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UPDATE.... (long) Posted by bender [Email] (#268) [Profile/Gallery] (more from bender) on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 07:08:51 In Reply to: Here are some pictures..., bender [Profile/Gallery] , Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:46:35 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
OK, I finished it. As much as I appreciate what is available online from all you amazing Saab people, some things written should really be modified.
The radio cage is NOT easily removed. It has four tabs which are *well* secured in place. The plastic must be flexed (thankfully it didn't break) between the SID and radio. So, what I did was removed the whole SID/cup holder to make room. The SID holder has about five metal clips that need to be flexed upwards and finally a few other metal stoppers. It was not that easy. The plastic needs to be flexed to give them way.
Once that's removed, you can flex the strip of plastic (careful! very delicate) between the SID and radio to get the tabs to budge. The two top ones are hardest.
Once that's done, you then can remove the fascia ONLY AFTER YOU POP OUT the AC vents on each side. This was the most frustrating thing of all. It is SO well in there you need to pull with a lot of force. What I did was put three twisty ties through the grill of the vent on the right side (side close to passenger) and pulled hard while holding the tube it attaches to from the back through the radio hole. It finally (after much force) gave way. I am surprised nothing broke.
Then you need to do the same thing on the left side, close to the window. Unfortunately, there it's much harder since there is no access hole to grab onto the back of the tube. I pulled with the twisty ties method until it finally very satisfyingly gave way. Amazingly nothing broke.
I did the required work with the odometer, changed EVERY bulb including the mileage bulb (had to get that one from the dealer...). The bulbs for everything else are 2721 which pull out of the plastic bases. There is only one grey base which houses a 2W bulb. I replaced it with a 2723 bulb which is the same size, just 2.3W, a small difference.
When it came time to put everything in, the hardest part was popping the AC vents BACK in. On the right side it wasn't bad as again, I held the tube through the radio hole and I pushed from the outside until it popped in. On the driver's side, however, it was a bit of a pain. I have to loosen the lower kick panel (a bunch of screws need to come out, the Tech2 connector loosened, an expanding rivet and the fuse box also needs to be pushed out of the way. Once a bit of room was made, I held the tube firmly and pushed until it popped in. There was no other way than to loosen what I just mentioned. It's important that it pops in otherwise you'll have squeaks and rattles forever.
Overall, this was most certainly not as easy as it was made to sound. If I had to do it again, it'd be easier since I know the tricks to it but it definitely doesn't simply and easily just pop out.
Careful not to break anything! Very frustrating job...make sure to change all bulbs so you don't have to come back in there. Why didn't they use LEDs??
Bender
_______________________________________ bender 2001 9-3 Viggen Laser Red 5 door 44k miles 2000 9-3 SE Midnight Blue 5 door (Sold)
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