Saab 900 1983 - C. Steering and Brakes; Brakes; Checking the Brake Fluid; Steering

c. Steering and Brakes
BRAKES
The foot brake system is power-assisted, wi th
the resu lt that the force applied to the brake
pedal is amplified on braking. However, this ad-
ditional power is only available when the engi ne
is running. Much greater pressure on the brake
pedal
will be needed to brake the car when the
engine is switched oil, for example, when the
car is being towed.
There are two warn ing lights on the ins trument
panel, one for the hand brake and one for the
foot brake. The handbrake warning li ght wi ll
glow when the brake is set. The foot brake warn-
ing light will glow when the fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir has dropped below the MIN
mark. This may be an indication that there is a
leakage in the system. Since the brakes operate
on a dual-circuit system, each circuit o perating
on diagonally opposed wheels, only one circuit
will be allected at a given time, and the car can
be driven c arefully with a reduced braking ellect
to an authorized Saab dealer .
34
NOTE! II the brake pedal continues to
move down under constant pressure or
the car pulls to one side during braking
or an abnormally loud or metallic noise
Is heard during braking see an autho-
rized Saab dealer Immediately to have
the braking system Inspected.
Both the foot brake and the hand brake are self-
adjusting. It is therefore I mpossible to tell by
the
length of the pedal stroke whether the brake
lin ings are worn out and need to be replaced.
Consequently it is very Important to check the
thickness
of the brake lin i ngs regularly as spec ·
ifled in the maintenan ce schedule. Use only
original asbestos-free Saab replacement pad
sets .
NOTE! Brake pads should always be
changed by an authorized Saab work·
shop. A special tool Is required to turn
back the parking brake automatic ad-
juster before new front brake pads can
be installed. The front brakes are de·
signed for special seml·metallic brake
pads (asbestos-free).
Checking the Brake Fluid
The brake flu id reservOir ( co nta iner) is transpar '
ent to fac il itate checking of the fluid level. The
level should be between the MAX and MIN
marks. Use only recommended brake fluid.
Over a period of time in use, the brake fluid will
deteriorate, since it gradually absorbs water
and oxidizes. It is therefore important that the
fluid be changed as specified in the main-
tenance schedule. This work should be carried
out by an authorized Saab dealer.
STEERING
All models have rack and pi nion type steering
with power assist.
Check the fluid level In the servo reservoir regu·
larly, with the engine oil . The dipsti ck in the
reservoir
cap is graduated separately for cold
and warm fluid . If the car has reached its normal
running temperature , the fluid level should be
between the
marks for warm (A) and cold (B). If
the fluid level is checked when the car is cold,
the level shou ld be between the cold fluid (B)
mark and the
tip of the dipstick (C). Top up with
fluid labeled "GM Power Steering Fluid" only.
Do not use automatic transmission fluid.
B
~-C