It ONLY COST $5 To Fix My BROKEN Saab 9-5 Windows

I haven't been able to roll the driver window down on my 2002 SAAB 9-5 since I bought it 3 years ago. I've had these parts for a few years but I dread taking door panels off so I put the job off until the window wouldn't go back into it's track this week. Once I pulled the door panel off I found that mostly everything inside the door panel had been ruined, so we're going to fix basically everything in one go. As a bonus the rollers only cost $5 and everything else was free.
Replacement Window Roller: www.esaabparts.com/saab/parts...
MERCH: shopWatchJRGo.com
Shop Motul: motul.com
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Common Questions:
What motorcycle do I ride? A few. Ducati 1198, Honda Goldwing, Honda Grom, Honda Ruckus
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Can you wheelie? No, I suck.
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Where can I keep up with you off the bike?
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Do you go to school? College, for 2 classes.
Why do you ride so dangerously? What do mean? I was doing 25.
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Do you play video games? No, but I might stream N64 Goldeneye at some point. Twitch: WatchJRGo
Are you afraid the police will watch your videos and arrest you? Something something evidence something something warrants and due process of law
#SAAB #SAAB95 #TURBO

[@lgunderso2117]

From a guy who did this job on his 4 9-5's: Pull the trunk/fuel release buttons first. Then, start pulling the upper trim from the mirror control. pop the mirror control out, disconnect with a pick while the rest of the trim piece is held in place- not an issue here because it was broken, but hard to do when it's in one piece. Use a regular screwdriver with a t40, not a t40 socket. PUSH UP on the door panel when removing- looked like pieces were missing, but DO NOT just pull sideways on an intact door panel. Use a razor blade to cut the adhesive on the vapor barrier in half so you can stick it back to itself (not shown due to lack of vapor barrier). As noted via text, don't take the pins out of the rollers- just shove the balls on the arm in the hole. MAKE SURE TO REPLACE BOTH ROLLERS- the other will fail soon. Clean and lube track. Reassemble, but leave the rear section of the top trim unclipped until the panel is fully back in place- you need to bend it to slide the "pin" into the gap in the bottom trim- was broken here. Not a hard job, should take 15-20 minutes per door once you get the hang of it. Longest part is carefully cutting the vapor barrier adhesive. Did all 4 doors on my 06 this winter in an hour. Back when I had the 04 I had a window roller fail in Detroit in the middle of winter. Had to leave it open for 6 hours then drive home to Toledo. Don't want that to happen again. Was very cold, noisy.

[@bren70ssss94]

Windows 95 would have been a better title 😂

[@AndyZ325is]

Perfect timing J.R. Just laid down for the night to catch up on some prior episodes and boom, a new one pops up. Love the Saab videos. Thanks! Tell your Dad we love his cameos also!

[@robertlevandowski4457]

I remember doing this replacement on my '00 9-5. It can be mostly done with the tool that came with the car: a reversible screwdriver that's slotted on one end, Torx on the other... and the handle had a peg on the back side designed to pop the button in on those push fasteners to just the right depth. It slotted into the foam surround next to the spare tire. You could do a heck of a lot of maintenance with that screwdriver. Light bulbs, cabin air filter, etc., all just needed that screwdriver. In these cold months, you can appreciate one of the things I loved most about the Saab: Pretty much all the radio/HVAC buttons (and other controls) are big enough to be used with ski gloves on. (And back in the pre-Internet days, the original Saab radio-before GM's interior facelift that substituted the GM corporate radio-came with the very useful NOAA Weather Band. Used that many times on long New York Thruway trips in winter...)

[@lgunderso2117]

I was so sad my 04, 05, and 06 did not have noaa weather radio. one of the great features on the 9000.

[@johnds6621]

Never question JR's abilities. He's a smart guy who knows all the angles.

[@skynetd-termination98]

Felt the pain but still miss my Saabs all the time! Love seeing the 9-5. You'll never run out of things to fix on it...content forever!

[@eldonerc2524]

I just use an exhaust cutter to open my oil filters. Got it from the rental tools at O'Reilly's. It looks like a chain wrench but has disk cutters on each link. Throw the filter in a vice , slap that around the top an wiggle it back an forth a few times.

[@lgunderso2117]

Thank you. I was about to invest in an oil filter cutter, saw his video the other night, and I'd rather not spend $50 when I can bottom the tool for free.

