Driveshaft replacement-HELP

[GearHead]

ok,my left outer CV joint failed.so I bought a LH and a RH rebuilt axel.I looked on twinsaabs on how to replace said parts.they provided usufull information, however they show the new style of brakes(88+). They say "undo the two bolts holding the pads to the caliper and then undo the two bolts holding the caliper on".As I said earlir they have the new brakes so intead of 4 bolts I have 2 19MM nuts that I CANNOT get off.All atempts have equaled partially stripped bolts.Even with a hex socket.So please help.Do the calipers need to come off to replace driveshafts on a 87 900S?If so, HOW?If it helps the bolts in question are on the left side front caliper.

[nutcase]

You can either take the caliper off or take the engine out

Remember, before you take the caliper off you can use the grip of the brakes to clamp the axle while you undo the centre nut of the driveshaft. If you thought the caliper bolts were tight...

A breaker bar, a decent 6 sided socket and patience should get the caliper bolts undone. Turn the discs until one of the cuttouts (2 per disc) is in line with the pads - then any lip on the discs should be minimal. You might still need to lever the pads apart a little to get the caliper off. No need to disconnect the fluid line. Alternatively, take the opportunity to change the pads and holding springs/u pin and the discs if they are worn.

[GearHead]

I dont know what to do!For some reason no matter witch way I try to turn the bolt on the caliper I can not get it to move.Thats with a 6 sided socket.And it still strips out.BTW the nut on the hub was easy-just use a 4FT long piece of pipe and a 1/2" breaker bar.however there is barly any room to put a 1/2" ractet on the trouble some bolts. I am at the end of my rope.What size drill can I use to drill it out?I dono maybe I'll just undo the brake line and just do a brake job...GRRRRRRRRRRRR.Will an impact hammer work?

[GearHead]

FOR SALE: one 1987 Saab 900S,lots of miles,FOR PARTS OR PROJECT


Im done.The jack bent,the bolt I was trying to remove complety striped.

[ProfZ]

I've never removed the caliper when changing an axle on a 900

True, my 900s both have the later-version calipers (handbrake acts on rear, not front), but I doubt there's that much difference.

Try this: Unhook the handbrake cable from the caliper. Undo nut holding the tie-rod end's taper in the steering knuckle. Whack knuckle "eye" (in which taper sits) a few times, with a small ball-pein hammer swung very quickly; the shock will kick out the taper.

Now, undo+remove upper balljoint nuts and bolts. You should now have enough wiggle room to pull the axle out of the knuckle. Just take care not to strain the caliper's flexible hose--you might zip-tie the knuckle to the spring to prevent this from happening while the axle's out.

Hope this helps--please let us know either way

[GearHead]

I'll try that.

[SAABotaged900S]

I have an 87 and was doing work along the same lines today, and I had the same problem.
I was trying to get to my driver's side wheel bearing- and my caliper bolts woeuldn't cooperate with me. I even hit them up with penetrating liquid (liquid wrench) and they wouldn't budge. I even tried an electric impact gun- no luck.
Here is what I did. I had 19mm bolts too, and they landed up getting stripped, so I was pissed. I took an 18mm socket and hammered it onto the bolt, and used a breaker bar. But here is the whole thing- there is very limited leverage because of the body, but I got it. Make sure the socket is flush against the caliper (it takes some effort) and have someone hold the bar straight against the bolt, and slowly pull it up.
That's how I got it- good luck

Tim
Yonkers, New York

[GearHead]

undid handbrake cable...CHECK

undid tierod...CHECK

undid ball joint bolts...IN progress...One of the lower bolts is practicly fussed to lower A arm,the nut is off,but the long bolt it be VERY stuck-try to move bolt=movement of A arm.

[GearHead]

Wait...do you mean the bolt right under the upper ball joint or the two beside the ball joint?if its the first,Im in big trouble...

[vwgtidriver]

first of all, you have a spacer in to remove load from your susp, correct?
the lower balljoint, leave that be.
The upper balljoint, take off the 19mm nut holding it to the spindle. give the stud a few taps with a ball pein, it should pop out.
Now your tie rod, remove the nut, and tap the stud out like the balljoint.
Now your caliper/steering nuckle assembaly should be able to fold down enough to remove your axle.
make sure you tie the caliper up while the axle is out or youll be doing brake lines to! Also do not spin the brake rotor without the axle inside, that will ruin your wheel bearing!
In my personal experiance the last couple days, i used my spring compressor and pulled the springs, this gave me all kinds of play and room to work, much easier.
good luck
eric

[SAABotaged900S]

Originally Posted by GearHead

Wait...do you mean the bolt right under the upper ball joint or the two beside the ball joint?if its the first,Im in big trouble...

The two side bolts I think are for the swaybar (I think its called). I disconnected the single bolts on the balljoints to free up the driveshaft.

[GearHead]

oops,great one bolt is smashed up,I'll drill it out and replace it... Should be a lot easier....

[GearHead]

I got the old broken pieces out.The ring that holds everything together on the CV joint exploded,thus rendering my car inoperatable.Anyway I put in the new driveshaft with the tripod end first-with lots of grease I might add,being carefull not to get it dirty.However now I can't get the CV joint side in.BTW I unbolted the upper Ball joint and tierod,just as I was supposed to,But I can't quite get the drive into the splined hole in the hub.HELP!

[cdaly]

It's been a long time so this is just speculation. You need to get the CV shaft lined up with the hub and the splines lined up also. Turning the rotor back and forth while trying to get the shaft in may suffice. Failing that, you could try pulling out the inner joint, then get the outer joint engaged and finally put the inner joint back again.

[nutcase]

Did one shaft on the 99 today - and just turning the disc a little got the splines to line up. But then I had no caliper on and both ball joints undone so it was nice and light and easy to move things round

[GearHead]

ITS ALIVE!!!ITS ALIVE!!!

Fixed it.Thank you all you helped point me in the right direction.