Tales from the workshop; rebuilding the Saab 96 *July 9 update
I’ve posted pics of the strip-down and metal work in the past. But given some comments and PM’s lately after the shell has returned from the painter, I’ve decided to post pics of the rebuild on a more or less regular basis.
Let me know if you like the idea of (ir)regular updates.
https://i.postimg.cc/KvmMjyLn/AB9-AA...9090-EE5-D.jpg
I took my own Saab out for the trip to the workshop; the weather is brilliant and this car will act as a ‘’how to’’ as well. Think about the routing of the wiring loom!
Yesterday was ‘waxing day’. Always on a Friday morning so that there are two days for the wax to settle and cure. German brand Mike Sanders is the go-to stuff for that job. There are holes (factory) for that, everywhere in the bodywork. Saab’s legendary strenght was partly achieved by layers and layers of sheet metal. That needs attention ad well.
Next on the list is the wiring loom and the assembly (on the workbench first) of the underpinnings. All powder coated and with new rubbers, bushes etc. The plan is to get the car on its wheels asap. The current ‘carriage’ is firm and solid. But four wheels are better!!
https://i.postimg.cc/FRQK6jVj/D9-D5-...8-CB1-C816.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/SNtx40GQ/AAF82-...942-EADFB2.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/3w16Mhgn/EAAABB...2-AEBA8-F3.jpg
(But first, an XKR with the 8 cyl engine needs new timing chains… a large part of the Friday afternoon was spent on making bespoke tools to secure the crankshaft etc.
Jaguar had used lousy parts for that: plastic-coated tensioners, sloppy chain after 125k kms. A new set from the dealernis 800 euros. The whole job will be around 3k. For a dealer, this is a 5 - 7k job…
https://i.postimg.cc/h4XS0ZBH/FB7-B7...-EAB86-DFC.jpg
Tales from the workshop; rebuilding the Saab 96 *July 9 update
July 9 update.
As written last time: first job is making sure that the car's cavities a waxed. I think it smells wonderful, but that's not everybody's opinion I found out during this week! Next job: the underpinnings to get the car on its wheels asap.
For those who are familiar with a Saab 96 nothing new, for other perhaps it is: installing the front springs is by far the most dangerous job on this car. The springs need to be compressed and the design limits the type of spring compressors that can handle these monsters. Saab used to have a special tool for that:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4767/...2633faab_b.jpg
But no way that can be found somewhere. Then I found this on the internet:
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...ps6c35b5c9.jpg
And this:
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...ps180c3c15.jpg
Some serious cutting and welding later (not by me!), delivered a copy of the scissor compressor and the front springs went in like it was a walk in the park! Rear springs and shocks are next. Then the lower wishbones to complete it all.
https://i.postimg.cc/P5Z0bFTg/DB389-...2-A0-CA1-C.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/9M4kMx8g/597-A3...F7-F36-AB3.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/mrkXXXsZ/46-DB8...85866-A302.jpg
This morning I also took a pic of the wiring loom. A brand-new, bespoke wiring loom, built by a couple of guys in the NE of the country. They've used the old loom as reference. I have high hopes that it will fit like a glove!
https://i.postimg.cc/4yg1gwr9/D4-E21...12-F6133-F.jpg
And a box of shiny parts!
https://i.postimg.cc/MZ5BHWB4/BBD265...579574-E55.jpg