[@FeloniousSavage]

The latest WatchJr Go video and it's on the 95 aero.... Today is a good day

[@MrGus.1]

I've owned my 2001 Saab 9-5 for 18 years. It's a nice riding car and actually pretty reliable for an old car. Fixing windows: simple/easy. the really tough fixes are the heat/AC mix doors (fault codes) and replacing the alternator. Other stuff...pretty much just GM stuff. Parts are mostly easy to get from Rock Auto.

[@faustp23]

I just learned that if you clean and silicon the window frame where the glass runs they run much quicker and save the window regulators and motor.

[@robertlevandowski4457]

The triple-chirps when popping the trunk can be reprogrammed with the Tech II. You can set the number of chirps for lock, unlock, and trunk. You can also go in and do an option delete on the security system, when the security module's internal battery inevitably fails and causes the alarm to go off randomly, usually while you're asleep. Then you'll get horn honks instead of alarm chirps.

[@rostislavbolgurov1781]

I did that on my 9⁵ like a month ago. But I'm curious if I can get my chirps back with the alarm disabled? I really like the chirps much more than the horn tbh

[@TheBarberShopScott]

More progress on the SAAB is always good to see.

[@nitinbhugun2181]

Hoovies could collaborate with you on fixing some cars with all the equipment and facilities you have now. Great content as usual.

[@derekgardin1512]

Hoovie? Lol he doesn't fix anything himself. I've never even seen him with a screwdriver. Not seen him do even a simple oil change or air filter replacement.

[@SteveBassen]

Hoovie needs to bring the Superbird over there so JR can fix or replace that FAST EFI setup and get it running right.

[@Julian-do7bv]

@@derekgardin1512 he actually does work on stuff even if it is very little but still

[@TwoDollarGararge]

@@derekgardin1512 there are some car guys that do that they just have enough money to pay a mechanic my dad has a friend like that he's got a FC rx7 manual Gallardo his daily is a Giulia Quadrifoglio has enough Ferrari F1 Merch you think he lives in Italiy and his wife's family car is a manual 235i M package but he has enough money that he can afford to pay $125 an hour labor unlike most petrol heads oh and his 14 year old daughters first car is a mechanically restored 1975 MGB

[@unclejoe6811]

@@derekgardin1512 at least hoovie isn't gay

[@thelightskinliberian885]

Johnross thank you for taking your time with the Saab 🙏🏽 I watched you replace so many parts already but I still remember when you first acquired this cant wait til its finished 💪🏽

[@BWTECH0521]

Enjoyed having you on the saab talk live!

[@Borg561]

BMW E36s had similar issues with the window regulators. Somebody in one of the forums did some research and determined the issue was the grease that they used in the slide rails from the factory. Over time it would start to harden, causing the slides (instead of roller balls) to bind, which would then cause the regulator arms to bend and pop out of the slides.

[@KeithZim]

Its been 20 years since I was building car audio systems but a couple things you can do to save those door panels. Let the car run outside for 20 minutes with the heat cranked to warm up the interior. User a hair dryer to to heat the door further so all the plastic is less brittle. Replace all the push pins every time. They are a one use connector.

[@P4SDetails]

This is great advice. I always ask my customers if their windows all work when they drop off for a detail. I have had one bad experience where I didn’t know the window was broken and spent some serious time trying to fix it before pick up. I will have to recommend this in the future

[@ronseasyfixjustdoit5098]

I really admire your work ethic.

[@msschill]

The Saab and the Aztec are longing for a sale!! I can't wait for the Vette engine rebuild/replace!

[@br549rdr]

Yeah waiting for vette engine myself!

[@VanisleNSX]

Been following JR for many years, and he absolutely loves his Honda Shin-etsu grease!

[@baitse7676]

I once fixed an empty fuel gauge for $5: it would make the gauge go from empty to 1/2 tank. Now the same fix doesn't even make it to 1/4 tank. Thoughts? As Randy would say, "the important window works!"

[@gregory891]

Nice overall video. Having done the same with other cars (bmw E53 more recently), you should proactively replace the four rollers especially as you have them. Retrofit the missing vapor barrier on the door(s) as you complete the work.

[@jasonholmes6137]

Good work on the Scandinavian fighter jet on 4 wheels 👏 you make the sweeds so proud after you drift it on an icy road " make with the Scandinavian flick" the will rush to your channel

[@mightysprocket]

Good chat on the oil filter cutter, thanks!

