Page 491
a eee
sTEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
General
The car is made for both righthand and lefthand steerin
The steering mechanism is the same for all models g.
as from model 1969 steering wheel shaft of the safety t
has been introduced. This shaft is in two parts, which ni
shut up into each other when exposed to heavy pressure
NOTE! If the safety steering wheel shaft has been de- i
formed, a new one must be fitted.
WARNING
The collapsible steering wheel shaft introd
from model 1969 must be handled with care. It
must not be subjected to impacts, jolts oF other
rough treatment liable to alter the adjusted length
of the telescope joint or impair its shock-absorbing
effect.
When installing the s
care to ensure that the splined lower end is
into the intermediate shaft until the clamping screw
comes opposite the groove in the shaft. The inter-
mediate shaft should normally slide freely on the
shaft. If the splines stick, do not on any account
knock on the top end of the steering whee! shaft.
This also applies to removing and fitting the steer
wheel. The wheel must not be knocked off or on.
uced as
teering wheel shaft, take special
pushed
ing
STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN STAND
A, LHD Car
D. Steering wheel with sa
E. Steering wheel shaft as fro
1. Horn button assy
2. Steering wheel
3. Washer and return yoke
4. Bushings
5. Cover
6. Lock cylinder
7. Twist stop
8. Gear lever lock
SAAB
Febr 1977
fety pad as from model 1968
m model 1969
9. Rubber grommet
10. Steering wheel shaft with universal joint
11. Bushings
12. Cardboard sleeve
13. Plastic cone
14. Cover
15. Twist stop
16. Gear lever lock
641—1
=S=2======
See esee od
Page 492
STEERING WHEEL AND HORN B ‘
UTTON ASSEMB
MODEL 1967 = 7
REMOVAL OF HORN BUTTON, MODEL 1967
Disconnect the horn wire from the contact plate.
Back off the nut and remove the retaining washer.
. Remove the horn ring.
Lift away the steering wheel.
The return yoke for the directional signal switch can
now be removed,
NAASLYW
Reassembly
-_
. Refit the return yoke if this item has been removed.
2. Check the clearance between the return yoke and the
projection on the directional indicator switch. The
correct clearance is 0.008—0.024 in. (0.2—0.6 mm)
with the switch at neutral. Adjust by inserting shims
between the switch and the column stand.
el ee ae al
NOTE
Fit the return yoke so that its center axis coincides
with the center axis of the switch housing, when the
wheels are straight ahead.
=e
2 eee ee
3. Fit the steering wheel on the column. Make sure that
the front wheels are aligned straight ahead and push
the steering wheel on the column center pin so that
Se vewwasasss
STEERING WHEEL AND HORN ASSEMBLY, MODEL 1967 the spokes of the wheel are aligned horizontally.
1, Horn button 5. Steering wheel 4. Refit the horn ring and retaining washer. Tighten the
2. Nut 6. Return yoke nut,
3. Retaining washer 7. Horn wire 5. Reconnect the horn wire to the contact plate.
4. Horn ring 8. Steering column 6. Fit the center button so that the three clips on the
horn ring pass into the notches in the bottom of the
button,
7. Connect up the horn wire.
Removal
1. Disconnect the horn wire at the connecter under the
instrument panel.
2. Remove the central button by prying gently with a
knife or other suitable implement under the edge of
the button.
ef
7 641-2 Febr 1977
Page 493
gTEERING WHEEL WITH SAFETY PAD, MODEL
%
NY’
STEERING WHEEL WITH SAFETY PAD, MODEL 1968—1969
1, Safety pad 5. Cover
2. Nut 6. Return yoke
3. Retaining washer 7. Steering column
4. Steering wheel
Febr 1977
Removal
1. Remove the safety pad by turning it counter-clock:
wise,
. Unscrew the nut and remove the spring washer.
. Lift away the steering wheel.
4. The return yoke for the directional signal switch can
now be removed.
WN
WARNING
The collapsible steering wheel shaft introd
from model 1969 must be handled with care. It
must not be subjected to impacts, jolts or other
rough treatment liable to alter the adjusted length
of the telescope joint or impair its shock-absorbing
effect. The wheel must not be knocked off or on.
uced as
Reassembly
1. If removed, refit the return yoke.
2. Check the clearance between the return yoke and the
projection on the directional indicator switch. The
correct clearance is 0.008—0.024 in. (0.2—0.6 mm)
with the switch at neutral. Adjust by inserting shims
between the switch and the column stand.
