Project Dumpster Fire - On the Road Again

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
10/03/2017 at 10:55 • Filed to: None

I’m a little behind on my road-worthiness updates, so forgive me if this seems sudden.

I drove the Saab to work today.

On the highway.

With 13 year old tires.

And an almost completely unknown everything.

The drive itself went pretty well. Getting up to highway speed was surprisingly effortless (these things really do have a great command of the road) and before I knew it I was in the middle lane passing people.

Then the shakes started. Turns out while my no-name, ancient rubber still holds air, I’m going to bet sitting for that long does some odd stuff to the balance. Anything over about 60 causes an alarming amount of shaking.

But that’s OK! The speed limit was 60 and I probably belong in the slow lane anyway. New tires will be here tomorrow. Now where is fifth?

Fifth gear? Anyone? Maybe if I... no...

Yeah ok apparently I’ve lost 5th. BUT THAT’S OK! Cars did fine with just four gears for a long time. (Looks like it is commonly a sheared pin in the linkage or an adjustment issue. Putting it on the list.)

So, in summary, the good:

Made it

Excellent road manners under 60MPH

Brakes, clutch, and steering are good

Radio works!

The Bad:

Fuel fumes from the tank leak get quite strong

Sloshing in the take causes fuel to slosh out while driving

5th gear is AWOL

O2 sensor needs replaced

LEDs cause the turn signals to blink too fast

Driver’s seat is collapsed

Clock is wrong

DISCUSSION (14)

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/03/2017 at 10:59

Lol well you make me feel better about my own hooptie. It just has no power steering, needs an intake gasket to pass inspection, and the brake lines are rusty so I may die at any moment. But otherwise its running pretty good. Its in the shop right now for a bad fuel pump but it should be a pretty solid daily after that.

CalzoneGolem > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/03/2017 at 11:01

How was the radio?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > CalzoneGolem
10/03/2017 at 11:02

Excellent! Well... except the actual radio antenna doesn’t work so no radio radio, but the bluetooth works!

CalzoneGolem > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/03/2017 at 11:08

That should go in the good list then haha.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/03/2017 at 11:09

This is making me want a Saab.

https://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/d/96-saab-900se-turbo/6308413586.html

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/03/2017 at 11:21

Always a good decision.

You will find that there is a big divide between pre and post GM Saab fans. A lot of them won’t even look at anything that was made after 1993.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > CalzoneGolem
10/03/2017 at 11:22

Good point! Edited.

Urambo Tauro > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/03/2017 at 11:30

I’m jealous! Road test is best test.

What’s this about the 5th gear linkage? Does it have anything to do with the shifter lock collar?

vicali > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/03/2017 at 11:32

The clock would be my last straw..

Kinja'd!!!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/03/2017 at 11:39

It seems like a great deal for a leather lined summer cruiser. I’m not going to find a BMW 3 series at that price in that condition. I would also tend to trust the Saab a bit more than a 3 series.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Urambo Tauro
10/03/2017 at 11:53

I don’t really know for sure yet, I just skimmed some posts so far. There is some special guide on the gearbox to help it into 5th, apparently. I guess there is a pin that can come loose? Also a few other adjustments to check.

I tried pulling up the reverse lockout and seeing if I could find it that way, but with no luck.

Urambo Tauro > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/03/2017 at 12:14

Hm. Well, we’ve got the shifter assembly halfway torn apart in my brother’s 900, so if there’s a weak point hiding somewhere in there, I’d like to address that before putting it back together. Hopefully yours turns out to be just a linkage issue or something relatively accessible.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Urambo Tauro
10/03/2017 at 12:19

IIRC, I think the shifter assemblies are known to be finicky and difficult to get right. I’ll post an update if/ when I figure out the problem with mine.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Urambo Tauro
10/03/2017 at 15:13

Well it’s not the pin...