Brake Pedal Sticks Down 2010-11 9-5 9650 Brakes Remain Applied or Lights On

Just entered the world of Saab with the purchase of a 2011 9-5 turbo 4. It been a little bit of a bumpy start. First was a bad throttle body sending out all sorts of bad codes. I had that taken care of, and now I've got this sticky brake pedal which is described above. It's very odd how for the first half of the day it's fine, but as soon as things start to warm up it starts sticking. I know the last post was from a year ago, and I'm just wondering if anyone has found out any more info. I have found the brake assembly for sale and have a Saab specialist in town who'll do the work. The problem itself is quite annoying. I think it's something that Saab/GM should take care of. I've never driven anything fancy and have had very few mechanical problems. Here I get a pretty nice car and now I've got problems, but this brake thing seems very unnecessary. What did they do wrong for this to start happening? Hoping someone can confirm it was only a 3 hr. job to replace the bushings and clips. Thanks for any input.

I also found a source for the pedal assembly. I believe I was quoted at just under $600. My understanding is that you have to buy the entire assembly as the brake pedal and bushings are not available as separate items. I might attempt doing the job myself at some point. Only time will tell. However, I do drive the car even in the heat. After the car has been sitting in the sun all afternoon, I just run the A/C and continue to lift the brake pedal with my foot until the car cools off. After a short while the pedal does seem to respond properly. I know this is no way roll but it beats just letting the car sit until it gets fixed. My local shop confirms there have been no recalls or campaigns regarding this issue. I love the car otherwise. It really does not seem to be any more expensive to run than any other euro-car.

I am curious if parts are interchangeable with Buick and Chevy as some of these models had the same problem. If I take my car anywhere I might start with an independent as they might be more willing to source other GM parts which might do the trick. Heck, many of the parts on these cars are stamped "GM". I will be interested in what you find out and/or have the procedure done. If I do it or have it done I will also share my experiences. Mine is a 6-speed manual with the brake pedal problem.

Right now I am swapping out the coils and plugs on my 2008 9-3 Aero XWD. These are Bosch and NGK parts.

You might want to keep checking around. My mechanic found the brake assembly for about $300.

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Originally Posted by jneilon

You might want to keep checking around. My mechanic found the brake assembly for about $300.

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Was that for SAAB original part? I think the $600 (includes shipping) was from SAAB. Also, I was told it would have to come from Sweden and take about 6 weeks to get it. If a GM part will fit perhaps I can get one locally. If I remove it myself I can take it around to GM shops or even get a part number off of it. In any case, I won't get to it until I finish working on the 9-3. Hopefully, be finished by early next week.

Fred, turns out it was even less, $170. Here's the link
http://www.saabusaparts.com/product-p/4545315.htm

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Originally Posted by jneilon

Fred, turns out it was even less, $170. Here's the link
http://www.saabusaparts.com/product-p/4545315.htm

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SAABUSA is a good site. I have ordered from them before. Don't know if you can still call them any more or if you just have to order on-line. I do have a manual shift so I don't know if the link was for an automatic or manual shift pedal box. Although their manual pedal box is listed for under $400. Maybe the bushings are the same for both the manual and autoboxs?

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Originally Posted by fred

SAABUSA is a good site. I have ordered from them before. Don't know if you can still call them any more or if you just have to order on-line. I do have a manual shift so I don't know if the link was for an automatic or manual shift pedal box. Although their manual pedal box is listed for under $400. Maybe the bushings are the same for both the manual and autoboxs?

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I had an interesting conversation with a parts fellow from SAAB. The replacement pedal box is the exact same as currently on the car. There is no part # which supersedes the current part. If this is the same part which has a defect in the bushing/brake pedal, the replacement would likely have the same issue. We could end up spending a lot of money only to have the same issue arise after a short while. My car only has 23k miles on it and it has already developed this problem. I think maybe the better alternative might be to take the car to an independent shop, have them remove the brake pedal and then attempt to repair it. We conjectured that the brake pedal bushing might be pressed into place. In any case, perhaps a better bushing could be utilized by using the existing hole diameter or by enlarging the hole and pressing in another more durable bushing. Having not seen the part out of the car this is difficult to determine. I guess, only a trip to the shop will help here.

Makes sense that the defect would be present in the replacement part. I was hoping that Burnsside42 would chime in again. He seemed to know what he was talking about. I almost want to look under there myself to hook up a small spring to just pull the pedal back that last little bit. I bought mine with 87,000 on it, and I don't remember just how soon it started, but it wasn't long after I purchased it. Too bad GM isn't owning up to a defect that they should take care of. It can be a safety issue because when it's sticking and you try to accelerated, there is a dangerous hesitation.
Appreciate your input, I think getting a mechanic to just deal with the bushing makes more sense.

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Originally Posted by jneilon

Makes sense that the defect would be present in the replacement part. I was hoping that Burnsside42 would chime in again. He seemed to know what he was talking about. I almost want to look under there myself to hook up a small spring to just pull the pedal back that last little bit. I bought mine with 87,000 on it, and I don't remember just how soon it started, but it wasn't long after I purchased it. Too bad GM isn't owning up to a defect that they should take care of. It can be a safety issue because when it's sticking and you try to accelerated, there is a dangerous hesitation.
Appreciate your input, I think getting a mechanic to just deal with the bushing makes more sense.

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got the coils and plugs changed on my aero. what a difference! when one or more coils go it is a scary feeling. suddenly the car shudders and loses power when you attempt to accelerate. this happened to me on a recent trip. luckily, the car was able to make it home okay by driving slower and not accelerating hard. once the coils and plugs were changed, it returned to normal. the saab dealership wanted $140 per coil. can you imagine changing out 6 coils at the dealership? I bought bosch on-line for about $45 each. big difference on what is truly a tune up item.

I won't get back to the 9-5 for another 2-3 weeks. I will post what I find out. Until then, I have other cars to drive. both my saabs are great cars but they are expensive to maintain. soon, I might be needing the rear shocks changed which cost somewhere between $1200 to $1600 installed depending on shop. doesn't appear that there are aftermarket shocks for my aero. once they start to leak - 40-75 k miles - you need to start shopping around.

We just completed the pedal assembly replacement. It was on a 2011 9-5 Aero. I'm going to have to call BS on the three hour claim. The steering column, master cylinder, brake booster, ABS unit had to be removed along with unbolting some engine mounts as the engine (V-6) won't allow the booster to be removed unless it is moved. It's an all day job. Just being realistic, that's all.