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Hello,
Here is my 2 cents. I currently have a 2003 9-3 convertible with the viggen appearance panels and seats. Also I have worked on many of them.
The tops are much more dependable than the electrical ones. The pump assemblies and solenoids on them rarely fail but if they do I have no problem putting used ones in.
The electrical micro switches it uses to know were the top is located are dependable as well. The one that fails most often is the 5th bow intermediate switch. What makes it fail is the metal piece that works as a lever on the switch to activate gets deformed and then breaks off. The real problem is that the metal lever rides on a piece of the convertible frame that sometimes is rough and or gets rusty. There was an old bulletin were they had you sand this piece smoother and apply some paint to keep it from bending the lever.
The hydraulic cylinder would be the most common fail points. This is caused by pitting on the chrome shaft according to the rebuilders. I usually run the top until the 5th bow and the tonneau cover arer raised and check out the 4 cylinders you can easily see. There are 2 on each side. You can see if the are leaking out of the upper seal at this point. And you can see if any rust is present in the chromed rod. A little seepage is usually present and that can stay minor for awhile if you clean up the rust on the rods. Or it could have allready been that way for awhile and will become a big leak soon. I agree with Justin that rebuilt hydraulic cylinders are the way to go. If you really plan to keep the car plan on spending about $1200 this way to get all the cylinders rebuilt and they will find pitting on the chrome rods and replace them with ones that are suppose to use thicker chrome that will not fail as soon. And they have lasted well when I have used them. If not keeping for the long run I may just get one rebuild for about $250 with a new chrome rod.
Which brings us to the hoses and they seem to last well. I have replaced some but not a whole lot. If there has been a long term leak it is more likely you will need to replace them. The hydraulic fluid does break down the outer coating.
The fabric top itself comes down to the way the car has been stored and cleaned. I am a big fan of using the 303 stuff to seal it atleast once a year to keep it waterproof. If it does need replaced I have not found a current supplier out there that sells a top fabric with the frame for the rear window in it and fabric quite as robust as original. But they are of quite good quality and look as good when installed. The frame for the rear window is more of a hassle for someone that installs there own top. They do have the hole marked in chalk on the fabric and everyone I have done has been centered correctly. But you must cut the hole in the top and glue the frame from the old top into the new one. When Saab used to have the top fabric they came with the hole in them and the frame installed. Good Luck, Bernie
_______________________________________
George Riggin Specialty Automotive
Current Saabs
1993 900 Turbo Conv.
1993 900 Turbo Conv. Auto
2003 9-3 Conv
2004 9-5 Arc Sedan
2005 9-3 SS 4 door
2005 9-3 SS Conv
2007 9-5 Aero Sedan
1986 900 Turbo Conv
A few parts cars also
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(#1501) 
[Profile/Gallery]
(more from Bernie) on Sat, 28 Jul 2018 11:42:57
, Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:52:01