Saab C900 handbrake cables| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

02Pilot SuperDork
1/8/20 4:05 p.m.

I posted this up on Saabnet and Saab Central, but there's way more traffic here, and I know we have some C900 people.

The handbrake on my 89 900S is not terribly effective. I've adjusted the calipers and they seem to be doing what they're supposed to, leading me to think the cables are the problem. I know the right one is seized, so that's obviously a major part of the issue. The left one moves, but it doesn't seem to apply as much force at the caliper as it should, leading me to believe it's stretching.

The question here is replacement parts. Supplies seem to be out there, but scant; eEuroparts has the one side, and I've seen the other on eBay from time to time. I do wonder if there's another, possibly updated, part that will interchange and is more readily available. Replacement looks pretty straight-forward, but any tips are welcome.

XLR99 GRM+ Memberand Dork
1/11/20 11:29 a.m.

I just saw your thread on Saabnet too & figured I'd reply here, since Scott seems to be censoring posts involving non-eEuro parts suppliers. I'm (slowly) starting to think about maybe getting to work on my small collection of non-running Saabs & went down a bit of a rabbit hole last night investigating the parts pipeline situation.

I did find the rear caliper rebuild kits on ebay from Lithuania (!) :

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Repair-Kit-brake-caliper-for-VOLVO-SAAB-480-E-B-18-F-AUTOFREN-SEINSA-D41085C/113178704113?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D3ff98cb8b0a34cd79b7f13c51b9406ec%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D113178704113%26itm%3D113178704113%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Ad9645065-3496-11ea-ba5b-74dbd1809719%7Cparentrq%3A95a04dab16f0aa669626a586ffa4d1f2%7Ciid%3A1

And I also discovered that PartsGeek allegedly has both e brake cables:

https://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/parking_brake_cable/saab/900.html

(Search includes both C900 & NG900 parts)

HFmaxi Reader
1/11/20 12:26 p.m.

https://www.blunttech.com/shop/replacement-parts/brake/W0133-1624649-PPS

https://www.blunttech.com/shop/replacement-parts/brake/W0133-1842017-PPS

Pro Parts Sweden cables.

For a second I had read 1985 and thought you had a front wheel ebrake... those were "fun".

02Pilot SuperDork
1/11/20 12:41 p.m.

Thanks, folks. I didn't know Blunt carried Saab stuff; I've used him occasionally for 2002 parts.

Parts availability for these cars is all over the place, as is pricing. The left cable at eEuroparts is ~$25, while Blunt has it for double that, but eEuro doesn't list the right cable at all.

Based on what I'm reading in the description, my car should have 1-piece cables, and I guess I have to replace them with the updated 2-piece units, so it seems I'll have to do both sides.

matthewmcl New Reader
1/11/20 2:19 p.m.

Years back I wanted a motorcycle clutch cable routed differently than stock. I found a place that did custom cables and spent close to OEM money. Cables are pretty simple and custom from a good US company may get you a really nice part. I expect you would need to soend time with pictures to identify ends, but that may work if you stop being able to find what you need.

Matthew