SAAB 9-3 (99-02) front brake pads and rotor replacement

In this video I'll show you how to replace the front brake rotor and brake pads on your SAAB 9-3 (m.y. 1999 to 2002). Mine is a 2001 9-3 Aero but I’m pretty sure the procedure should be the same, or at least very similar, on other versions of the car except perhaps the Viggen due to it’s larger rotors, but I could be wrong(?).
I got the idea for making this video as I needed to replace the ones on my own car after it failed the yearly check-up due to worn out rotors and brake pads. After searching the web I found a few other tutorials and a handful of descent videos on KZbin describing the process. However, none were for this particular model, but for it’s successor; the 2003 to 2007 year version, and apparently it's NOT exactly the same. Luckily I found out before I went out to buy new tools, as I didn’t need them. Apart from the that, the actual work should be the same.
Please note; I’m very aware of the horrible condition of my otherwise wonderful car. It’s very dirty after having been parked outside throughout the winter months. A few more things need to be fixed on it as well, such as the headlight wipers and some rust here and there, so there’s no need to comment unless you feel you need to get it out of your system. ;)
I really tried to keep the video as short as possible to not waste anybody's time, but it proved to be a rather hard task in it’s own right. The goal was to have it under 10 minutes, but since that didn’t work out too well you can always skip ahead to the bits you’re interested in...
Thanks and good luck!
Background music by: Human Desolation (SWE)

[@csflmich2239]

What an excellent production. Your information and level of detail is perfect. Long live the SAABs still on the road!

[@OnYourLeft]

Great video. I just bought a used 9-3 for $800, and it doesn't need a lot of work. I'm putting new brakes all around, changing some hoses, and putting in new upholstery, and that's about it. Really nice car, especially for the price. I would like to mention that it is a good idea to put LocTite on the caliper bolts. A few months ago, my family and I had some trouble while traveling through Arizona due to a caliper bolt coming off. The caliper fell forward into the rim and jammed it while we were moving. Suddenly, the wheel locked up, causing a potentially dangerous situation. Fortunately, I was able to get to the side of the road and build a temporary solution, but it stranded us in Phoenix for a few days. It also ended up costing quite a bit of money, as I had to get a hotel room and a rental car while I searched for a part that was difficult to find. I ended up finding a van like mine in a wrecking yard and found the bolt I needed, but I had to buy the whole caliper for $40. I put LocTite on that bolt for sure.

[@OnYourLeft]

The spring holds the bottom of the outside pad in place so it doesn't toe in and wear unevenly. It also keeps it from vibrating and causing uneven wear on the rotor.

[@OnYourLeft]

Is there no bleeder port for the brakes?

[@bigfist255]

I turn the wheel out to make things easier when removing the caliper mounting bracket bolts 🔩

[@Oliver-ug6ks]

Anti-seize shouldnt be used for the guide pins (13:03) as petrolium products can degrade the rubber sleaves. Silicone grease is alot better! :)

[@brettwatson1824]

Very well explained. Even a dummy like me can follow those instructions. Cheers.

[@richardmmoulds]

Great video. Much appreciated. And your English is a damn sight better than my Swedish!

[@badgermoose1]

Great video and very helpful. Thanks for taking the time. (Your English is perfect by the way).

[@williamsanchez7379]

Thanks! Brake pads and rotors changed successfully thanks to this video.

[@uncaged52]

Very detailed and thorough. I was able to get my brakes done and after a minor mis-hap with the caliper, everything works so good! Thank you!

[@jeroenkerstens4139]

spot on video. ! only comment I can have. is that most cars have one or 2 screw points to get to brake discs off. save a lot of time. and not all brake disks need a proper clean. depending on if they came blank steel like in your video or coated. coated disks need no preparation before mounting.