[@mikefladgate3714]

Cool stuff JR, really enjoy the minor/major fixes, that it takes to maintain and fix niggling problems, that the normal, everyday person, wants to give up on!! Especially on rockets, that get a bad rap, due to these minor fixes!!!!!! Thanks from Vancouver!!

[@MrMattDat]

Nice job and agree with you fully about working with old plastics. Even if you could find a NOS panel, it is still OLD! Panels are out there though. Ever think about picking up a "grab bag" of new door/interior clips for cars like the Saab?

[@joequixotic3039]

My oil filter cutter is a Longacre 52-77750 and it works fine. It even has a second set of holes for the rollers if you are cutting a tiny filter. They are $86 now but I paid $56 about 8 years ago.

[@Ingens_Scherz]

Saab was a great carmaker and brand. They didn't make it through the Great Recession, though, which is a damn shame and actually need never have happened. A great loss. I miss Saab a lot.

[@markkrispin6944]

Saabs used to be good cars, until GM bought them out. That was the end of the Saab.

[@kennorcott7074]

@@markkrispin6944 nah gm Saabs we’re still decent, they made the turbox after all

[@markkrispin6944]

@@kennorcott7074 fair enough

[@markkrispin6944]

Extremely hard, if not impossible to find parts from Saabs today.

[@hansbaar4448]

@@markkrispin6944 weird, ive not had any problems getting parts for either my gm era saabs or older saabs. There are specific parts that are harder but thats with any car. If anything, ive seen previously NLA parts brought back into production in the past few years.

[@joecutro7318]

Great content! I hope I never need to do this on my '07 9-3 ragtop. Crossing my fingers it will remain one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. 152K mi and going strong.

[@ItsProbablyFine]

For that cheap purple tint, try using a degreaser like Simple Green. it eats right through the adhesive and doesn't damage the glass in any way. I have encountered some tint material where it doesn't work, but most of the time it is faster and easier than steam.

[@16Tooth]

Just replaced both on the driver's side of a 2008 95 for a customer. Tested it at least 30 times and everything was fine. Customer called today and said he heard a bang when he put the window down and his window is cock-eyed again. If the roller broke again, then something else must be wrong.

[@SJSOmar]

I love that Saab 🤤😂 3 Saab 9-3s later I’ve found that usually something wrong with the car is either an ecu/ abs pump /cim / or coils and plugs

[@unstablebobgable]

If I could work on the Saab 9-5 with Watch JR Goes I would drink the shot of whiskey and the cold Bartle Skeets and roll up the fat Woolford and get all schmoked up.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Thanks for the tubing cutter analogy, JR!

[@rsw9480]

Thanks for the explanation on the Filter Cutter ,very understandable ,just a bad design .Good ones do exist but shouldn't really have much of a use for one ,at least I don't.

[@C.JG.]

Thanks for showing and explaining! 👍 A big vice is a must have in a shop 🔨

[@sleepyhollow783]

Trim piece after trim piece removed in videos without a casualty. JR has developed the skill & touch. 💎👌

[@ramonsanders2562]

It’s the same system as the volvos s60/v70/s80 and the xc90 from 98 til 2013………by the volvos they are after several years also broke……….very anoying. Good video again keep on the good work! Greetz from the Netherlands , ramon

[@Kneal911]

Literally had the same issue in my 1995 BMW 525i. same setup with the xshaped regulator. i had to bend the arm and put every thing back together. The main issue is the grease lubricant they used gets sticky over time and the rollers get jammed and do the same thing as the saab. Use pb blaster or wd 40 to clean out the old lube. apply some new lube and everything works great now even with old rollers

[@matthewdropco]

Thx for the filter "cutter" followup.!

[@roo2dee2]

Love your Saab content. Sadly, tan driver door pulls are insanely hard to find in good condition. Some have scraped the outer layer off and painted them.

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

Those "cable" window regulators break as well, had to do that job in my 1992 Lexus SC300. Part was like $200 from Lexus 8 years ago. Once again cheap plastic gears/rollers that broke on mine. Thing was taking apart/putting on the Lexus door panel was about 100 times easier than removing the door panel on my old 1999 Camaro. Big thing on the Lexus I didn't break or deform anything, unlike taking off that part on the Camaro. That Lexus made me defect from GM to Toyota for any sort of late model car I was going to daily drive, and it was 20 years old when fixed the window.

[@Rokkator]

That tint removal can be such an annoying job. I did it for my '03 civic si when I bought it a couple years ago, and I used a handheld clothes steamer and a razor blade, and got pretty much the same results you got. Took some cleaning to get the leftover sticky gunk of the windows though.

