I'm a cabriolet hood fitter and have fitted hundreds of hoods. A Saab V2 YS3F is not the easiest top to fit and you were a brave man to take it on. You did a great job and your video was very detailed and the commentary excellent! You can re-attach the rear screen connections with chemical metal. It usually does the job! Thanks for posting.
Maaate! Thankyou! Even though I can’t see myself doing this any time soon. Just to see the guts of the roof and it’s assembly is a massive help with some of the issues I’m having. Thanks again!
Nice job!! My 2005 9-3 needs this and after watching your video there is no way in hell I will be doing this. I plan on just having it done. Thanks for the great video!!!!
Great job with everything. No, you don't talk too much, everything you say has purpose and is useful. This is my second time going through the whole video as the time is drawing near for me to do this job. I'm you 183rd subscriber ;-)
i have a question, since my hood is a worn (but not damaged) & I was considering showing it some tlc, could you assist? @11:15 & later at 14:35 - you removed the front rim of the hood from the frame, do you think it would be possible to remove without destroying the layer sandwiched in between or can it be replaced once removed? if so how could i go about it and which adhesive product did you use on the reinstall? i was thinking if i could get it past that stage, I could replace the elastic shown at 17:35 to add some tension back into my roof and maybe do some other touch ups that one step and the bit at 11:30 seem to be the only 'dangerous point-of-no-return' parts of what I'm hoping to do on that note, an alternative method would be to leave to outer hood on and remove the liner and sound deadening from underneath... which i've heard is possible but haven't seen much information on. Knowing the inner workings of the mechanism and how everything is assembled, do you think that would be easier (if it's at all possible) Great vid, as far as i know yours is the most comprehensive guide to the job
I can't give any guarantees, but it might be possible. Of note, the top I took off had a cardboard-like layer there, while the replacement top had a plastic strip. Unfortunately, I don't really remember how deteriorated the cardboard strip was when I removed it. Been a few years now since I did this. Contact cement is what I used to attach the new one. As for removing the headliner without removing the rest of the top, that is absolutely possible! Though it is a bit of a hassle. I don't really know how to walk through the process by itself, but the pieces are all there in the video. All that being said, the elastic shown at 17:35 that you want to replace doesn't really provide much tension for holding the roof in place. That's almost entirely done by the ribs and by the tension cable. If your roof is sagging or not staying where it should be, the tension cable is the first thing I would look at.
Amazing job you did - I have great respect. Big thanks for this amazingly detailed presentation. What I also like to mention is that I find it amazing that Saab as a high quality car does not even uses stainless steel nuts and bolts as these look horrible which seems to be normal. I would touch up the bolt heads and nuts where possible with corrosion protective paint where possible or even better replace them with new stainless steel type.
I need to remove only the 'headliner' because it smells moldy. The top is otherwise good. I tried to treat the 'headliner' with cleaner etc but it is too hard with trying to get solution on it with gravity not helping. Not that you did this, but in your experience, do you think there is a way to free the headliner without taking the entire top off ? Thanks
Yeah, my understanding is that you won't need to take the whole top off, but you will have to deal with the rear window, which is a bit of a pain. I don't *think* it'll be as much of an issue with just the headliner, but having not done it that way myself, I can't say for sure. At around 1:13:19 you can see how I reattached the headliner to the rear window, inserting those plastic tabs between the window and the plastic frame held in place by the clips. You'll probably want to do a similar process in reverse to get the headliner out without removing the whole top.
Hi Chuck! Quick question, I need to replace the headliner that sagging everywhere. Do I need to remove the canvas top to replace the headliner? Or can I just remove the headline alone? Mine is a 2002 9-3, thanks! Kevin
Oh, just realized you said 2002 though. I think that should still be doable as well, but that one is the previous generation, and it will be different than mine, so I can't say for sure.
