UK based SAAB Aero convertible owner. This is an excellent video. Thank you.

Hello, this is Klaus with Top Hydraulics. Wow, that's an excellent video! Thank you, Ted, for being so straightforward and sharing. Model year '03-'09 Saab 9-3 "Next Generation" convertibles (starting with model year '04 in the US) all have seven hydraulic cylinders that actuate the top, stow it and latch it. All of these cylinders will leak eventually, just as they do in any other modern convertible. There are on average seven seals in each of these cylinders, and you will typically see them leaking first on the bottom. The seal decay is a general aging process that is sped up by heat. The manufacturer could have used a longer lasting seal material, but they did not. We find this in every modern convertible with a hydraulic top. Top Hydraulics does some fancy machining on these cylinders, and ends up replacing and upgrading ALL seals in them. We expect our rebuilt cylinders to last some 30-50 years, if installed properly and not abused. We have shipped many thousands of Saab cylinders, and we have an outstanding track record. We also offer core exchange, where we ship the parts from our inventory first, and it involves an additional deposit that gets refunded once we get a decent cylinder back. This way, your car is not down while you are waiting for your cylinder to come back, and you can swap most single cylinders in a half an hour to an hour. No worries about the o-rings that go on the hydraulic lines - Top Hydraulics provides new ones with every rebuilt cylinder, and we provide instructions on how to install them. Typically, the first cylinder to fail in a Next Generation Saab 9-3 is the front lock ("first bow") cylinder 12833515 or one of the tonneau cover lift cylinders 12833501 and 12833502. These are equally easy to take out. In fact, we would recommend to tackle the first bow cylinder and the two tonneau cylinders at the same time, because they tend to fail within roughly the same time span compared to the life of the car. However, if you are on a budget, it is easy enough to deal with them piece by piece as they fail. The first bow cylinder is accessible when the top is down, with the tonneau cover (storage cover) still open. You need to take it out of its latching mechanism. Take the retaining clip off the front end of the cylinder (same kind of clip as shown in this video). There are some small c-clips that hold the rear mounting pin in place. Pry the c-clip off with a small, flat screwdriver, and watch out that it doesn't go flying. Lastly, remove the hydraulic lines, replace the cylinder with one from top Hydraulics, and re-install. Here is a DIY pictoral on our website: www.tophydraulicsinc.com/2003saabinstructions.pdf Removal of the two tonneau cylinders is practically self-explanatory. They are mounted horizontally inside the soft top storage compartment - you can see them briefly at the beginning of this video. The right side main lift removed in this video is also called "top drive cylinder" or "seventh bow cylinder". It is part number 12833495. The matching left side cylinder is part number 12833494. It is identical to this cylinder, except it does not have the two travel sensors. The two small cylinders that lift the rear window section are called fifth bow or sixth bow cylinders. They are part number 12833509 for the right side and 12833508 for the left side. Removal of these cylinders requires you to take out the rear seat bench and the interior quarter panel trim (the trim piece next to the seats). Removal of the interior quarter panel requires you to find some hidden screws behind the loudspeaker. Note that the lower mounting pin has an M5 thread inside, which allows you to pull it out with a bolt after you have removed the retaining pin. For hydraulic fluid, there are a few choices. It is easy to re-fill the fluid in the system. The pump is in the trunk, forward right corner, behind a carpeted panel. There is a fill port on the reservoir, and a min/max marker. The system is self-venting, so all you have to do is add fluid. We generally recommend using Mercedes fluid 0009899103 or its generic equivalent FeBi 02615, because they have less of an odor to it than the Saab fluid. If you have a hard time finding them, then you can use Pentosin CHF-11S, which is almost identical to the original Saab fluid, and it is available in just about any car parts store.

@tedhargiss1056

5 жыл бұрын

Top Hydraulics: good information Klaus. Thank you for sharing. Your replacement cylinder worked great.

