Greetings fellow Saabophiles,
I have a 1995 900S with a very heavy clutch (much harder to press than
the clutch in my wife's car, also a 1995 900S).
Obviously, there is a spring against which I am pushing. Where is this
spring and is it possible/advisable/easy to replace it with an easier
one?
It's not really a problem in normal driving, but it gets pretty tiresome
when I'm in stop-and-go traffic.
Thanks for any advice!

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Doug Schwarz
dmschwarz&ieee,org
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still me - 16 Jul 2007 23:19 GMT
>Greetings fellow Saabophiles,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
>Thanks for any advice!
It's not the spring, and the spring is not adjustable. Either the
clutch is worn, or the cable is acting up. Either replace or have
replaced the cable. That fixes 9 out of 10 of these problems. FYI - if
the cable is that tight, it may break soon. Attend to this problem.
Doug Schwarz - 17 Jul 2007 00:00 GMT
> >Greetings fellow Saabophiles,
> >
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> replaced the cable. That fixes 9 out of 10 of these problems. FYI - if
> the cable is that tight, it may break soon. Attend to this problem.
Thanks for your comments, but I don't think it's the cable. The clutch
has been heavy since the car was new and there was no change (in that,
anyway -- I did notice a bit less friction) when the cable was replaced
after it did break some time ago. No mechanic has ever mentioned the
force as a problem so I have no reason to suspect that the cable is
about to break again.

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Doug Schwarz
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still me - 17 Jul 2007 00:19 GMT
>Thanks for your comments, but I don't think it's the cable. The clutch
>has been heavy since the car was new and there was no change (in that,
>anyway -- I did notice a bit less friction) when the cable was replaced
>after it did break some time ago. No mechanic has ever mentioned the
>force as a problem so I have no reason to suspect that the cable is
>about to break again.
Well, they do go after 50K miles, so keep aware. THe only other things
it could possibly be are the pressure plate or the arm that pulls the
yoke. I've never heard of the yoke being an issue. The pressure plates
come in differing spring rates (higher rates for the higher HP turbos)
but it is unlikely that your car has a turbo clutch in it - and there
should still not be that much difference.
Gary Fritz - 17 Jul 2007 19:19 GMT
> Well, they do go after 50K miles, so keep aware.
!? I've had 3 900's / 9000's with over 180k miles on them, and my current
9-5 Aero has 80k miles, and I've never had a clutch cable go.
still me - 17 Jul 2007 19:38 GMT
>!? I've had 3 900's / 9000's with over 180k miles on them, and my current
>9-5 Aero has 80k miles, and I've never had a clutch cable go.
Most of those don't have a cable operated clutch. The 900's might if
they are from '94-'98.
Al - 17 Jul 2007 21:50 GMT
>>!? I've had 3 900's / 9000's with over 180k miles on them, and my current
>>9-5 Aero has 80k miles, and I've never had a clutch cable go.
>
> Most of those don't have a cable operated clutch. The 900's might if
> they are from '94-'98.
Yeah you're right, they do have a cable.
We had a UK 1994 900s and the clutch was definitely heavy. However, it was
the most reliable Saab we've ever owned, (2 C900's and 2 9000's as well as
the NG900s)
Clutch and cable were changed by garage we bought from as they agreed it
felt heavy, but didn't make any difference and never had any further
problems the 4 years we owned it. (with anything other than consumables)
Al
Gary Fritz - 17 Jul 2007 22:54 GMT
>>!? I've had 3 900's / 9000's with over 180k miles on them, and my
>>current 9-5 Aero has 80k miles, and I've never had a clutch cable go.
>
> Most of those don't have a cable operated clutch. The 900's might if
> they are from '94-'98.
The 900's and 9000 were all '86-'89.
Everett M. Greene - 18 Jul 2007 16:45 GMT
> >>!? I've had 3 900's / 9000's with over 180k miles on them, and my
> >>current 9-5 Aero has 80k miles, and I've never had a clutch cable go.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> The 900's and 9000 were all '86-'89.
My 1984 99 had a cable-operated clutch and the cable broke on me
once.
Richard Sutherland-Smith - 23 Jul 2007 02:08 GMT
>>>>!? I've had 3 900's / 9000's with over 180k miles on them, and my
>>>>current 9-5 Aero has 80k miles, and I've never had a clutch cable go.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>>
>> The 900's and 9000 were all '86-'89.
> My 1984 99 had a cable-operated clutch and the cable broke on me
> once.
Must be a unique car, all my 99s have had hydraulic clutches?
Now my Lotus Elite has a cable clutch!

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Richard Sutherland-Smith
19 Webb Road, Wanganui 4500, NZ
Everett M. Greene - 24 Jul 2007 00:12 GMT
> >>>>!? I've had 3 900's / 9000's with over 180k miles on them, and my
> >>>>current 9-5 Aero has 80k miles, and I've never had a clutch cable go.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> > once.
> Must be a unique car, all my 99s have had hydraulic clutches?
I drove it for a couple of miles after it broke and I replaced it
before driving it again. As for it being unique,...
> Now my Lotus Elite has a cable clutch!
Rachel C. - 19 Jul 2007 17:08 GMT
> Greetings fellow Saabophiles,
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> dmschwarz&ieee,org
> Make obvious changes to get real email address.
Hi Doug-
I purchased a 1995 900s last year and felt the same about the clutch.
I lived with it until the cable broke and replaced it myself. We
thought with proper "adjustment" it might be better. (pulling on the
cable and letting go! Easiest adjustment EVER!) However, we've learned
from several other SAAB folks that it's pretty common for the NG900 to
feel this way. It is kinda rough in traffic, but damn, my left leg
sure is sexy! Maybe trade cars with your wife..... ;)
Rachel C.