Is rattle with a/c on clutch related?

You know I almost hoped in some sort of strange way that no one else had this problem. Reason being that in a few years I was thinking about purchasing a new SAAB and doing euro delivery. As more and more of my problems become "common problems", I feel that I will need to step back, and really evaluate the various manufacturers before making my decision. I know this should probably be in a separate thread somewhere, but just a thought I had while re reading the topic. My thoughts with the rattles, and the other the random weird problems that everyone experiences, but saab never recalls, was that it is a very old car essentially, and is just not up to the build quality of newer cars, simply because most of the newer cars are new designs as well that incorporate the latest in design technology. Then I take a look over at the new 93 forums, and find that the same rattles, squeeks, seal leaks, you name it problems exist.

This is not ment to be a SAAB bashing post, as I really love the car, its just that at times SAAB can really frustrate me. It's like the son that always gets C's but you know he can get A's with a little effort, very frustrating.

Thanks for letting me vent...happy saabing!

Although at the end of the day, unless SAAB's crash worthiness goes down the tubes, I don't know if I could buy anything else.

Update

I spoke with the service manager this evening. According to him, the tech pulled the trans to inspect (it was fine) and replaced the clutch with all new. Apparently they do they whole thing and not replace just the bad parts. I'm being told the noise is gone and the car sounds fantastic, he said, "it sounds like a Saab should sound." ??

The culprit supposedly was a bad spring on the clutch disc. I guess that kind of make sense if you think about it. When the clutch is out and the car is in neutral the clutch disc is still pressed against the flywheel. It could be there was a loose or bad spring rattle against the flywheel or pressure plate. The a/c may have been making the noise more noticable by putting load on the engine causing more vibration. That would also explain why it stops when you press the clutch in...the clutch disc isn't pressed against anything it can rattle against. (hope that makes sense)

They are going to cold start in the morning and make sure the rattle is gone. I'm going over in the afternoon to test drive and listen for the noise. I'm hoping it's gone but I wish it would have been something covered under warranty.

I called Saab customer service to see if they will offer any assistance since it was not the clutch disc that was bad it was the spring(s) attached to the clutch. I'm hoping they will allow an exception under the category of "defective part" or at least offer some sort of relief on the $1500 bill.

I'll let you know what happens...stay tuned.