[@kendramccoy3808]

I really liked the video. I actually own a 1999 saab 9-3 convertible that needs a brake change so this helps

[@assiedadtoo]

I love the 99 93

[@Proftheskidkid]

Thanks for the video, btw your English is perfect, was a bit surprised when you said you're rusty hahah

[@TENSORmusic]

Thanks a lot! It really helped me! In my case the only thing which went wrong was unscrewing that small 5mm allen screw. It's quite easy to damage its drive, as I did. Be careful doing that, otherwise you'll have to unscrew it by making a cut with an angle grinder and then using large screwdriver and a hammer.

[@TimurHamilton]

Thanks for this video. It was exactly what I was looking for. Now ... back to change a breake pads. Once again ... tack så mycket från Waxholm

[@natefennern8200]

The background music is A+ 😆

[@K60P]

Very nice, informative and relaxed video. Thank you :-)

[@papat1241]

Thanks m8! That video was, like said, spot on. Much needed. :)

[@kizmestar]

I would have preferred to hear a Swedish car repaired in Swedish. I worship my Saab 9-3. Been off the road for 5 months for a full refurb. Painted the whole car from rattle cans. Ready to drive in around 2 weeks, can't wait. Great video.

[@OnYourLeft]

I just bought a used 9-3. It's a solid car. I only wish I had found a manual transmission instead of an automatic.

[@MGalaxy]

@@OnYourLeft I wish I would have automatic. Manual transmission is so annoying and clutch is heavy in this car.

[@OnYourLeft]

M-Galaxy - Interesting. This may end up being my oldest daughter’s first car, and she wants to learn to drive with a manual. I’m planning on getting this going strong and then selling it. Being a four seater also makes it quite impractical for me at the moment, which is a bummer. It looks really good.

[@MGalaxy]

@@OnYourLeft Yea, I agree, car is nice. I really like that swedish design. I just prefer automatic way more. My next car will be 9-3 II.

[@DANNY86PR]

Awesome video! This is the closest video I could find to my Car a Saturn L200 2003 I reckon they use a similar system if not the same

[@edwardtupper6374]

My rear brake drum wouldn't come off. I bolted the wheel back on and that gave me a lot more leverage, the drum came off straight away.

[@bbrut3332]

Well done, thanks Wheel nut are about 81 ft lbs, caliber guide pins are about 27 ft lbs

[@mwolfe1486]

Is it possible you could make a video like this for the rear rotors and shoes? This was so informative and helpful. Not only did it walk me through the process, but it provided me the tool sizes I needed. I was missing the allen keys and the trip to the store was easy with the exact size required.

[@baddabing4609]

Your english is a bit rusty? And then proceeds to speak better english than most americans ^^ But great video by the way :)

[@shanekonarson]

Your English is perfect ! Lol good vid mate

[@marivicbernon3228]

Freyr SeaWolf 5 4

[@Mister0707]

Great video! Are there any big differences between the front and the back?

[@karlknudson9249]

your english is perfect completely understandable

[@EdNine75]

Where did you get your pads and discs from? I was thinking of getting mine from Biltema...

[@599jared]

great video! thanks for the help. I'm also selfishly happy its in English :)

[@photonthief9897]

I just did this But I levered between inner pad(one with piston on it)and disc with long screw driver to push piston back.Also didn't remove first two caliper pins just the two bolts holding caliper.Whole thing came off easily. placed new pads in caliper and slid whole thing back onto new disc,reinstalled two bolts and done.Is there a reason to remove first two pins I'm missing here?

[@fliteskinaeroscale5222]

Thankss man, it saved me hundreds od US$

[@craigdyos1477]

Check the slide pins can move freely. if Not check for corrosion where the rubber sleeve fits to the caliper. Cause's the a pad to wear out really fast. Remove the rubber tube clean out the corrosion. saves money.

[@MrSimre333]

where. did u put the jack stand?

[@jgutierrez2014]

Well done, thank you

[@stormsaylor6475]

What size rotor did you use?

