Anyone have experience with this malady? My 91 900 has been loose at the top of the column like a bushing was MIA. Tonight it is worse. I have come to enjoy the ability to turn the steering wheel and have the car also turn.Do not want to lose this ability at in inoportune time. Like ever.
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Jan. 14, 2012 7:24 p.m. ls1fiero Reader
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Jan. 16, 2012 8:56 a.m. Powar Dork
What exactly is loose? I've encountered the issue in a few of them where you can grab the steering wheel and move it up and down.
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Jan. 16, 2012 8:23 p.m. ls1fiero Reader
Its a little different. It feels as if there is a bushing at the top of the column that is no longer there. The whole thing has a travel of 1 to two inches up and down, side to side. Not the most assuring sensation...
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Jan. 16, 2012 9:46 p.m. Feedyurhed Dork
I saw a Wheeler Dealer episode a few months ago where they fixed up a Saab 900 for resale. If I recall correctly they made mention in the episode that this was a common problem of the early 900s. The original gasket that holds the steering column in place as it passes through the fire wall wears out and you get play in it. There apparently is a retrofit which is essentially like a metal clamp that fits around it and holds it in place. A relatively cheap and easy fix that solves the problem.
FYI. Wheeler Dealer is a British show. They show it in the States on the Velocity channel. The episode should be easy enough to find online either through YouTube or something similar. Hope this helps.
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Jan. 17, 2012 8:51 a.m. Rusted_Busted_Spit SuperDork
In reply to Feedyurhed:
The 900 in that episode was a newer one than ls1 is talking about and I also believe that issue only affects right hand drive cars.
ls1,
I had a similer thing happen on my GTV-6 so take this with a grain of salt. anyway it turned out to be a U joint at the bottom of the steering column that was letting the wheel turn but not turning the front wheels.
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Jan. 17, 2012 9:55 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork
Feedyurhed wrote:
I saw a Wheeler Dealer episode a few months ago where they fixed up a Saab 900 for resale. If I recall correctly they made mention in the episode that this was a common problem of the early 900s. The original gasket that holds the steering column in place as it passes through the fire wall wears out and you get play in it. There apparently is a retrofit which is essentially like a metal clamp that fits around it and holds it in place. A relatively cheap and easy fix that solves the problem.
FYI. Wheeler Dealer is a British show. They show it in the States on the Velocity channel. The episode should be easy enough to find online either through YouTube or something similar. Hope this helps.
the early next gen 900s have a strange design where the steering rack is bolted to the firewall.. it's weak there and they will eventually tear through the sheet metal.
I wish I could help you, I just parted out a 900 and the steering column went with it to the J/Y
