Dabooka

19 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Show me the boot open switch please 😀

Also, does your hood open off the key (I must know this 😅)

Here is the switch, under the armrest. And no, it does not open on the key and thanks for letting me know about this as now I want it! 🤣

Probably just as well though as I’m not sure about the battery.  I needed to jump it earlier as the battery was flat and I reckon it was because I lowered and raised the roof.

Right, well after talking to the knowledgeable  and frankly all round good chap at work, he recommended I just replace the rears rather than faffing on. With is mind I thought ‘Fuck it’, and I blagged the afternoon off work, nipped to Random Car Parts where for once they supplied the correct things for the car and replaced the rear callipers and pads.

My mate as always was utterly instrumental in his assistance, he’s just so much better than I at this stuff.  Anyway the long shot is the rears don’t bind now. I would like to have gotten them painted but hey ho, they’ll rust up quickly enough and besides now I can remove them fairly easily should I choose to. 

Downsides (there’s always something) were discovering a screw in the n/s rear tyre and on the test drive after getting the puncture repaired, noting the fronts are still binding and are too hot. Those discs also look a bit borked so I’ll probably be replace this whilst I am at it. I think they may be the bigger vented 314mm discs looking at the callipers? Photo attached but it’s not the best.

Finally I await the finest* wheel centres and bonnet badge from China and a couple of replacement key fobs to transplant the electrics into as they’re grotty.  Still haven’t read the owners manual yet.  Oh, I did discover I have boot open switch in the driver’s door! 😆

3 minutes ago, Saabnut said:

If you are needing parts, I highly  recommend Bill at saabits.com - keen prices and ultrafast delivery

Cor thanks. I'm looking right now to get an idea on costs, also considering any upgrades (if I need to refirb anyway).

Firstly I'm off to see what setup I actually have too as I didn't relaise the various permutations availble.

15 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Mind you need a caliper wind back tool for the rears on these.

Thanks for that, I'll hope my mate brings it.  We share a lot of these kinds of things as we tend to do the jobs together anyway.

Thinking I may just buy new bits anyway include handbrake cables.

2 hours ago, SRi05 said:

I believe you need Tech2 to swap over ICM as each unit is "married" to the car, Saabs were a pain in the arse for this untill the 07 facelifts came out. You need it to activate aux, telephone etc as well. 

Thanks, it’s seems to be the case. I’ve emailed a few on eBay, see what comes back. I tend to find prices on these used parts are ‘ambitious’ so probably won’t bother!

On to the brakes where I fell at the first hurdle. I know I have some star sockets somewhere but cannot find them so I now need to wait on a mate to come down later. What I can say is the rear brake I checked is definitely binding, seems the handbrake isn’t fully releasing either.  I’m hoping I can just strip and clean otherwise it’ll be a rebuild job. Cheap enough but a PITA and stops me using it.

Thanks chaps, really appreciate the continued feedback.

I’ll forgo the Tech 2 then and just pay a man when needed I guess.  I assume if there several things it’ll be done as a one off payment anyway (the Aux is the main thing to be honest).

I too can’t believe how plated and firm it feels, as well as solid. Everything is solid, just noticed even the mirror mounts are cast aluminium and not plastic!

Small update.

Well today I spoke to a Saab garage I was put on to who said it doesn’t have brake vectoring etc and to give them a clean / replace the callipers. This means tomorrow I’m going to strip and clean and check there spinning freely. So that’s good… He does have the Tech-2 though so I may be back to activate the Aux-In, this will allow me stream, at least. Does anyone know if Tech-2 is available as download or is it purely hardware kit?

Finally is it possible to swap the Saab Audio  for a Saab Infotainment system (ICM1 to ICM2)? I just note that may telephone calling / Bluetooth which along with the Aux will be perfect (I know there’s nothing else to be done and I can’t swap in a proper headunit).

Looking a run down to the in-laws to see Karl at NoobTune in person rather than posting it out.

Two aerials, boot lid and wing. Weird or normal? Looks like the boot is a ‘gps’ type which is pointless obvs.

1 minute ago, Split_Pin said:

Also, just noticed, a Hirsch badge on the back! I think that's been tickled already?

I wondered too but wouldn’t know how to check. It’s quick but not massively so, hard to gauge.

Thanks for that, but I owe an apology; it’s not running hot (temp stat is half way) I meant it’s a fucking hot unit! An hour after pulling up from a short drive it was toasty under the bonnet!
 

The wheel heat surprised me but I guess it’s normal if all four are hot.

Well here’s my new toy, one my missus has already claimed as her own despite the protests regarding its purchase. Anyway I digress, so here’s some pics a list of things to do.

Negative points worthy of note; the wings are the wrong silver, several small patches of corrosion, not the best rubber but loads of tread so they’re staying, poverty spec ICE and the scuttle panel is worn and split (and lacks the mounting nuts).

Positive points? There are some. For example all new shocks and springs in the last two years (including some alloy block which goes wrong?), annual service which I believe the bloke about, auto box with a fluid change two years ago, low tax (for an auto!) and otherwise a tidy example. Oh and two keys, which is nice for once.