NOTE
Fit the return yoke so that its center line coincides |
with the center axis of the switch housing, when the
wheels are straight ahead.
3. Fit the steering wheel on the column. Make sure that
the front wheels are aligned straight ahead, and push
the steering wheel on the column center pin so that
the spokes of the wheel are aligned horizontally.
4. Refit the spring washer and the nut.
NOTE
To protect the safety pad when fitting, smear with
a suitable lubricant its underside, which comes into
contact with the cover.
5. Fit the safety pad by screwing it downwards until re-
sistance is felt, then tighten the safety pad approx. a
further revolution, until the cuts, made at the bottom
side of the pad, grip and lock tight against the spokes
of the steering wheel.
641-3
Page 494
NE —————— eee
genase ew ee
STEERING WHEEL WITH
SAFET
1970-1975 Y PAD, MODEL
SIGNALING DEVICE, MODEL 1970-1975
1. Safety pad
2. Horn contact
3. Sliding contact
4, Retaining screw
Removal
1. Remove the steering wheel pad and the horn contact
from the steering wheel by removing the four cross
recess screws in the underside of the steering wheel
spokes.
2. Unscrew the nut and remove the spring washer.
3. Lift away the steering wheel.
4. The return yoke for the directional signal switch can
now be removed.
641-4
Reassembly
WARNING
The collapsible steering wheel shaft must be handled
with care. It must not be subjected to impacts, jolts
or other rough treatment liable to alter the adjusted
length of the telescope joint or impair its shockab-
sorbing effect, The wheel must not be knocked off
or on,
1, If removed, refit the return yoke.
2. Check the clearance between the return yoke and the
projection on the directional indicator switch. The
correct clearance is 0.008—0.024 in. (0.2—0.6 mm)
with the switch at neutral. Adjust by inserting shims
between the switch and the column stand,
NOTE
Fit the return yoke so that its center line coincides
with the center axis of the switch housing, when
the wheels are straight ahead.
3. Fit the steering wheel on the column. Make sure that
the front wheels are aligned straight ahead, and push
the steering wheel on the column center pin so that
the spokes of the wheel are aligned horizontally.
4. Refit the spring washer and the nut.
Fit the steering wheel pad and the horn contact to the
steering wheel.
a
Febr 1977
Page 495
STEERING WHEELS WITH SAFETY pap
ASF
MODEL 1976 ROM
Removal
1. Remove the safety padding and horn contact finger
by lifting the unit up and away from the steering wheel
The unit is secured to the steering wheel by means of
three spring-type fasteners,
REMOVING THE STEERING WHEEL NUT
4. Lift off the steering wheel.
5. The direction indicator switch actuator can now be
removed,
Assembly
THE SAFETY PADDING IS REMOVED
WARNING i
The collapsible steering wheel shaft must be handled
with care. It must not be subjected to impacts, jolts
or other rough treatment liable to alter the adjusted
length of the telescope joint or impair its shockab-
sorbing effect.
The wheel must not be knocked off or on.
2. Disconnect the electric connection from the horn con-
tact.
1. Mount the actuator if it was removed.
2. Check the clearance between the actuator and the
“tooth” of the switch which should be 0.008—0.024 yy
in. (0.2—0.6 mm) when the switch is in the neutral wa
position. The play can be adjusted by placing washers NK
between the actuator and the bearing bracket. ts
ween
NOTE
Fit the return yoke so that its center line coincides
with the center axis of the switch housing, when
the wheels are straight ahead.
eee
THE ELECTRIC CONNECTION IS REMOVED FROM THE 3. Mount the steering wheel on the steering column, The
HORN CONTACT front wheels should be aligned straight-ahead and the
steering wheel mounted with the spokes horizontal
and the central fastener upwards.
4. Mount the spring washer and nut.
5. Connect the electric cable to the horn contact and
mount the horn contact finger and safety pad to the
steering wheel.
3. Remove the steering wheel nut and spring washer.
SAAS 641-5
Febr 1977
Page 496
STEERING COLUMN STAND WITH STEERING WHEEL
SHAFT AND GEAR-SHIFT MECHANISM
Disassembly
Disassembly of the steering column also involves removal
of the gear-shift mechanism, since these two units are
mounted on the same stand,
1. Remove the steering wheel and horn-button assembly
as described above,
2. Back off and remove the clamping screw at the column
connection to the steering-gear Pinion,
3. Back off and remove the nut from the upper end of
the gear-shift shaft universal joint and drive out the
taper pin.
