Alfa156Melb

When you say by hand, do you mean don't use air tools?

even better - thank you

Heya Smaky, its occurred to me that its been years since my power steering fluids been changed.. Any chance of a cheerful guide for a full flush and change? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Smaky, my right side lower engine mount is cactus.. so sometime next week I'll order a new one.. I had a peek under the car when it was on the hoist this morning having its strut sorted and from what i can gather, it seems a walk in the park swapping that mount out.. Are there any hidden gems I should know about or is it a matter of supporting the engine and unbolt and replace affair as it seems to appear?

Well, they fixed it today - and i had it realigned too... I'd say its settled a fair bit too.. The outcome is.. The car is brilliant. Happy days

OK I think.. the cars booked back in at the genius mechanic to fix his work on Wednesday.

I know! my question was, would that cause a rubbery, dull ( but loud) clunk? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmmm where's smaky? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lucky i kept the old dampers, just cant remember if the nuts are on them or not.. When i get home ill check.. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmm actually, i remember reading that too now.. Ok thanks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok no dramas, thanks smaky. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

G'day Smaky, I had the B8's fitted last Friday whilst my first impression isn't very good, the car holds the road as if its on steroids. It bloody uncomfortable though,. There's now a clunk coming from the rear pax wheel - its not a droplink as its brand new. Its especially loud when the wheels unloaded such as going around a left hand corner. So this morning i notice that the car was raised a little on the left... 5mm difference. So I took the wheel off and found this: As you can see, the spring isnt seated properly.. So that would be why its sitting high, but would that cause a knocking noise?

Yeah i saw what it was, and thats great news looks like a simple job to fit too thanks Smaky, you've saved me a fortune...

I looked that up in eper and it doesn't tell me anything.. What is it? Edit - OK found it, so that will retro fit on my model? 2003 2.0 JTS interior facelift. I ask, becuase the dealer assured me that the stalk is part of the full cluster and could not be seperated... Not that i believe much of what they say!

I got the answer, local dealer wants $1200 for a new cluster... whoa. At least I know they come in one unit now. I'm staggered at how expensive it is locally?! I shouldn't be, everything else in Australia is, but this is ridiculous. Edit: Just checked prices in the UK - $450... amazing. Still, I think I'll just go to a wrecker...

Smaky, the the rotary knob on my cruise stalk is failing so it's time to replace it, can I just get the stalk, or is it part of the full stalk cluster? Looking at the pic, it looks like its separate - perhaps it depends on the model? In Australia only one JTS was released - fully spec'd.. so there was no choice here and as such I have no idea what the options were in the UK... The pic below is from Alfa Workshop and it seems to be the only variation they offer as far as I can tell... Also, are they easy to dismantle and replace? (probably not)

Ok,. I can see that.. How does it compare to multilink suspension? And, up front, would you choose Maccys over double wishbones? or would it depend on the application?

What did you type the first time? TBH - I have the impression that MacPherson Struts are mostly used to reduce cost.. That isn't based on any real knowledge, in fact I really don't know why I have that impression come to think of it...

Fair enough Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok, glad we cleared that up.. Cheers So in regards to the rear set up -- alfa took the cheap and cheerful option by the sounds of it.. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Heya Smaky.... So my sexy new Bilstein B8's have finally arrived from Alfisti.net.. awesome looking pieces of kit... all they need is a bit of lube and.... Anyway.. I have a question - why are the rears so gargantuan, compared to the front which are pissy little things. It all seems backwards to me... The only thing that comes to mind is that the rear is a MacPherson strut set up, so the damper is load bearing.. where as the front dampers aren't, given it's a double wishbone set up. Am I on the right track? Also, is the rear technically a MacPherson Strut, a Chapman strut or is it known as something else entirely?

Actually I'm thinking of sponsoring a Smaky Downunder Tour.. I should run it past some of the locals.. in between chasing off the kangaroos...

God... I feel so isolated..

LOL Cool, thanks

No point in starting another handbrake thread, so I'll just hijack this one The button on my handbrake lever is broken, so I've got a new lever assembly ready to fit in the car.. whenever i get around to doing it.... What happens if I remove the 13mm adjuster nut? Smaky can you offer any wisdom on replacing the whole lever assy? :Big Grin: