Saab 900 Classic, How I changed to short throw shifter.

The gear shifter stick in my convertible was very wobbly and very "inaccurate" when shifting gears. And the stick was rattles and quivers when driving on uneven roads or on cobblestone roads.
The ball linkage was so worn out.
So I descided to try out some recomended short throw shifter.
So here we go.
Link for where to order it:
www.modernclas...

[@SantoLuzbel]

Terje: you are the most patient and meticulous explainer of process (22mm +-0.5mm, for example). Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@rsmith6894]

I just installed the C900 Short-Throw Shifter from Modern Classic Saab. As Terje says , this makes a huge difference. Transforms the drive from great to very sporty. Solid gear changes, no slop. My car is a 1991 SE Turbo. Thanks for the video.

[@sirhhenry9379]

You have by far the best videos on DIY work on the Saab 900 series well detailed steps.

[@TerjeNormann]

Thank you very much. But is my english understandable enough, or should I stay with the texting?
I know, for others who also have a hard time to understand english speaking, it can be even harder to understand if it is bad spoken... ;)

[@loftalofta8423]

@@TerjeNormann Your english is perfect Terje, love the clear explainations at the end too. Understanding how things work always mechanic work easier!

[@SantoLuzbel]

I think your explanations and calm manner are the best how-to’s for working on 900s.
Thank you so much for posting your videos.

[@SaycoPworrell]

Awesome, planning on getting this for my SAAB someday. Thanka Terje

[@jordanpagano1051]

Nice review Terje! Just to note, the spherical bearing is Teflon-lined , so, no need to lubricate it. Glad to hear you are happy with the product, would love your driving impression as well after you get used to the new motions.

[@TerjeNormann]

I have already driven with this shifter some miles, and it feal like a dream compared to the spongy old one.
A real long test drive have to wait to next spring.
It is too soon winter here now, and my vert will be winter stored very soon now.
Good to know the linkage is teflon coated.
Next drive comfort hunting work for my vert now is to replace my old KYB chocks to B4s.
They are waiting in the garage.
Almoust nothing more to come up with for my vert now to improve the driving comfort.
*All suspension refurbished
*Steering rack refurbished
*Engine mounts replaced
*Steering collumn refurbished
*Ratteling clutch pedal refurbished
*All brakes refurbished
*Seats restored
*Gear shifter upgrade
*Gear rubber linkage replaced
I wish to refurb my gearbox, and have a dream about to T5 it.

[@SaycoPworrell]

Hope to see your T5 how to!😊

[@michelvenus2234]

Hello Terje. I have installed a short shifter in my 900 classic. It's also a little shorter stick as original. I bought it a few years ago from someone from Poland. It was a groupbuy from the Dutch Saab-Forum. It was possible to order a normal length and a little shorter, so I ordered a shorter one. It's not bad,but as you mentioned the knob can turn around. I have to save a little money because I want to buy more stuff from mcs. I can't wait to install this part from mcs in my 900. And your English is very understandable, thanks for this video.

[@TerjeNormann]

Yes, I have seen some of the group buying on several forums for some short shifters.
If you real like the shorter stick, it should not be much trouble to make this shifter shorter too.
Just to cut of the top, and make the side slot same deeper.
And the thin reverse lever rod must be cutted same length, heated and get a new bend at the top.

[@vel0city96]

I have one on the shelf ready to install once my gearbox is back in the car, so I'm looking forward to the feeling of not stirring a pan of soup 😅
One thing though: how's the shifter rubber? The one connecting the shifting rod with the gearbox? In my previous Classic that one was weakened by both age and a slight steering rack leakage resulting in a very wobbly shifter and ultimately leading to the rubber tearing resulting in not being able to find 1st or 2nd gear. A new rubber solved that, but it also greatly improved the shifter feeling. I'd recommend changing that rubber as well next to this short shift upgrade if it hasn't already been done (or if you have the older type round rubber, that thing apparently lasts a lifetime).

[@TerjeNormann]

I have the square block type rubber linkage, and...yes I did replace it last year at the same time I pulled and restored the steering rack.
I did shoot video of the rack job, but I was in a hurry when doing it.
It was almoust so the wife was standing beside me with the vacation bagage waiting for me to finish the rack and drive away fogr our convertible vacation.. Hehe
So that video I'm not so satisfied with to make a RUclips video of.
I did have one more spare rack I planned to restogre too, so my plan was to make a better vitdeo from that later.
But before I got it done, I sold it As it was.
But, if you want the shifting even more precise and soorty, someone out there do sell a metal uni joint type of shifter linkage.

[@Nathan-hu5zd]

@@TerjeNormann Did you perform the shifter alignment procedure when you replaced the shift shaft couple rubber? Using the 6mm drift pins in the shifter and the shaft where it emerges from the transmission, using the differential cover cast slot to locate the pin?

[@SaycoPworrell]

Hi Tweje, how's the glue holding up 2023. Plan on doing this work, you recommend?

[@TerjeNormann]

What glue?

[@SaycoPworrell]

@@TerjeNormann black glue used to secure the window to the cloth.

[@TerjeNormann]

@@SaycoPworrell Ahhh...
Not easy to understand since you did not comment about it in the actual video... Hehe
I dont know, because that repair was just to make the top hold together for a couple of years until I could afford to replace the entire top.
And I did replace the top two years later, so now everything is fresh and new, all done by myselfe.