[@SkylerBorg-bw4lx]

Your video is great, thanks! I was able to work on my 2001 SAAB 9-3 with no issue!!! Any guidance on replacing an alternator on the same car?

[@scarman1428]

Great job...thank you

[@marcovdabeast]

Do one for the rear fixed caliper!

[@karlknudson9249]

good job well done id buy your allen wrenches somplace else though the spring clip hods up the brake pad into the caliper thank you english was not a problem understanding have you ever been to the koensieg factory the ghost town symbol ? its an old airforce base

[@keithnewton8981]

Copper slick is perfect to use on the disc and back of pads

[@vehicletechnology3704]

"Bear in mind, my English is a little bit rusty, but as long as you can understand what I'm saying, we should be good." Seriously? You know what you did. There are English teachers in the US and UK who speak worse English.

[@martinbook85]

I was about to comment something similar, being an English teacher myself, but in Sweden. I had a hard time at the very beginning to tell that he wasn't a native speaker. I think I have a worse accent. His was barely noticeable.

[@Unavitadimonologhi-vp9vp]

Hi any torque wrench setting ?

[@rjallenbach1]

My hub and front rotors are completely different. I have a 1999 9-3 SE north american

[@simonvs5401]

I was trying to change the rear brake pads today on my 02 saab 9-3 and I broke the upper bolt that goes into the caliper mount(as you call it )because i overtightened it! This bolt is thin ! Like 6 mm in diameter or sth. Do you have any idea how to take the broken bolt out ??

[@SaabAholic]

You don’t need to remove anything on the rear brakes. Just tap out the two pins and the spring that holds them right.

[@karn8048]

thank you somuch

[@grapewater123]

This is brilliant I done mine today because of this video. Is the rear much different? Because I want to do that next.

[@martinbook85]

I guess the only thing that is different is that there is a hand brake to consider. If it's too tight it might be difficult to get the disc off. Make sure the hand brake is not pulled and if you need to loosen it there is a little screw/wheel that you can see through one of the holes in the disc.

[@MrDXRamirez]

I have to do this to my Saab 9-3, 2002 Sedan, I need a good source in the US for rotors and calipers...any suggestions?

[@pascalhogstrom2203]

Eeuroparts?

[@keithnewton8981]

Please be aware some brake discs come with a special protective coating that should not be cleaned off but left in place please read the instruction that come with the discs

[@OnYourLeft]

I second this. The brake rotors I bought for my Nissan Quest had a coating with specific instructions not to remove it. The coating in this case helped with the break-in process.

[@fabianafjochnickjochnick6029]

hej håller på med detta nu jag har en saab 93 2007ser det lika dant ur där skiva ska sitta kan man få kontakt med dig bra engelska

[@robthepen5356]

en zo is het en niet anders

[@norrlandjr]

Copper paste and aluminum causes galvanic corrosion. Avoid by using aluminum paste instead. Otherwise great video!

[@plasticbmw]

dont use copper on the pins..use silicon paste next time

[@pascalhogstrom2203]

Slägga förfaen 🥰

[@vladimirpolaks5794]

9.10 coole

[@henlow1]

Do not remove the caliper hangers. The discs (rotors) come out easily, just angle the old disc and lift by a few millimetres and they come off

[@rezaq1]

No. I would take them off to give them a really good clean with a wire brush where the brake pad runs. You can really clean them on the floor, not so easy when they’re fitted. Each to their own I guess

[@pascalhogstrom2203]

98-03 för va exakt 🤪

[@FrostMonarch13]

I love the metal playing in the backround. Everyone else play happy go lucky, "Yeah, let's learn today music." Instasubscribe

[@assiedadtoo]

Thank you brother 👍

[@assiedadtoo]

Thank you brother

[@pascalhogstrom2203]

Screw- not bolt. 🥸 bolt is sometjing you hammer in 😄

[@rezaq1]

No mate, you’re talking about a nail

[@pascalhogstrom2203]

@@rezaq1 omg