[@houseofno]

If you don't want to pay rape prices for oem passenger door vapor barriers, a shower curtain and adhesive works as a DIY alternative. Cut to suit your needs.

[@derekgardin1512]

I use the thick plastic they use to cover wall insulation in basements. I use some sort of urethane adhesive or silicone caulking like used in showers type thing.

[@16Tango]

The 9-5 was first sold in 1998 so the X regulators fit. I am on my 2nd and my in laws have one that I take care of and hate to think of when I have to give mine up.

[@wkrick]

You might be able to connect those broken trim pieces by putting fiberglass tape on the back and coating it with a thin layer of epoxy.

[@philipsweeney7935]

Just did the window job on my 9-5 Aero, never a week goes by without something going wrong 😂

[@yodasbff3395]

Back in the day my nephew had one of those Saab's, the windows were nothing but trouble. To bad I didn't know how easy they were to fix, I could have helped him. 👍

[@punkinsgarageandpaint8299]

I heard from tint guy you can put bag over the door and steam the old tint with ammonia. Tech tip of the day.

[@mrsfgogo09]

To get rid of all the adhesive that is left behind by the tent window cleaner and Mr. clean Magic erasers takes a little bit of time but will not mess up the defrost

[@daviddennett2645]

I saw the bent arms a lot as a Volvo Tech. It's from the user trying to keep using the window after those break and jams it all up

[@paradoxbrothers1635]

Love these Saab videos

[@Shmity1962]

I have a 99 9-5. I’ve become an expert installer for those. My interior trim pieces are cracked too.

[@aaronrothenburger4178]

Shared to the SAAB of Arizona.

[@l8ton803]

I've used a heat gun to remove window tint & it came off easy with very little glue left on the windows

[@ToolsOutsideTheBox]

I think the heat gun is supposed to be better for removing the tint. I never desired to cut open oil filters. But I think the best one I’ve seen is actually 3 wheels, only, coming in contact with the filter. And if you cared. You could remove the window regulators with motor. Then drill out the rivets to separate the motor from the regulator. The OEM grease in there turns to a solid over time, slowing down or stop the speed of function. So you clean it out, re-grease, and reassemble with new rivets or nut and bolt.

[@bbranett2188]

Clear shoe goop on that door handle, wrap with packing tape, let dry a couple days. Remove tape and sand to match finish. The broken door trim could you fill the hole with 2 part plastic then paint to match or bondo it?

[@axjohn]

Dude, it was Saab Scania, not “Scandia!” Had a 900SE Turbo for 298,000 miles-LOVED IT, but always wanted a 9-5 Aero or a Viggen. Still live your videos, though.

[@gmangarcia171]

Jrgo I always wanted a saab

[@cigarjefe]

Great job and video

[@williamjsmith9877]

Was hoping for the Corvette!

[@samipetkannen2226]

Where is the vapour/pressure barrier?. Its required for SRS to work property in the event of an accident.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

If that filter cutter doesn't work like a normal one just throw it out and buy a good one, JR!

[@willietapper1922]

In my ripe old age of 45 I have owned a variety of cars and trucks. I've had to do a few door panel removals and I can not recall a single brand that multiple things didn't disintegrate 😆 It never seems to matter if you have a clip puller or if you're gentle or not... Brittle is just brittle..

[@honestguy7764]

True! Thats why we should do that work in ther summer , after letting the car cook for a while. Is plastic is hot, its not as brittle

[@FeloniousSavage]

16 minutes and 24 seconds into the video and then I received an advertisement for O'Reilly's Auto parts.... They sure know their target audience lol. My boy John Ross practically has a second home at O'Reilly's

[@SuperAleIndustries]

Great job!!

[@axjohn]

Hey JR, what’s the Honda lube you used on the tracks? Full name/part number? THX

[@dgrandamgt0430]

You should check the fues for the fuel door it probably got shorted out sitting in ther like that.

[@michaelhawkins5530]

Does eSaab offer that drivers door handle? I also don't understand the end of video when you reached inside the trunk to release the fuel door. Did the wire fix in the door not solve the issue?

[@nadenolam8368]

What’s up JR, chilling on this Saturday night?

