Keyboard Diagnosis Required - Gearbox Kernackered?

[WildCards]

I've just had to walk back from the supermarket as the car won't move.


I started the car to hear a whiny noise coming from the engine bay, I popped out to stick my head in the engine bay and the noise was coming from the drivers side, near the front. No messages were coming up on the SID and no new lights had come on on the dash. I stopped the car and started it again and all was fine. I engaged reverse to back out of my parking space, start to back out and there was a loud bang, the jolted forward as if i'd stalled it and a persistant rattly noise.

Still no SID messages or extra lights on the dash.

I immediately turned the engine off and jumped outside again, I left the handbrake off and pushed the car back a few feet (bloody hard work!) but couldn't see any extra fluid on the tarmac. It was dark so I couldn't see anything in the engine bay or under the car. I started the car again and the rattling was still there, constant. I revved the car slightly and the engine works fine, but the rattly gets louder with the revs.

Still no SID messages or extra lights on the dash.

I engaged all gears but the car wouldn't move an inch, it just made more noise when I applied more throttle. I've now walked home with the kids, Mrs and our shopping and left the car there until I can get hold of someone to tow me home.

Keyboard diagnosis required, my initial thoughts are that the clutch may have gone taking something with it, perhaps a release spring or something else. It could also be some snapped gearing mechanism within the box itself.

Thoughts?

[Beastlee]

I would definintely say gearbox, they are a weak point on all GM based SAABs. Have you been on SAABScene to ask too?

[WildCards]

I've just posted on UKSaabs, initial response is that Pressure Plate or Clutch Release Bearing may have gone.

[psbarham]

I've just posted on UKSaabs, initial response is that Pressure Plate or Clutch Release Bearing may have gone.

i'd have to agree with that, it sounds like the release bearing has gone to have words with the friction plate

[Nutter_John]

Yeah was going to suggest RB may have come out of the pressure plate (pull type )

if that is the case then i think it is a gbox off to get back in places , depends how much access you can get into the arm with

[Beastlee]

Steve, I'm not sure where you are in the Midlands but there's a dammn good SAAB specialist just outside Lincoln. He always worked on my SAABs and was very cheap despite doing a proper job.
Let me know if you need info.

[WildCards]

Paul & John, thanks for the info.

Lee, who's the specialist mate?

[Beastlee]

Dave Onyon, Feather's Garage. It's just off the A46, by the south Lincoln roundabout.

David J Onyon Saab Specialist

19 Fosse Lane, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 9BE

p: 01522681467

He's a trained SAAB specialist and is quite old school about things. If you go there it's not some high tech modern building which means he's not making the customer pay to cover stupid amounts of rent.
I really felt confident in the work he did and was quite happy to let me supply parts where I preferred. He used to be able to provide a courtesy car, an old 9000 at the time, if arranged in advance.

I fyo udo deal with him, say hi for me please, I spent a lot of time going back and forth with my poor old car.

[WildCards]

Thanks Lee, once i've narrowed down what it is I'll see what my options are. I may replace the clucth while i'm at it, if that's a big job, i'll certainly not be having a go myself.

[Davezj]

did the engine rev OK when it was in gear, as it could be a drive shaft, as if you have stipped the splines off a shaft the car will not go anywhere. but that is easy to check, get you head down a look at the 2 inner cups of the drive shafts when it making the grinding noise, and see if one of the cup is turning while the car is stationary.
if so stripped splines it is. if not the it will be something else. but it is a differnt option.

[WildCards]

Cheers Dave, i'm just waiting for my dad to get home and pick me up so I can tow it home. Once i've done that i'll have my head underneath with a torch for a good nosey.

[ANTHONY]

dame bad luck mate

[WildCards]

It revs and the needle certainly moves. The noise stops when I engage the clutch. I've now had a look under the car and there is CV boot grease all over the shop, but I can't get far enough under to see if that's a factor. I doubt it is TBH.

[Nick Mann]

Which needle moves? The speedo? If so then I'd suggest that the clutch could still be okay, but you have broken an output shaft or a drive shaft. CV joint is still a distinct possibility, especially if there is CV grease everywhere.

[WildCards]

Right, i've got the car back home and can now shed some light on what may be the issue.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u271/Wildcards_Album/My%20Cars/P1180010.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u271/Wildcards_Album/My%20Cars/P1180009.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u271/Wildcards_Album/My%20Cars/P1180011.jpg

[Nutter_John]

looks like you have snaped a driveshaft from picture 2

feck me that is mangled , good effort Steve :)

[WildCards]

Certainly not from my driving, i've barely driven it hard at all since picking it up with the bad weather and equally crap tyres that are on it.

If it's just the driveshaft i'll be quite happy all things considered.

[psbarham]

Jeezusssss keeeeerrisssttttt Steve that's immense, I have never seen that on a stock car :o

[WildCards]

Yeah, goodun isn't it. I just need to have the wheel off tomorrw and see if there's any other damage now.

[psbarham]

Yeah, goodun isn't it. I just need to have the wheel off tomorrw and see if there's any other damage now.

well i'd give it a 9/10 for effort mate, fingers crossed its a cheap fix, do you have an ikea near by? :p

[WildCards]

Nottingham is the nearest, i'm not sure i'd like to replace the driveshaft with a part named Malmo.

[psbarham]

Nottingham is the nearest, i'm not sure i'd like to replace the driveshaft with a part named Malmo.

it'll be fine. oem wouldn't it? :p

[WildCards]

I've managed to get hold of a complete replacement driveshaft for £30, should be here in a few days. Bonza!

[Davezj]

much easier job than a clutch, good result.

radar diagnostics does it again, or was it the dodge curry.

[Nick Mann]

:afro:

RAW POWER!!

Errr...... Or maybe not?

:P

[Turbo_Steve]

Fcuk me! That MUST be Kerbage, surely?

[WildCards]

The wheels are undamaged Steve and none look new. I suspect the shafts are made of polystyrene TBH, as a few owners have had similiar issues. That's jot to say it's common, just not unheard of.

ECP's wanted £300 for a driveshaft aswell!