I have an 04 Saab 9-5 estate. It’s the 2.2 tid engine with 97k miles on it

The clutch started slipping today but only intermittently in 5th gear.

Is this the beginning of the end? Could it be anything other than the clutch?

What sort of price for a new clutch and does the 9-5 have a DMF that needs changing too?

Sorry for the 101 questions.

Cheers

N

Sounds like the clutch is on the way out, particularly if its happening in 5th (high torque, low revs driving)

Could be cable adjustment but chances are it will be a self adjuster. Dunno about the DMF but the good news is a 2004 Saab is mostly a Vauxhall anyway so don’t let any garage fob you off with the teeth sucking, “specialist job them mate” attitude either.

My default setting with clutches is “replace everything” when your in there, anything else is false economy.

Dunno if it makes a difference to the diagnosis but it was slipping in fifth whilst I was trying to accelerate. Not when cruising at a steady speed.

Probably is the clutch. My van has started slipping under power in fourth and fifth, now 3rd is affected, but still hard to get any slip in first or second (yet)

Suprisingly difficult to drive in snow and ice when you can’t work out if the clutch is slipping or the tyres are spinning out!

New clutch on Wednesday, I’m not doing the flywheel unless its out of tolerances as its £360 for a clutch, but nudging £1000 for clutch + flywheel. I figure its worth gambling on £200 of labour at a later date if there is a fair chance I won’t need to spend £600 (parts only) on a flywheel.

P.S If the clutch pedal is lower than normal, that could indicate something is seizing up and preventing the clutch working properly.

I’ve an 07 focus 2.0tdci that’s starting to do this, slipping when accelerating in 5th / 6th for example joining the motorway.

Only noticed it the other week when it was 3 up with ski gear for the week. Now it’s just me it’s not doing it any more. Must be the beginning of the end for the clutch. Only 68K 🙁

Ok. Cheers for the responses

Looks like I need to get some quotes for a new clutch then way up if its worth changing the car or getting it done.

The reason it happens in higher gears is that the engine has just as much torque at the same engine speed, but the wheels are harder to turn due to the gear being higher. Same reason you are more likely to snap a chain when heaving on the pedals in a high gear than when you are spinning in a low one.

@johny panic. You can look forward to a £700 bill to fix the clutch and DMF on that Focus. Ask me how I know, go on…. 🙁

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/saab-9-5-23t-estate-advice-please

someone on this thread is / was a Saab mech and can probably actualy answer your question .

@boblo – go on then, you know you want to: 😥

Sorry. I think there’s a solid flywheel conversion available but I was a bit concerned about knackering the gearbox instead. The clutch went again 20k later, we got shot of the car then…

😯

The clutch went on my ’03 93 with the same 2.2tid engine just over a year ago. Was originally quoted over £500 for a replacement to be fitted, but after shopping around, I bought a Luk clutch for £230 and had it fitted locally for £130.

DMF did not need replacing and the mechanic said it was in good condition.

Do you intend to keep the car for another 97k miles?