1. On July 26 driving home from work attempted to shift Saab, clutch went to floor. Discovered broken clutch cable and had vehicle towed to residence. 1 August, removed old clutch cable and installed new clutch cable, full installation, but had difficulty adjusting clutch play.
2. Decided to have experts adjust clutch and called Two Fat Guys automotive and asked if they worked on Saab vehicles, they responded yes. I had the vehicle towed to Two Fat Guys (3 August). Received call from TFG's stating they had to remove transmission to fix problem, wife concurred. On 5 August was notified that the clutch and throw out bearing bad, gave approval to repair clutch and assembly. Additionally, notified that right axle was bad (at a cost of 200+ more dollars).
Agreed to the repair of the right axle. Was called on 9 August on vehicle completed, did not pick up vehicle until 13 August. Drove vehicle for one day, immediately noticed shifting problems drove to work, when attempting to return home COULD NOT put vehicle in reverseSaab is unique that cannot remove vehicle keys unless in reverse. Had to physically push vehicle out of parking lot and was hoping to make it home and that noting else would go wrong. Upon arriving home decided to look under hood at repair job noticed the followingLoose transmission bolt (almost fell out) Upper right fuse box not secure, nut was not returned had to fix myself, electrical connection next to fuse box disconnected, at this point frustrated that what else could be wrong (especially inside the clutch assembly area).
Additionally, A/C did not work and blew hot aircoincidence? A/C worked perfect before I brought it in. What if my wife and Kids were in vehicle, I have 3 and 7 year old children, I spent almost $1500.00 on repairs because I felt that I could rely on a professional service as TFG's, I had to rely on asking for rides to work in the absence of my vehicle I turned in vehicle on 3 August and here it is 23 August and vehicle is still broke! Besides the 1500.00 I spent on repairs 20 days later and the problem still exists?
TFG's was notified and agreed to pick up vehicle and look at problems. They stated the reverse problem was due to a broken piece on the shifter assembly, stated on the repair statement Gear lever not removed during diagnostic or subsequent clutch replacement, I feel this is an inaccurate statement. By dropping the transmission there is no doubt that there was some interference with the gear lever.
3. I finally, picked up my Saab on Friday 19 Aug, drove it for Approx. 17 miles and the shifter level frequently refuses to go into second gear, it originally happened to my wife and then I checked it and it was OK, then I drove it and it happened to me twice within 5 miles, I drove it home without the use of 2nd gear. I considered going to an authorized Saab dealer or Saab specific repair shop. I cannot afford the inconvenience that TFG's have put myself and my family through. I feel it is unfair and downright unlawful that I had to pay such a price and sacrifice my time and effort and money on a service job that should have been done correctly and timely.
23 August Dropped off Saab to TWO fat Guys on Babcockwanted to ensure another shop checked the SaabNow could not shift into 2nd and 4th gear. Glen was the service manager said he would get car looked at today.
23 August 1400found out that the car was going to be towed to TFG's at Boerne store. 1700master tech from Boerne store was going to look at car and fix on the spot.
24 August 1100-- Saab still at Babcock location, new word Master tech going to tow back to Helotes store NOTE: went on search two fat guys automotive found link RIPOFF report.comdisgruntle customer from Helotes store who stated Helotes did faulty work.
n 8 PMcall from John at Helotes storemaster tech was to look at car still nothing not even am estimate of what is wrong.
26 August 1100Received call from Ken Bachelor's Saab (Michelle) they stated that the car is needs a $ 500.00 part/service to be fixed and that the problem is related to the removing of the transmission and changing of the clutch.
26 August 1110TFG's(John) said that they have not spoke to KBS and are still awaiting word.
27 August 1410visit Saab Service Manager Michelle, she said that the shifter was dislodged and that it would take $ 500.00 to fix properly, Val called at 1800 and said that the Saab Service manager did not know what they were talking about and Val said the Saab Mechanic could fix it temporarily and that it would drive, but no guarantee when it would break again. I told Val that would not do and I wanted it fixed correctly for the safety of my family. He refused to pay the 500.00 for Saab to fix it, but wanted me to drive it how it was and then fix it later at his shopI said I think Saab should fix it and he should paywhy should I take it and let his shop mess it up again.
FINALLYSAAB Dealer decided that customer service was above all and allowed to charge only 250.00, in which TFG's decided to pay 30 DAYS later!
Kirby
San Antonio, Texas
U.S.A.