More Clutch Problems

Hello to all. Re Clutch problems 1992 9000S 165k miles My apologies for occupying so much of the groups time regarding my clutch but I cannot solve the problem.

The original problem three years ago was a clutch pedal that went to the floor and remained there. I was out of town and relied on a local repairer and his bill plus the rentals to get home and return almost bankrupted me . He said that the slave cylinder was gone replaced it and I have had about two and a half years of reliable transmission./

Suddenly last summer the pedal went to the floor but return to norm operation when pulled up. This lasted about four days of local driving and this time it failed and would not return.

First the master cylinder was changed. Not a help so my local guy referred me to a "foreign car" specialist. This guy actually drives two Saab 900's (never simultaneously) and this gave me some feeling of confidence. He replaced everything in site including the slave which he said and I believe was the culprit. All of the recommended components when the clutch is down for service.

This lasted for about a week and suddenly no clutch. I had it towed to him and he replaced the slave only and said that it was covered by Saab's warranty but charged me for the labour. Not cheap but if he did get a defective slave from Saab I expect that this is the best that I could expect. At the same time, on the advice of someone, Tom if I recall correctly, in the group I had the mechanic replace the metal and rubber line between the master and the slave to eliminate the possibility that the rubber was deteriorating and causing particles to get into the slave and effecting its operation) I confidently drove off to visit with my son and his kids over Christmas and New Years. About 625 miles each way and about 100 local miles while there. Getting there was no problem. Being there was not either.

I set of to return home with confident. However after stopping for fuel after travel ling about 100 miles toward home, the clutch pedal again went to the floor.

I recalled someone some where saying that sometimes this problem could be (if only temporarily) remedied by manually pumping the clutch pedal. At this time I checked the level in the cluch/brake reservoir. It was just below the partition. I had a bottle of hydraulic fluid so I filled the reservoir replaced the cap and manually pumped the pedal up and down. I seemed to be getting some pressure and I checked the reservoir and the level was down. I repeated this and each time there seemed to be more resistance and eventually the pedal was giving me much more resistance at or near the top of its stroke.

After about six or seven ties the fluid seemed to stop disappearing and the clutch pedal remained where it belonged. I drove off. I was a little cautious at first but the clutch was holding up so I continued home-about 500 miles over good highways but up and down hills through the mountains. I arrived home late this morning and since then my faithful "Sven" has sat in my garage. I will probably take him out for a test later today but I would really appreciate any and all input regarding the defect.

If my count is correct this will be the fourth slave to have failed, Three in the last two months.

HELP !!!!!! PLEASE,

Malcolm Mason

Reply to
Malcolm Mason
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I would guess that the brake fluid is disappearing through the slave cylinder rubber seal. I once had very similar symptoms with a 99 when changed clutch and slave cylinder. It worked fine for a week or two, then one morning pedal went to floor. The reason, I believe, was that I forgot to apply the special rubber grease to seals. Because - to be honest - I dismantled the assembly several times, changed seals, bleeded air, etc etc. And again, after some days of drive there was no clutch. It was the fifth time or so when I read the instructions really carefully and did apply the rubber grease. Since then the clutch operated flawlessly.

Reply to
Petri Kirves

Peter Kirves wrote:

Was this a new slave cylinder that you intalled? Do the not come from the supplier pre-lubed?

Malcolm Mason

Reply to
Malcolm Mason

Yes, a new one. The parts were separate, and I had to install seals by myself.

Reply to
Petri Kirves

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