Great effort I've been looking for a rear window vodkas mine just shattered whilst parked up I believe it's happened to other saab owners so I've been able to take bits from this video.ivr watched it over and over to see how not changing the hood will be different to just the rear screen I think them clips will be difficult. But great work
Hi Chuck. Thanks for this video. I have started to change mine and got stuck at one point and would really appreciate to get in contact with you for some advice. Please let me know if this is possible. I also got the top from convertible top guys. Looking forward to hear from you! Pablo
Great video 👍 Is it possible to get to the heated rear screen tabs without removing the canvas soft top? Mine isn't working and suspect the tabs have snapped off like yours were.
I can't say for sure, but I suspect you could remove just a portion of the headliner from around the window where that tab is, and then you could probably access it.
@@ChucksRides Thank you, any idea how the head lining comes away from the roof where the rear side windows are. Tried pulling out the corner (gently) but not sure if there is a hidden plastic lug or something holding it in. Was hoping it was just Velcro 🤷
@@x4dd It's a long rubber wedge that runs along the side of the headliner next to the window. It's held in place with pressure and can be carefully pulled out straight forward (toward the side window it borders). Start at the bottom and work your way forward. At around 1:11:40 of this video, you can see me describing how to put that section into place. Just do the reverse of what I show there.
Hi Chuck. As I understood headliner could be removed easily just for washing, right? Mine looks like soaked by leaking hydraulic cylinder. And after Your video for sure I'll replace soft top, thanks for video. Which material did You choose?
Yes, I'd imagine you could remove the headliner by itself, though it's going to be a little trickier than with the outer canvas off. I went with the German A5 canvas original to the car.
Hi, really useful video.Thanks. How do you get the top to stay half way up. Doesn't the hydraulic system depressurise after 20 secs? I would be nervous of leaving it in the hydraulics anyway fot fear of bursting something
For me it just kind of depended on exactly where the roof was. At some positions, it would come back down, but at others, it kinda stayed in place. Can't say I did anything special for that.
There's a link in the description for where I got the top from, and it includes pricing details there. I'm afraid I didn't track my time. I worked on it for a few hours here and a few hours there as I had time over a number of weeks. Couldn't really tell you what it all added up to.
@@ChucksRides Chuck, did you get the original German top or the Haartz Stayfast Canvas system? And seeing the blue pry tool, I assume that you ordered either B or D package?
I bought a 2005 ARC with a new one, somebody tried to get in via the top, and I can't figure out how to put it back together, where can I find the instructions so I can see how the side is kept down?
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by keeping the side down. And unfortunately, I'm not aware of any other instructions available online. That's why I put together this video.
Ma non possono fare le capote che si aprono e chiudono manualmente,come una volta?Nelle auto grosse come Saab e Mercedes,Bmw,ecc si farà un po' più di sforzo,ma meglio che avere a che fare coi motori, ammortizzatori ed altre "delizie" montate per queste capote elettriche...
I'm a cabriolet hood fitter and have fitted hundreds of hoods. A Saab V2 YS3F is not the easiest top to fit and you were a brave man to take it on. You did a great job and your video was very detailed and the commentary excellent! You can re-attach the rear screen connections with chemical metal. It usually does the job! Thanks for posting.
Thanks, Dan! I appreciate that. :)
Maaate! Thankyou! Even though I can’t see myself doing this any time soon. Just to see the guts of the roof and it’s assembly is a massive help with some of the issues I’m having. Thanks again!
You're very welcome. So glad it was helpful for ya!
Nice job!! My 2005 9-3 needs this and after watching your video there is no way in hell I will be doing this. I plan on just having it done. Thanks for the great video!!!!
Glad to help you make the decision one way or another. :)
Brilliant video. Your brave and have lots of patience! I would be cursing 🤬 trying to fix the roof! Well done.
Thanks! And trust me, off camera, there was plenty of cursing, haha!