Stuff to do

• NoobTune FTW!
• Clean and treat hood
• Wing mirror mounts faded and slightly corroded
• Aircon needs gas m9 [Done Dec ‘23]
• Rusty bits
• Wings…? Might just leave then to be honest, not sure I’m that bothered

Stuff done

• Replaced rear calipers and new pads (Brembo). Discs were fine. (27/06/2022)
• Cleaned front calipers, replaced sliders and rubbers. New Brembo pads installed. (03/07/2022)
• Replaced bonnet badge and wheel centres. Topped tyres off as all under pressure (06/07/2022)
• Installed ICM2 and Aux in to the arm rest cubby. (17/07/2022)
• Installed new Exide battery (17/07/2022)
• Replaced a key fob case (17/07/2022)
• Brakes fettled at the garage (19/07/2022)
• Two new springs and one new top mount (19/07/2022)
• Welding and track rod end for MOT (21/02/2023)
• ICE Upgrade -  ICM2 with Aux in installed, now with SaabPlus Bluetooth module (13/04/2023)
• New back box fitted (15/08/2023)
• Oil and filter change (07/09/2023) Plugs replaced (15/10/2023)
• AC inspected, serviced and recharged (12/12/2023)
• New radiator cap.  Fuel filter replaced for MOT (05/03/2024)

It’s an odd spec.  It’s a Vector with the pov spec audio but with several speakers, five I think (last count seven). It’s got memory seats, cruise, auto wipers, dimming rear view mirror, CD but no multidisc, autobox with button shift (which is brilliant by the way) and fogs.  Otherwise what a joy. Well planted with a lovely gearbox and a good amount of pace, nice driving position, minimal buffeting with the roof down and my missus likes it.

So far so good?

Done, Paypal F&F 👍

Bonus Puma money shot too.

Not read the whole thread but Swift Sport is my vote. Cracking motors, cheap to run, easy to work on.

Not fast by other standards but loves to by revved and can carry speed through corners.

I think has been doing the rounds for a while now but not with this seller.

Form a queue now

1 hour ago, mitsisigma01 said:

No No No . If ever a car deserves to dissolve instantly it must be this .

What is its purpose? 

Hideous creation .

What were they thinking 🤮🤮🤮

 

 

I've genuinely always loved these as they're so utter futile, and an AWD verison is also a lot rarer than you may otherwise think.

However I fully undertsand the sentiment too

I know nothing of these but I want it. Now.

Well I went to see the old girl on Sunday armed with a brand new and fully charged battery.  Battery popped in connected, turned the key and...

....it still won't turn over. Balls.

Tried again and this time realised the fuel pump was not priming.  Checked fuse under the bonnet and looked fine, swapped the relay for a known good one (the horn) but still no joy.  Balls x2.

Plan is now to go down at the weekend remove the rear seat and see if the pump is getting power. Maybe hit it with a mallet or something.  I'll also remember to pack my Bluetooth OBD reader just in case.

Any ideas on anything else to try?  Seems weird for it just to stop even after a couple of years of no use is it not?  Do these seize up?

TIA

Cor!  That's proper lush! My old man ran one or a while, can't recall anything about it though.

Two randoms please

Well today I picked up my subby after taking it in to work to have the slightly beefed up supports for the ARB;
 

Same on the other side. Next job to get it blasted and dipped, need to get a quote but hopefully not too expensive.

Also took one of the hubs in, I had managed to shear a pinch bolt. Got that sorted, removed the bushes as a bonus and, more importantly, the shock is perfectly fine too. That's a nice saving. Bearings and ABS rings also got a green light and look sorted.
 

Next job is to clean these up, take them back in and get new bushes inserted.

Not a bad day at all.

To be honest think they need the spoiler on the arse end (hence me fitting one) but that's just me.

Cheers man.  They really get undue stick even by Ford fanbois.

I want to get it back on the road sometime this spring / early summer.  A combination of the 'vid, a house move and protracted home improvements* have meant I've done nothing on it,I figure I need to pull my finger out and get some small bits done that are off the car to give me some motivation.

Well I've decided to start making some plans to progress with the Cougar after noting for a little under two years.  After visiting it the other week the battery, unsurprisingly, is deed and need replacing. All the tricks of trying to get it to hold a charge has failed and I couldn't get it it start even with my booster pack so that'll be ordered shortly.  I'm just glad it's still there albeit dusty.

It's a small thing but today I dropped the spare subframe off at work to be fettled slightly by getting the ARB mounts to be beefed up a touch (they are known to fracture as Ford skimped on the welds). Hopefully it'll be the lecturer but it may be a student let loose on it! Also gave them a rear strut where the pinch bolt had sheered when I was trying to remove the shock. That'll give them a good challenge to entertain them a while. 😛 

I'll probably pick them up next week and then get the subframe off to get galvanised before painting it up. I've decided against getting it powder coated at the same time as I am not sure it'll be durable enough to be under the car? Or am I being a bit over cautious (as it would be easier and more convenient to get them to do it). I was just going to lash it with chassis paint.

1 hour ago, inconsistant said:

Max Pow ytho?

yindeed

On 2/15/2022 at 2:35 PM, Supernaut said:

That looks ace on those wheels.

 

I've always wondered why Fiat don't shove the 1.4 turbo out of the Abarth 500 into the Panda. That would be an instant seller. All the performance of the 500 Abarth in an actually useful body shape! Hell, it would literally be a bolt-in job as they're the same car underneath anyway.

While my imagination is running wild, why not use the AWD system out of a Panda 4x4 too? 140hp+ and AWD in a car that size? Woaft.

I wondered this about the Swift, when I got my Sport I took a test drive the AWD verison too and found it 'adequate'. The chap in the dealership said it would need too much reworking of the AWD,  which I assume is a Haldex system, to make it worthwhile.  I also imagine the CO2 readings would be off the chart too?