1990 SAAB 900S REAR BRAKE CALIPERS

Sorry, gentlemen; NO 'C' clamps should be used on the rear callipers of 1988 to 1993 and 1994 convertible SAABs! Unless you want to replace the callipers, that is...

There is a calliper adjusting screw, at the rear of the calliper, hidden behind the parking cable. Unhook and remove the parking cable from the back of the calliper. You'll see a hex head located on the back of the calliper, between the hook to attach the end of the parking cable, and the hole through the bracket where the cable passes to the front of the car. The hex head is most easily seen if you hoist the car; it's not the most obvious until you've found at it a couple of times, then you can do it by touch with the car on a jack stand and without getting underneath!

Remove the hex head bolt, about a 12 mm or so wrench/socket, and you can then get at the calliper adjusting screw to tighten or release it as appropriate; the adjusting screw has an internal hex head socket, use a 4 mm Allen key. Likely the adjusting screw will be a bit stiff; spray into the hole with penetrating spray and let stand a few minutes before trying the Allen key.

Good luck!

Saabreur above has given accurate instructions. Yes, do not force with clamp until you back off on the self adjuster mechanism as he explains. With my older rear calipers, the adjusting hex screw was stuck, so I could not back off on the self adjuster. I had to resort to replacing the caliper with rebuilt Centrics, however the replacement rear left caliper was hanging up. E Europarts .com was kind enough to replace it for me with another. For some reason, replacement #2 still hangs up a little, although not as much as before. Cables are not connected, so I know it is not they that are causing drag on the left side. I wish I knew for sure if I was doing something wrong.

This may sound a little unorthodox. I've replaced my rear brake pads on my 1990 SAAB 900S 2 1/2 times. The 1st time I discovered the conventional C-clamp method didn't work and was informed about the weird ratchet tool (which didn't fit either). I took a pair of channel locks and turned the caliper piston (I believe clockwise) until it compressed all the way down to install the new pads. I just installed the whole set of brake pads on the entire car with no problems, except for the rear passenger side. For some strange reason, I'm having problems with compressing the caliper on the rear passenger side as I've done in the past. That's why I'm here.

Is the emergency brake set? Unbolt the caliper body which should release everything from the rotor. Use a lever to pry the caliper body away from the rotor on one side then again on the other. Fluid level will rise in the master cylinder as you do this. Hope this helps.

Did you use a C-clamp?
A large C-clamp 12" or, more placed across the caliper case and, the outside caliper pad will press the caliper closed; then the brake pads can be removed