[@MrRepulsiv]

When replacing those rollers, note that the clips on them has one up and one down side, if you remove it and put it on the other way it will be bad, guess how I know :( ..I have replaced those rollers on all my four 9-5's om the drivers side, one time on the passenger side.. Btw, Sometimes the rubber guides for the window jumps out of position too, then its not fun to get them back. This system with the rollers is very common, I seen more or less exactly the same system on saab, volvo, audi, volkswagen and probably more.. Btw, BEST color combination, black body and the beige leather interior, I have the same on my 9-5 Aero '05, like it much better than the dark interior om my parchment silver 9-5 Aero '07., sadly the beige ones always have broken rubber on the handles, just like yours have, and mine..

[@robertstephenson7864]

If I owned that filter cutter tool, I would take it fishing and throw it as far as I could into the jungle, so no one will ever be cursed by it again.

[@crash5225]

Any updates on corvette?

[@P.Galore]

I have empathy for you on this one....european door regulators are next to impossible to access/remove!. I replaced several on the rear doors of w124 and w126 Mercedes and each took an entire day.

[@michaeljewett875]

Wow… poor car. If you think it’s quiet on the highway now. You’d be impressed if the car wasn’t missing a vital component behind that panel. There’s supposed to be an acoustic weather barrier covering the entire door behind the door panel. It’s basically a weathertight acoustic membrane is applied directly into the body of the door and is sealed around the perimeter of the membrane with an adhesive backing. It was always fun trying to peel those back and not rip the membrane or leave behind the adhesive portions when replacing the window regulator rollers. Ahhh fun times

[@greathornedowl3644]

Nice quicky cheapie repair. Thinking that would cost $500 at the garage/Bodyshop.

[@Digital-Dan]

Steam should go between the tint and the glass?

[@jrodigan5]

My first car was a 2003 Saab 9-5 and it is the whole reason I will never trust power windows. 😂 Those regulators will bend themselves to bits when the rollers fail. I love these cars, but I hate the windows. Haha.

[@Cartier_specialist]

Ahh, you've discovered the Saab's kryptonite.

[@richieduck67]

Nice fix

[@jasonholmes6137]

As far as the cutter was concerned i would have just tried a top loader can opener from wall mart and if it didnt work i would have returned it defective

[@rwdplz1]

Can confirm on GM door panels

[@elwoodwilliams5665]

If you don't have any plastic for a vapor barrier, you can use a trash bag for a temp fix. Better than nothing.

[@floridaguardian8264]

Love cheap Fixes

[@rsole65]

Use a snap exhaust cutter on oil filters

[@johncrichton4341]

That's been in a smash and had the door skin 'repaired' and then the internals botched up!

[@waylonp6924]

oil filter wrench or vise for filter cutter

[@mishabm316]

I did this some time ago and now, months later, my window won't move. Checked the motor, checked the cables, checked if the rollers are stuck or something. Everything is okay. Then I checked the button itself and if you press to roll it down, it has 12V, if you try to roll it up, there's nothing there. When it broke some magic smoke came out. Some advices there? Buying a new one is not an option (too expensive tbh)

[@el_micha]

You could harvest used switches from scrapyard or try to find used on eBay or craigslist… There is probably also other car models that used the same switches. Quite likely in Saab models, maybe even in other car makers (was this model here from GM-era yet? they might be used in other GM brands then as well)

[@tim1299]

Why did you not supply power to the gas tank door? check continuity?

[@WatchJRGo]

The switch is fixed, you can hear the relay 🍻

[@cheyopimienta]

Hey, what about that stream of N64 Goldeneye?

[@SilentServiceCode]

Yes I have found the tool you're talking about it's called a Dremel

[@michelswerissen6544]

Like this car.

[@ragnarocking]

15:13 - did anyone else notice that small flicker when he hit the gas cap button? Left end of door, above the red reflector, and to the right of that bottom bolt? What do you suppose that was?

[@05Forenza]

Odd. The fuel door is on the other side of the car, so it definitely wasn't a reflection of that.

[@bgee461]

Reflection on black paint

[@stevestudley4060]

I use a grinder to cut open an oil filter. No fuss no muss.

[@tpaulsmith7194]

What a saab story.

[@69Dartman]

Older cars hate us, something always broke or breaking just because they're old and been sun baked and messed with too much after all these years. And trying to find parts is getting ugly. I think once they hit 20 years old the parts become made of unobtainium.

[@MrWarneet]

Yeah that door is rough. That model has enough GM in it to make it easy to work on and reliable.

[@bigeizsupportgroup1427]

Bigeiz in the house

[@mbiker345]

You ought to find a new driver door card and some fasteners. Would make it so much nicer.