Special tool? To do brakes? Gosh, if Saab really did this to the 9-3's I'm glad I stuck with the 9k. What exactly is this special tool?

Paul

 

Needle nose pliers? If you are patient. Otherwise you can get a rear brake tool from the parts store for like $50 or so.

 

Yep, I just learned one of the joys of Saab ownership. My 9-3 is in need of rear brakes at 25,000 miles. I'd like to do it myself, but I need a $200 "special tool" to perform the task. The dealer quoted me about $200 to do the job.

Does anybody have said special tool that they'd be willing to loan(or rent)me? I'd pay shipping both ways, or if it's reasonably local pick up and return it personally.

My rears have gone 65,000 and need to be done also. Do you have the write up for this job or know a good manual? I have a 2006 9-3SS Aero and have not done any repairs on it as of yet. I have done my NG900 a few times but I understand the newer 9-3's are different and don't have the same E-brake set up.

 

65K and never done rear brakes? On an Sport Sedan? Damn that's gotta be some kind of record.

 

Also a good cheat is on the Vented rears you don't have to remove the caliper bracket to change rotors. (Still have to fight the e16s on the base brakes.

 

That's what I was told. I still would feel better if I could find a write up or a manual on the job. I heard it is not in the WIS for the newer Sports Sedan.

 

Yep, I just learned one of the joys of Saab ownership. My 9-3 is in need of rear brakes at 25,000 miles. I'd like to do it myself, but I need a $200 "special tool" to perform the task. The dealer quoted me about $200 to do the job.

Does anybody have said special tool that they'd be willing to loan(or rent)me? I'd pay shipping both ways, or if it's reasonably local pick up and return it personally.

Special tool? To do brakes? Gosh, if Saab really did this to the 9-3's I'm glad I stuck with the 9k. What exactly is this special tool?

Paul

It's not all that uncommon, and not unique to Saab's either.

Just take your time and use a needle nose.

 

Y'all would think y'alls never worked with a front handbrake 99 / 900 :lol:

 

They probably haven't!

There are plenty of these type of tools out there, they are not necessarily expensive or uncommon.

 

I still have no idea what this "special tool" is that we're talking about?

 

http://www.google.com/products?sour...=UTF-8&ei=lfmfSoHpHZDunQfauInuDQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1

 

It fits into the piston of the caliper and allows you to rotate the piston as you compress it, which reset the handbrake mechanism. Front hand brake 900's needed a similar tool, as do lots of cars.

I always use needle nose pliers and a c-clamp.

 

It fits into the piston of the caliper and allows you to rotate the piston as you compress it, which reset the handbrake mechanism. Front hand brake 900's needed a similar tool, as do lots of cars.

I always use needle nose pliers and a c-clamp.

I still have no idea what it is or why I'd need one.

 

No idea! There are plenty of options out there...I would suggest measuring the pin spacing and see what one will work.

 

OK, if I understand you guys correctly it's a tool to compress the pistons in the caliper. NOT a tool to actually remove the caliper. Thats still handled by an hex key?

 

I can't confirm removing the caliper. It is a 7mm hex bolt on the Viggen. Which is a somewhat odd size but not un-findable.

 

I have done in the past, is just use a vise grips, to just spin the piston back into the caliper, just make sure that you don't rip the boot

 

you are correct, it is a 7mm, all of the caliper bolts that i know of are 7mm. You can get it from any major tool vendor, or napa or carquest might have it, not for sure. The special tools, spins the piston back into the caliper, not sure why saab did it that way, cuz 9-5 and everyother car, you don't need this tool, just for rear 9-3

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mast...0Q2em14QQhashZitem5ad2b0d160QQitemZ390081859936QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

I bought a lesser priced kit for about $70 off Snap On - it's not made by snap on however, but carries lifetime warranty.

 

It's now $109.00. Do both rear calipers need rotating back in?

 

Thanks Jeff. I went ahead and bought the kit from ToolTopia.com for $67.22 plus shipping for a total of $73.76.

 

Thanks for all the info and help, especially the pdf link. $109 is still better than the $200 Saab quoted me.

A search of Autozones website shows none in stock anywhere near me.

 

ToolTopia.com Holmes. Good price and reasonable delivery. I'll let you know how it works out before you commit.

 

Look and see how much pad you have left. Are the pads cutting groves in your rotors?

 

The pads don't look bad, and no grooves in the rotors. It only has to last until next weekend.

 

I just got the Sunex set from ToolTopia.com., Jeff do you know which adaptor to use for the 9-3SS?

 

Love my Sunex tools!

I needed a similar tool on a Mini Cooper a few months back. I bought a caliper retraction tool for 12$ at VIP, but in the end just used needle nose pliers and some force.

 

OK, can someone explain the use of needle nose pliers in relation to this job?

I'm old school, C-clamps and a piece of wood were all we needed to get caliper pistons retracted.

 

There are 2 holes on the face of the piston.

Line up the needle nose pliers such that one part of the jaw is in a hole.

Push and turn.

Might take some force.

 

Cheers, thanks Champ!

 

Do the front calipers require the same tool?

 

I would guess no since the e-brake is not associated with them.

 

And be careful when you are doing it. On the '87 front e-brake c900's you could push the piston out the back side of the caliper, thusly ruining it (or at least it needs a rebuild). Ask me how I found that tidbit out.

Your design might be different, but just a mild heads up.

 

That is a concern of mine. I printed the job from the PDF on Genuine Saab but it doesn't say how far to rotate them in.

 

It's going to Just Saab on Friday, I've been slammed this week and just don't have the time to deal with it.