If the taper pin is threaded at both ends, proceed as
follows: Remove the nut and place it on the other
end of the taper pin. Tighten the nut, thus loosening
the pin. Collect the return spring if there is one above
the joint.
4. Undo the two screws for the steering-column stand
after having driven out the locking pins. The stand
and steering column, together with the gear-shift
shaft and lever, are now loose, and can be removed
from the car.
REMOVING LOCKING PINS ON STEERING-COLUMN STAND
5. Draw the column out of its bearing.
641-6
WARNING
The collapsible steering wheel shaft introduced as
from model 1969 must be handled with care, It
must not be subjected to impacts, jolts or other
rough treatment liable to alter the adjusted length
of the telescope joint or impair its shockabsorbing
effect.
When installing the steering wheel shaft, take spe-
cial care to ensure that the splined lower end is
pushed into the intermediate shaft until the clam-
ping screw comes opposite the groove in the shaft,
The intermediate shaft should normally slide freely
on the shaft. If the splines stick, do not on any oc-
count knock on the top end of the steering wheel
shaft.
This also applies to removing and fitting the steering
wheel. The wheel must not be knocked off or on.
6. Remove the two rubber bushings together with the
steering-column bushings.
7. Remove the cardboard sleeve between the bushings
and if necessary the electric cables.
Reassembly
1, Refit the rubber bushings together with the steering-
column bushings. Between the bushings fit the protec-
tive sleeve and the cables to the direction indicator
switch.
NOTE
The upper rubber bushing is thinner than the lower
one. Moreover, both bushings are tapered and must
therefore be fitted so that the arrow on the locating
lug points towards the steering wheel.
S$ 823
BUSHINGS, STEERING-COLUMN STAND
GAAS Febr 1977
Page 497
9, Pass the steering column into its beari
3, Refit the assembly in the car, Adjust
4, Refit the return spring and connect the
5. Reconnect the steering-column joint to the
§. Refit the steering wheel and horn-button as
ng. On R.H.D.
leering column,
the position as
ring column Stand”’
€ two screws,
cars first put the plastic cone on the s
described under "’Adjustment of stee
and secure the stand by tightening th
Drive in the locking pins.
j ta: : gear-shift
to the universal joint with the taper pin shaft
acct i steering-
gear pinion and tighten the clamping screw
sembl
as described above. y
7. Make sure that the steering column Stand is correctly
adjusted in its vertical position, since this determines
the gear positions. Adjust the twist stop of the gear
lever lock, see separate descriptions,
Adjustment of steering column stand and gear positions
The steering column stand is mounted to a bracket under
the instrument panel by means of two screws. The
screws are carrying waists and are locked by tensioning
pins. The screws can be loosened enough to make possible
adjustment of the gear positions. If the steering column
stand should be removed, the tensioning pins must first
be taken away with the aid of a mandrel.
The gear lever lock consists of a twist stop mounted to
the gear shift shaft and held by two clamping screws, one
stop screw and splines.
The twist stop has a hole in which the lock plunger goes
when locking.
Make sure that the steering column stand is correctly ad-
justed in the vertical direction, since this entirely deter-
mines the gear shift positions. The gear shift lever play
in the plane of the gear shift shaft axis should be checked
in the following manner:
Engage top gear and move the gear shift shaft firmly but
not roughly in both axial directions. When this is done
the lever knob should move in the same direction as the
shaft (in plane of shaft axis) 0.30.5 in. (8B—12 mm).
NOTE
Readjustment of the twist stop for the lock plunger
is essential whenever the gear shift mechanism has
been dismantled and after adjustment of gear pos'-
tions.
GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM, LEFT HAND DRIVE
Disassembly
1. If the complete gear shift mechanism is to be re-
moved from the car, disassemble the steering co-
lumn stand with column and gear shift mechanism
as described above.
If only the gear shift lever and gear shift shaft are
to be removed, separate the gear shift shaft uni-
versal joint from the shaft.
2. On the rear of the gear shift lever housing is a
square hole through which an arbor or other suitable
implement can be passed and pressed against one
shank of the turn guard at the same time as the
gear shift lever is pressed in and rotated through
1/4 turn.