Great job with everything. No, you don't talk too much, everything you say has purpose and is useful. This is my second time going through the whole video as the time is drawing near for me to do this job. I'm you 183rd subscriber ;-)
Appreciate it! Always gratifying to hear this video has been helpful to folks. :)
i have a question, since my hood is a worn (but not damaged) & I was considering showing it some tlc, could you assist?
@11:15 & later at 14:35 - you removed the front rim of the hood from the frame, do you think it would be possible to remove without destroying the layer sandwiched in between or can it be replaced once removed? if so how could i go about it and which adhesive product did you use on the reinstall?
i was thinking if i could get it past that stage, I could replace the elastic shown at 17:35 to add some tension back into my roof and maybe do some other touch ups
that one step and the bit at 11:30 seem to be the only 'dangerous point-of-no-return' parts of what I'm hoping to do
on that note, an alternative method would be to leave to outer hood on and remove the liner and sound deadening from underneath... which i've heard is possible but haven't seen much information on. Knowing the inner workings of the mechanism and how everything is assembled, do you think that would be easier (if it's at all possible)
Great vid, as far as i know yours is the most comprehensive guide to the job
I can't give any guarantees, but it might be possible. Of note, the top I took off had a cardboard-like layer there, while the replacement top had a plastic strip. Unfortunately, I don't really remember how deteriorated the cardboard strip was when I removed it. Been a few years now since I did this. Contact cement is what I used to attach the new one.
As for removing the headliner without removing the rest of the top, that is absolutely possible! Though it is a bit of a hassle. I don't really know how to walk through the process by itself, but the pieces are all there in the video.
All that being said, the elastic shown at 17:35 that you want to replace doesn't really provide much tension for holding the roof in place. That's almost entirely done by the ribs and by the tension cable. If your roof is sagging or not staying where it should be, the tension cable is the first thing I would look at.
Chuck, I appreciate this video. Congrats on the DIY
Amazing job you did - I have great respect. Big thanks for this amazingly detailed presentation. What I also like to mention is that I find it amazing that Saab as a high quality car does not even uses stainless steel nuts and bolts as these look horrible which seems to be normal. I would touch up the bolt heads and nuts where possible with corrosion protective paint where possible or even better replace them with new stainless steel type.
Nice one, Chuck. This is a job I'd be a afraid of :)
I need to remove only the 'headliner' because it smells moldy. The top is otherwise good. I tried to treat the 'headliner' with cleaner etc but it is too hard with trying to get solution on it with gravity not helping. Not that you did this, but in your experience, do you think there is a way to free the headliner without taking the entire top off ? Thanks
Yeah, my understanding is that you won't need to take the whole top off, but you will have to deal with the rear window, which is a bit of a pain. I don't *think* it'll be as much of an issue with just the headliner, but having not done it that way myself, I can't say for sure. At around 1:13:19 you can see how I reattached the headliner to the rear window, inserting those plastic tabs between the window and the plastic frame held in place by the clips. You'll probably want to do a similar process in reverse to get the headliner out without removing the whole top.
Hi Chuck! Quick question, I need to replace the headliner that sagging everywhere. Do I need to remove the canvas top to replace the headliner? Or can I just remove the headline alone? Mine is a 2002 9-3, thanks! Kevin
The headliner can be replaced on its own. The trickiest part is going to be where it's shoved in around the rear window, but it's absolutely doable.
Oh, just realized you said 2002 though. I think that should still be doable as well, but that one is the previous generation, and it will be different than mine, so I can't say for sure.
Great effort I've been looking for a rear window vodkas mine just shattered whilst parked up I believe it's happened to other saab owners so I've been able to take bits from this video.ivr watched it over and over to see how not changing the hood will be different to just the rear screen I think them clips will be difficult. But great work
Hello, do you need to set the windows after you change the top ?
If yes how you do it ?
I did not have to do anything to the side windows.
Nice! Beautiful car!
Hi Chuck. Thanks for this video. I have started to change mine and got stuck at one point and would really appreciate to get in contact with you for some advice. Please let me know if this is possible. I also got the top from convertible top guys. Looking forward to hear from you!