Ted, THANK YOU! Hands down, the best video I have seen covering ANY aspect of the 9-3 convertible top!

@tedhargiss1056

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jasmonahan. I appreciate the comment.

Great video. I have to replace the lower cylinder. Looks identical. Thanks for your help.

Super, excellent video and narrative. Thanks so much.

Thank you so much for this. I am in Australia and we also have a rebuilder in Sydney. I am in Perth (about 4500km away). You have saved me a fortune. BTW. I struggled to get the clips that hold the plastic hydraulic pipes in place, but a bit of leverage and force got them out. ALL the O rings were in the Ram. Thanks again!

@tedhargiss1056

4 жыл бұрын

I'm glad it helped Chris. Thank you for the kind words.

Very clearly explained , awesome!!!

I had this exact same issue. These cylinders cost $600 new and $250 used . Too complicated to do myself, so I had to pay another $800 to have it replaced

Awesome video, very well done, Thanks... had to replace 2 of my boot cylinders on a 2004 and thanks to you it just made it a lot easier..

@tedhargiss1056

6 жыл бұрын

Tadeus Ochman Thanks a lot. I'm glad it was helpful.

@TopHydraulics

5 жыл бұрын

Tadeus Ochman, congrats on getting your boot cylinders replaced. Those are the two "tonneau cylinders" part number 12833501 and 12833502. They are mounted horizontally in the storage compartment. The left one is briefly visible at the beginning of Ted's video.

Outstanding video. Thank you!

@tedhargiss1056

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Thanks so much for this vid. I just purchased a 2003 9-3 Conv with only 64K miles. The roof works fine but I'm paranoid one of the cylinders will leak :) Good to know what to look for, where and that Top Hydraulics can rebuild them for a fraction of the price of a replacement.

Thank you very, descriptive video.

@tedhargiss1056

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks John

Good job buddy, from downunder ! 😀

@tedhargiss1056

6 жыл бұрын

Steve Williams Thanks mate.

Bravo. This video was perfect. Question: are there more cylinders than one?

@tedhargiss1056

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Glamel. I had Top Hydraulics (TH) replace my bad one. Klaus from TH commented here that "model years '03-'09 Saab 9-3 "Next Generation" convertibles ... have seven hydraulic cylinders that actuate the top, stow it and latch it." I only had to replace one of mine.

Great video. Thank you so much. I about puked when they quoted me $3100.00 to replace all 4 rear cylinders (yes all 4 leaking at the same time) so I too am going to attempt this myself (and I am a girl) and send to have rebuilt. Thanks again. Wish me luck.

@tedhargiss1056

6 жыл бұрын

Good luck. I have no doubt you can do it - girl or not, makes no difference. I taught my 18-year-old daughter how to do most things on her Jeep.

@shannonmugavin9181

6 жыл бұрын

Ted Hargiss my Dad did too. Priceless knowledge and priceless Father daughter time.

@TopHydraulics

5 жыл бұрын

Shannon, you can do it! Please see my response to Ted's video with more details on how to remove the other cylinders, or simply contact me if you need more advice. There are six cylinders in the rear, so let's find out first which four are leaking. You will find fluid either on top, where the black shaft goes in and out of the cylinder housing, or on the bottom (or through the mounting hole for the mounting pin on the tonneau cylinders). If you leave the top open in the same position as Ted had it in his video, then you will be able to examine all six cylinders in the rear.

@lwinckowski

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ted - as I put my top down, it got stuck, I checked the hydraulics, while it was at "half-mast" and saw that both hydraulics were leaking oil (which I thought was an oil leak under the car). The top has been making a lot more noise as late. Any idea if this is just a fluid replacement issue, or do you think I need them rebuilt, if they can be?? Thanks, I am also a GIRL, but will take this on to save $$ - GREAT VIDEO! But I am SCARED! lol

Finally you rebuild the pump and it is working? How much did it cost?