3. Pull the gear shift shaft downwards past the gear
shift lever so that it can be passed out through the
square hole.
4. Screw the knob off the lever and remove the lever
entirely. The plastic ball, spring and turn guard will
now be released. Collect the plastic bearing from
the end of the lever.
5. Back off and remove the stop screw on the bottom
of the steering column stand and unscrew the bright
chromed nut. The gear lever head can now be re-
moved from the stand. Collect the fiber washer and
the rubber grommet located between the gear shift
shaft and the gear shift lever housing.
6. After removal of the retaining ring, the nut can be
removed from the gear shift lever housing. Collect
the fiber washer and any shims.
7. \f the gear shift shaft is to be removed, take away
the locking pin for the return spring on the lower
end of the shaft.
8. Now move the gear shift shaft downwards until it
is released from the stand.
9. Remove the turn guard from the gear shift lever
lock, if fitted, and collect the return spring and the
spring holder.
10. Remove the washer, spring, bushing, washer and
felt ring from the steering column stand. There are
two different types.
Reassembly
1. Refit the felt ring, washer, bushing, spring and wash-
er in the steering column stand.
2. Fit the return spring, spring holder and gear shift
lever twist stop on the gear shift shaft, with the
marking on the latter facing upwards. Then slide
the gear shift shaft into the steering column stand
from underneath.
SAAB 641-7
Febr 1977
Page 498
641-8
GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM
A. R.H.D.
1. Screw
2. Gear shift lever
3. Spring
4. Fork nut
5. Washer
6. Spring
7. Felt ring
8. Gear shift rod
9, Bracket
10. Bushing
11. Bushing
12. Return spring
13. Tapered pin
14. Universal joint
B. L.H.D.
15. Gear shift lever
16. Ball
17. Spring
18. Turn stop
19. Pin
20. Plastic bearing
21. Lever housing
22. 23. Washers
24. Nut
25. Fiber washer
26. Snap ring
27. Washer
28. Spring
29. Bushing
30. Washer
31. Felt ring
32. Gear shift rod
33. Pin
34. Spring retainer
35. Spring
36. Bracket
37. Rubber bushing
38. Bushing
39. Rubber ball
C. L.H.D. Later design
40. Lever housing
41. 42. Washers
43. Nut
44. Fibre washer
45. Snap ring
46. Washer
47. Spring
Febr 1977
Page 499
Refit the pin above the spring holder,
Put the fiber washer and the Nut on the gear shift
lever housing and insert the retaining ring in its
groove. Check the clearance between nut and re-
taining ring and fit the necessary number of shims
under the fiber washer. The nut should have no
clearance and be slightly stiff to turn. Note! Apply
a moderate coating of Saab special chassis grease to
the fiber washer and the internal bearing surfaces
of the nut.
Refit the gear shift lever housing in the steering co-
lumn stand. Be sure to turn the shaft so that its
slanted hole comes in the right direction as shown
in the fig. While the lever head is being passed down
towards the stand, refit the rubber grommet be-
tween the gear shift shaft and the lever housing.
Place the grommet on the same side as the gear
shift lever.
LOCATION OF GEAR SHIFT LEVER IN THE GEAR SHIFT
ROD
1. Gear shift rod
2. Gear shift lever
10,
11.
12.
13,
14,
Febr 1977
Tighten the bright chromed nut and secure it with
the stop screw.
Check that the plastic bearing with plastic ring and
the roll pin are mounted on the gear shift lever.
Pass the turn guard, the spring and the plastic ball
onto the gear shift lever.
Press the gear shift shaft downwards and pass the
gear shift lever in through the square hole in its
housing. Then screw on the knob.
Pull the gear shift lever outwards in the knob, at
the same time releasing the gear shift shaft so that
the lever enters the hole. Make sure that the plastic
ring is not pulled off the lever in course of assembly.
Using an arbor or other suitable implement, press
against one shank of the turn guard, at creseie
time turning the gear shift lever through 1/4 turn,
thus locking the lever.
Peer complete steering column stand
with column and gear shift mechanism if previously
removed,
Refit the gear shift shaft universal joint to ee a,
Adjust the steering column stand in me “ase = d
rection to ensure correct gear shift jason _
then adjust the twist stop for the gear ane
lock.
GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM, RIGHT HAND DRIVE
Disassembly
1. If the complete gear shift mechanism is to be removed,
disassemble the steering column stand with column and
gear shift mechanism as described above.
If only the gear shift lever and gear shift shaft are to
be removed, separate the gear shift shaft universal joint
from the shaft, collecting the spring for the return Mo-
vement. Then remove the steering wheel and the direc-
tional signal switch with its plastic cover.
- Back off the nut and remove the screw passing through
the gear shift lever. The lever can now be removed.
3. Back off the three screws which hold the twist stop of
the gear shift lever lock. These screws are accessible
through the three holes in the steering column stand.
4. Pull the gear shift shaft out of the stand.
5. Back off the fork nut and remove the washer, the
spring and the felt bushing from down inside the stand.
3] Vi
32
‘Ss
7
34 .
BSG
REVERSE CATCH R.H.D.
29. Washer
30. Plastic hose
31. Spring
32. Plastic washer
33. Washer
34. Casing
35. Pin
36. Carrier sleeve
seeeee
As right hand drive cars are equipped with a special reverse
catch, the following additional steps must be taken for
these cars: Before pulling the gear shift shaft out of the
column, remove the yoke sleeve on the gear shift shaft is
pulled out of the stand, insert a pipe about 9.85 in. (250
SAAB 641-9
Page 500
EEO
mm) long and 0.63 in (16 mm) in diameter up through
the casing for the reverse catch, thus preventing the spring
and the washers can now be removed, pull the pipe down-
wards so that the Upper washer can be extracted sideways.
Note that the Spring must be compressed while this is
being done. After having removed the washer, release the
spring carefully, Collect the plastic washer, the pipe and
the metal washer from under the spring,
Reassembly
—
Insert a new felt bushing in the stand, Lubricate
the bushing with Saab special chassis grease.
2. Place the spring and the washer on the fork nut.
3. Screw in the fork nut far enough to leave about
0,04 in. (1 mm) clearance between the fork flange
and the edge of the stand.
4. Pass the gear shift shaft into the stand and, at the
same time, slide on the twist stop for the gear shift
lever lock with the marking turned upwards to face
the steering wheel. Turn the ignition key to the
locked position so that the lock plunger slides into
the recess in the twist stop,
5. Refit the gear lever, making sure that the three leaf
springs are correctly positioned.
6, Pass the bolt through the gear shift lever and the
oval hole in the gear shift shaft. Tighten the nut to
eliminate all play but without impairing free lever
movement.
7. Refit the direction indicator switch with its plastic
cover.
8. Reassemble the complete steering column stand with
column and gear shift mechanism if previously re-
moved, Reassemble the gear shift shaft universal
joint and the spring for the return movement.
9. Refit the steering wheel and horn button assembly.
10. Adjust the steering column stand in the vertical di-
rection to ensure correct gear shift positions and
then adjust the twist stop for the gear shift lever
lock. See the description in the section concerned.
Right hand drive are equipped with a special reverse
catch. Refit the casing for the reverse stop by passing
through it a pipe or other suitable implement with a
length of about 9.85 in. (250 mm) and 0.63 in, (16 mm)
in diameter. Then pass onto the pipe the metal washer
and the plastic washer forming the lower seat for the
spring as well as the plastic collar, Next, pass the spring
onto the pipe. Compress the spring and mount the upper
metal washer from the side in order to lock the spring
and then slide the pipe up through the washer. Now screw
the casing, complete with spring and washers, to the stand,
While the gear shift shaft is being passed into the stand
and the casing for the reverse catch, pull the pipe used
for assembly of the spring out gradually. When the gear
shift shaft has been passed through the casing, secure the
yoke sleeve to the shaft by driving in the pin.
641—10
R SHIFT SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT
GEA
GEAR SHIFT SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT, L.H.D. CAR
1. Gear shift rod
2. Conical pin with lock nut
3. Rubber boot
4. Rubber disc
5. Operating shaft, gear box
6. Spring
GEAR SHIFT SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT, R.H.D. DRIVE CAR
Disassembly and reassembly
The universal joints can be lubricated without being dis-
assembled if the rubber dust excluders are turned aside.
1. Remove the fastener and drive out the taper pin.
If the taper pin is threaded at both ends, proceed as
follows: Remove the nut and place it on the other end
Febr 1977