I bought a 2005 Saab 9-3 convertible with leaky hydraulic cylinders. These are about $200 to have rebuilt, over $500 to buy new and at least $150 to buy used. I fixed mine for less than 30 minutes of time and a 10 cent Oring.
I hope this helps others as this information was nearly impossible to find online.
Here is the video that showed some of how to do this youtube.com/watch?v=XY9wqDKjvhw&t=42s&ab_channel=bpetertubebpetertube
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I have no problem with my hydraulics as far I know. A few weeks ago I hit some bad potholes and speed bumps and got a SID message about open/close top before driving and then I was stuck in manual operation only. I would go into manual mode and if I open it up partway I can then use my dash button to open or close. Immediately it would work as normal but after sitting it would not. Still trying to figure it out.
My main cylinder started to leak, that's the one that raises and lowers the soft top into it's compartiment… It leaks over the top right at the moving part, since there is no hole where the pin fits, if I cut around the cylinder it will pop out for sure… any input of how to hold it together??
Just did the same on my 2004 ARC! Thank you & Scott's video now it's fixed…Old O-ring is so brittle it fell apart in my hand.
Great Video! thinking of buying one of these Saab Convertibles as my retirement toy.
Hi, do you know if same repair can be done also on older 93 from 1999 to 2003 at home?
Great DIY repair on the cheap! Well done Corey and thank you for sharing.
Wish this was up three years ago! Thanks for this. I sort of figured it out at the time with some older videos, and bought two remanufactured cylinders for $400.00. It was still a bargain considering the old SAAB specialist place near me wanted $3,600 for this job!!!!!
My bad- I see the response below.
Corey-
I am by profession a photographer and clearly not a Saab mechanic but after watching your video I’m pretty confident I can do this except for one thing… “Random “O” rings”? Any idea fir a starting point for such?
Great video. Do you know if 2002 Model cylinders can be repaired in the same way?
Thank you for this great video! I have the 1st bow cylinder leaking on my '2004 and I had no clue on now to disassemble it. But now things will move!
I also consider that in theory some leaks may be caused by the overpressure caused by jam of the returning hydraulic line or the valve.
What size oring
Thanks for the mention to my shop channel Aroostook auto glass. YouTube lost the first part of my 2 part series on doing this.