@tedhargiss1056

6 жыл бұрын

I did get the hydraulic cylinder rebuilt and back in the Saab. But, then I had to replace the sensor also...more money. It is all back together and working. $200 for the cylinder, $230 for the sensor.

@TopHydraulics

5 жыл бұрын

Yikes! $230 for the sensor? Wish you had contacted us. We sell them to customers for whom we have already rebuilt cylinders. More importantly yet, in most cases where a sensor is diagnosed as bad, it ends up being just a bad wire from the computer to the sensor.

G'Day :) I have a 2004 Linear and have noticed fluid dripping from the bottom of the passenger rear wheel arch. The filler bottle is emptying somewhere, roughly 100ml. the top works perfectly but i have to top it up each time. After one use of closing/opening it is completely empty. Is this the 5 th bow?

@tedhargiss1056

4 жыл бұрын

It sounds like a bad seal/o ring on the hydraulic hose in the cylinder.

@allysondakin5634

4 жыл бұрын

@@tedhargiss1056 thank you for the quick reply :) Does that require a new cylinder? or rebuild? thank you

@tedhargiss1056

4 жыл бұрын

Depending on the actual problem, it could just need new o rings. But, if the cylinder is bad/damaged, it will need to be replaced or rebuilt. I went with the rebuilt option.

Will this work on a 2002 Saab 93 convertible? I can't find any videos on how to fix the same problem

@tedhargiss1056

7 жыл бұрын

Though the cylinder was bad on my Saab, it did not fix the problem. Additionally, the sensor attached to the same cylinder was bad - the one I show being removed as part of the disassembly. Once I replaced that as well, the problem was resolved. It is likely it will fix yours as well.

@ahmadx1998

7 жыл бұрын

Ted Hargiss What if the top doesn't come up at all? Could it be a problem with the motor ? I recently put wd 40 all in in the cylinders plus I had to manually put it up because it was stuck. What's your suggestion to what I should replace ?

@tedhargiss1056

7 жыл бұрын

Could be a number of things - ram, sensor, clasp, hydraulic fluid, obstruction, etc. What are the symptoms? Does it make any sounds when depressing the button? Does the lid open? Do you get any error messages on the display? It is hard to isolate the problem without troubleshooting. I had to take mine to a shop and have them diagnose the problem. I did the repair work myself, but it was beyond my ability to troubleshoot.

@ahmadx1998

7 жыл бұрын

Ted Hargiss When I hold down the roof button, I hear the motor for a few seconds than it stops. The top doesn't go down but I hear the motor turning on & off when I hold the button.

@ahmadx1998

7 жыл бұрын

Ted Hargiss lid doesn't open. It use to before I put wd 40 all back there.

Hi Ted, My convertible will fully close and open with no problem, but the car always assumes it's opened when closes. I assume it's the sensor that is bad. Where can I buy the sensor alone?

@tedhargiss1056

6 жыл бұрын

Joseph Fadhil, you're probably right; the sensor is most likely bad. I got mine from esaabparts.com/.

@louiseflosi5384

5 жыл бұрын

@@tedhargiss1056 a Where can I have my Hydraulic cylinder rebuilt

@tedhargiss1056

5 жыл бұрын

Louise Flosi: Check the link in the description for Top Hydraulics.

Hi Ted. thanks for the video, very well created. Can you give me your input, just bought a 2005, and sometimes it opens, most of the time it gives a message of "obstructed object, please remove..bla, bla". My guess was the mechanism the makes the motion is probably worn out, thanks to your video, now I know what part is the motion maker, so do you think the hydraulic cylinders may be my problem too?....can you share the link where they refurbished yours?

@tedhargiss1056

7 жыл бұрын

Heber Ontiveros, thanks for the comments. The link to the refurb shop is in the description. I would get the same message as you. In my case, while the cylinder needed to be rebuilt, the sensor attached to it needed replacing also. Once I replaced it, the top worked again.