Pablo
Good job ,you haveca lot of patience.
Good job 👍
Personally I would have made slight cuts into that front edge to get it lay evenly
Enjoy your video good job 👍 👍👍👍
Great video 👍
Is it possible to get to the heated rear screen tabs without removing the canvas soft top? Mine isn't working and suspect the tabs have snapped off like yours were.
I can't say for sure, but I suspect you could remove just a portion of the headliner from around the window where that tab is, and then you could probably access it.
@@ChucksRides Thank you, any idea how the head lining comes away from the roof where the rear side windows are. Tried pulling out the corner (gently) but not sure if there is a hidden plastic lug or something holding it in. Was hoping it was just Velcro 🤷
@@x4dd It's a long rubber wedge that runs along the side of the headliner next to the window. It's held in place with pressure and can be carefully pulled out straight forward (toward the side window it borders). Start at the bottom and work your way forward.
At around 1:11:40 of this video, you can see me describing how to put that section into place. Just do the reverse of what I show there.
@@ChucksRides Nice one Chuck 👍
I'll check this out as soon as I get chance. Thank you for your time, appreciate it.
@@x4dd No problem! Hope it helps.
Hi Chuck. As I understood headliner could be removed easily just for washing, right? Mine looks like soaked by leaking hydraulic cylinder. And after Your video for sure I'll replace soft top, thanks for video. Which material did You choose?
Yes, I'd imagine you could remove the headliner by itself, though it's going to be a little trickier than with the outer canvas off.
I went with the German A5 canvas original to the car.
Just realized I accidentally replied from my other UA-cam account the other day, but that comment was me. German A5 canvas.
Hi, really useful video.Thanks. How do you get the top to stay half way up. Doesn't the hydraulic system depressurise after 20 secs? I would be nervous of leaving it in the hydraulics anyway fot fear of bursting something
For me it just kind of depended on exactly where the roof was. At some positions, it would come back down, but at others, it kinda stayed in place. Can't say I did anything special for that.
Thank you Chuck, great video👍. Where did you order the hood from , how much did it cost and how long did the whole operation take you ? Thks Phil
There's a link in the description for where I got the top from, and it includes pricing details there. I'm afraid I didn't track my time. I worked on it for a few hours here and a few hours there as I had time over a number of weeks. Couldn't really tell you what it all added up to.
@@ChucksRides Thks Chuck, much appreciated. Hopefully now i will be able to restore my beautiful anniversary model to its former glory😊👍
@@philc6331 Best of luck!
@@ChucksRides Chuck, did you get the original German top or the Haartz Stayfast Canvas system? And seeing the blue pry tool, I assume that you ordered either B or D package?
@@SeoulHomeLIving I got the original German A5 canvas. And yes, it was the "D" Restoration Package Special.
Great job
I bought a 2005 ARC with a new one, somebody tried to get in via the top, and I can't figure out how to put it back together, where can I find the instructions so I can see how the side is kept down?
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by keeping the side down. And unfortunately, I'm not aware of any other instructions available online. That's why I put together this video.
@@ChucksRides where the window meets the top they pulled it up so its loose...ill watch youre video a lot closer..
@@ChucksRides i have to figure out what piece holds that section down..
@@Evocati-Augusti There's a tension cable that runs along inside the outer edges of the canvas and holds the sides down when the top is closed.
Great 👍 video
Thanks!
Ma non possono fare le capote che si aprono e chiudono manualmente,come una volta?Nelle auto grosse come Saab e Mercedes,Bmw,ecc si farà un po' più di sforzo,ma meglio che avere a che fare coi motori, ammortizzatori ed altre "delizie" montate per queste capote elettriche...
Dude... you talk... Too Much!!!! Sheesh!!! Less rambling and more Work, Sir
That's your opinion..............I think his verbal input is 100% OK.