AW55-50SN woes-easy to repair? Topic is solved

[precopster]

One of the purposes of this thread was to work out how it can be cleaned while still in the transmission.

Except of course for the development of the "Precuhfs" method of skewering the filter

While you have the filter there can you poor solvent from the upper side to see what can dislodge the sediment. I already tried Shellite which is 100% hydrocarbon and it didn't help.

I wonder if acetone will do the job.

[abscate]

If it's clutch lining material it isn't going to dissolve in solvents short of Aqua Regina acid, likely to have side effects. Likewise if it's metallic grind.

Kudos for finding a workaround to this without a complete trans overhaul!!

[jonesg]

It will be interesting to see what the external filter traps.

[vt9000cse]

I have a clear filter trap in line with the Saab 9-3 SS (2003 model first year of that design). I will take photos of the debris it collects.

In addition I felt the filter material "pop" when I skewered it and exactly as you said, it poured additional fluid out the drain hole and my skewer hole. I'm working on a plug now to seal up the transmission so I can temporarily fill it with the Mobil 3309 ATF and then see if the car now operates as it should or if I have to punch more holes in the filter.

[precopster]

My turn to bring out the popcorn. Goodluck !

Someone recently had this little gem installed at a jiffy lube after a stripped sump thread. Looks so clever.

[vt9000cse]

As promised. I drilled a 6.7 mm hole right under the transmission filter inlet at the bottom of the bell housing. Punched at least one hole into the filter and could tell when a bunch of fluid started draining out. Then I tapped the hole with an M8x1.25 mm. Then I ran a half gallon of fluid out the hole to try and flush any aluminum chips out of the sump. I used a stainless steel M8x1.25 mm bolt with a large washer and a neoprene washer to seal it.

You can also see my inline filter with the transmission cooling lines.

And the YouTube video of the very quiet transmission pump!!!

[vt9000cse]

And the first drive! Oh I am very happy. I've been working on this car for over a year! I knew the transmission was not bad as every once in a while it would work for a mile or two then just stop working.

Driving video. Forwards and Backwards!

[precopster]

If you think it's good now wait until the TCM adapts to the new fluid pressure

Well done!

Now go and tell your Saab brethren in all the land both far and wide.

[vt9000cse]

Shhh. Don't get too excited. The whine in the bell housing is back! I may have to punch a few more holes in the filter. It's only about 25% bad in noise level as before and now I'm getting a P0743 code. I'm hoping it's only because the fluid pressure is just not enough to lock up the torque converter clutch.

[precopster]

I did at least 30 upward thrusts into that sucker before I was satisfied it was enough. Let us know what happens.

The TCC solenoid may have been faulty all along as well as the blocked filter. It may need to be replaced.