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Not sure where to start but I see posts regarding x-country trips so...
here we go.
Been driving da saabs since 1971 or so. Had a 2 stroke with Factory (?) pull rope in the dashboard inside the car, to the right of the steering wheel.
Must have been a 2 cyl. Forgive my memory or 50 yrs ago. Sure wish I still had it.
Anyway, so the story goes, my daughter called from Vancouver, BC Canada a couple years ago. I'm in Oregon btw.
She needed me to help with health issues.
I fired up the 900 1982, changed the oil, box oil and coolant and brake fluid and got ready for the 25 hr run. First time it had seen the road in about 5 years, but I digress. Checking this that and everything else, I see an outer cv boot was shredded. No time to fix properly, I got some of that saran wrap type sheet plastic that is used to wrap pallets of boxes and stuff and simply spun the rt front wheel and spun about 10-15 turns of the 'saranwrap' plastic around and around the outer cv boot. (after I packet the cv with greasegun grease) in a clockwise fashion, of course. Up on a jack, ez to spin.
Stopped for gas and silly me, I tapped the brakes and the left rear caliper locked up.
Didn't really care as my daughter is The most important thing in the world.
Grabbed a tire iron and pried the brake pads back and dared NOT to touch the brakes for the rest of the trip. I could feel the heat from the locked caliper as I walked around the car. I swear I could see it glowing at one stop in the dark. Sure was hot and beyond hot to touch.
She was concerned and I said I'm gonna hit the brakes about 5 times for gas and once at the border...I'll see you in a day or 2.
so I used the handbrake a couple times to stop for gas and, yes, I did slow down at the border.
All is well and another 20 hrs return trip, no issues other than no brakes, no gas gauge so I'd run 3 hrs at a time and fill, hoping the saran wrap around the cv driveshaft was still there and a few other oddities.
Let's see? what else.
Trip was great, Daughter is doing fine and I have a beautiful grandbaby who will undoubtedly hear this story more than once....How grandpa drove a saab 25 hrs to Canada with NO brakes and didn't flinch at the challenge.
Kinda wonder why I didn't even THINK of renting a (some non-saab).
Never occurred to me.
I never questioned the fact that the saab would do what was needed.
Could very well be a mental problem, but in retrospect, I have Never been stranded by any saab. 50 years of trust goes a long way in my book.
Be safe everyone.
posted by 63.155.180...
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