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In your case, pretty good. Posted by Saana88 [Email]  (#207)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Saana88) on Wed, 9 Feb 2005 19:08:52
In Reply to: How reliable are Saab 900 transmissions?, Derek, Wed, 9 Feb 2005 18:58:21 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
1989 and 1990 had the best gearboxes. They're late enough to have the mammoth pinion bearing design but early enough and pre-GM enough to have the stronger shift forks.
91k is low mileage. Change the oil, keep an eye on it, and don't drive it like you hate it.
The gearbox in my car came out of an '89 naturally-aspirated car and even though the pinion bearings have whined since I got it (three years ago, around 40k miles ago too) I changed the oil once and it is flawless. I changed the oil to cure a cold-shifting problem.
Usual failure on the earlier boxes, talking through '88: You start losing gears or experience popping out of gear, then loud, sudden onset of pinion noise if you're lucky, then the differential locks and you don't move.
Usual failure on mid-range boxes ('89-'90): I have no idea, it's been a long, long time since somebody had one of these die on them. I estimate my twice-donored gearbox has around 220k on it and I will change the oil again in the spring, just as a preventative thing.
Usual failure on later boxes ('91-'93): Shifter forks.
Avoid any and all classic 900 automatics at all cost, unless you own fuel distributor stock, you like going slow, you enjoy changing fluid every oil change, at least one of your legs doesn't work, or you plan to change it over to a five speed when it dies. Note this is my opinion, but it's my opinion after driving one and hating it.
I hope this helps. If you experience any popping out of gear or excessive grinding during your test drive, you may want to reconsider, otherwise I think it's a good buy from the gearbox perspective.
posted by 69.67.230...
, Thu, 10 Feb 2005 00:48:09, Wed, 9 Feb 2005 19:08:52 <-- Viewing This Message
, Wed, 9 Feb 2005 23:04:25
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