SAAB 9-3 Convertible Top Lift Cylinder Rebuild & Made New Manual Roof Locking Bow With Tormach CNC Media

Repair the convertible top lift mechanism on a 2004 Saab 9-3. Removed and completely rebuilt one of the lift cylinders that was leaking. We also had to repair the manual locking mechanism that locks the front of the top onto the windshield since it was stripped. We used a Tormach 1100MX to make the new part after designing it in Fusion 360.

These Saab lift cylinders are not really designed to be rebuilt, the ends are crimped and we used a lathe to cut the crimped end off so we could take the cylinder apart. The pin that holds the cylinder in the car will keep the cylinder together so you don't need to crimp it back together when you are done.

Parts for these older Saab cars are hard to find. We could not buy the new locking bow and had to make one. The lift cylinders are also not available new. Since they are not designed to come apart, Saab does not sell the internal parts and seals but we found those at a local hydraulic shop, Hose-Fast in Garland, TX.

Saab Lift Cylinder PN - 12833509
Cylinder Base Oring 1.8x13.3mm
Piston Seal PN - MPS-16x2x1
Rod Seal PN - MKR-8x13x2
Tiny o-rings where the hose hooks on Cylinder - Saab PN 32019444 (5.3x3.3mm is what I measured)
Saab Convertible Roof Locking Bow PN - 122114100

Precision Matthews 1440TL lathe used to cut the end off the crimped cylinder.

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