SO, I haven't seen the broken part yet, just the pieces it ejected. It appears to be behind the rotor/hub assembly, of course.
Anyway, my haynes manual shows a picture of the "outer joint" including several similar bearings, held in place by a ring similar to the one I found. I'm guessing, therefore, that the "outer joint" is what I broke (138 of the 8 valve guide). The Bentley guide doesn't have a similar photo but does have some drawings which appaer to show bearings in the same area (p. 700-1, Suspension - General). Given the size of the bearings, it strongly appears that I broke the "outer joint".
I intend to do the ball joints, rotors and pads at the same time (seems logical and I need 'em).
When searching the archives, it seems that, for me, replacing the whole half-shaft with a rebuilt one is the way to go. I say this because the car will not see severe duty (just a commuter), is intended to just be a driver and primarily my winter car. I'm also pretty price sensitive on this project. I've also got a water pump project going on the Alfa. Too many projects. Is the half-shaft the way to go? Easier project? Anyone know a good source, preferably with a warranty of some sort? Also, there's discussion of the tripod mount and there being 2 different sizes. Anything I need to know there to specifically request the right one (for an 85 900S)? I'd hate to be half into the job and discover I got the wrong part. Should I do wheel bearings at the same time or anything else? What all does a "half-shaft" include? Yes, I'm a novice - can't you tell? :)
Posts on half-shafts:
http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/bb/900/index.html?bID=96037
http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/bb/900/index.html?bID=115694
A couple other things,
1) My emergency brake doesn't work. Seems to be the cable. I'd like to keep things simple, one job at a time. The bentely manual makes doesn't seem to indicate it'd be easier to do at the same time as the brakes, ball joints and half-shafts. Do this job separately or at the same time?
2) My mechanic, when I had it inspected, didn't note which brake caliper should be replaced. How do I tell?
Thanks!
Bryce
00 9-5 Aero
85 900S
83 Alfa Spider
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