@centaurojz

7 жыл бұрын

I see it, can you share how much did you pay for each?

@tedhargiss1056

7 жыл бұрын

A refurbed/rebuilt cylinder is $200 Top Hydraulics. The sensor was $232 from eSaabParts.com.

@TopHydraulics

5 жыл бұрын

Hello Heber Ontiveros, have you been able to find the cause and fix it? An "obstructed" message in your dashboard's instrument cluster typically happens when the pump is not able to move the top or the tonneau cover (storage cover) due to a lack of fluid. The first thing to do is always checking the fluid level in the pump, in the forward right corner of the trunk.

does a 98 saab 900 s have the same set up ??

@tedhargiss1056

6 жыл бұрын

1998 was a first gen Saab convertible. There was a change in design beginning in 2003. I do not know if the convertible ram (cylinders) architecture changed. However, all convertibles need a mechanism to lower the top. Therefore, I'm sure the ram that I replaced is similar in your vehicle; it just might be situated slightly different.

@TopHydraulics

5 жыл бұрын

The 900S has a very different setup. It has a low-pressure hydraulic system with very cheaply made parts in it, which are not rebuildable. You will have to find aftermarket replacement cylinders.

Hey mate, great video. Mine started to leak from the right hand side top trim just above the right back seat. The fluid smells like a hydraulic fluid. What it could be? Have lost like 100 ml of that fluid. Cheers from UK

@TopHydraulics

5 жыл бұрын

Crazy Horse, fluid above the rear seats normally comes from the first bow cylinder 12833515 (which locks the front of the soft top to the front windshield), or from the hoses going to that cylinder. With the top down but the storage cover still open, remove the trim piece at the front end of the soft top, and you will find the first bow cylinder. Here are some more detailed instructions on how to remove that trim piece and the cylinder: www.tophydraulicsinc.com/2003saabinstructions.pdf. Top Hydraulics offers core exchange, where we send a cylinder from our inventory first, then you send your old one back for a refund of the core deposit. Chances are higher that it is your first bow cylinder (front lock cylinder) leaking, because it starts leaking slowly, whereas the hose normally have a catastrophic failure where they are routed around one of the hinges.

@joescores19

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you mate, extremely helpful. I am not confident that I could do it on my own but I just might give it a go (As my mechanic hates doing the tops).

@TopHydraulics

5 жыл бұрын

Crazy Horse, at the very least, you can find out on your own where the leak is coming from. Stop the roof's cycle with the top partially off the windshield, and you will be able to find the hoses under the canvas, so that you can look for spray from one of the two hoses going to the top lock cylinder (first bow cylinder). If the hoses seem okay, then lower the top into the storage compartment, but still leave the compartment cover open. From there, remove the trim piece at the front of the headliner, and take a look at the cylinder. Trim piece removal is described in our DIY instructions www.tophydraulicsinc.com/en/content/59-2004-2011-saab-9-3-info - it is easy. If it is the cylinder, then you can undoubtedly do the replacement yourself, guided by our DIY instructions.

@joescores19

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you mate. Ok, after seeing the location picture, mine leak came out from-the right 5th or 7th bow cylinder. The fluid started to leak when I was putting the roof back up. I am just worried that if I remove any of those 2 cylinders, I will get even more fluid on my car, resp. what to do if one of the fluid lines is just loose? Is that a possibility? And if so, do I need to somehow replace the already leaked fluid? I think I lost around 50 ml of the fluid. Many thanks.

@TopHydraulics

5 жыл бұрын

The pressure in these system is very high when the pump is running - equal to that in a power washer/pressure washer. The pressure will be released once you turn off the ignition. Of course, you cannot operate the top with the pump once one of your hoses is removed from the cylinder. You simply have to find the exact source of your leak, take care of it, and finally replace the lost fluid after you have fixed the source of the leak. The hoses are never just loose, unless someone has recently taken them out of the cylinder.