Alfa156Melb 9 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 So I'm about to replace the drop links on my 156 - it looks pretty basic, but is there any thing I should look out for? Maybe some advice that will help make the job go smoother? Bear in mind I'm a noob.. I used to work on my Dad's vintage cars as a kid, but that was 100 years ago, and I have a very bad memory Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smaky 73 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 Is it definately the drop links? It's normally the ARB wearing away the bushes which causes a rumbling, drop links rarely fail on these cars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfa156Melb 9 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 To be honest Smaky, I don't know. My mechanic told me after he installed the mew motor, that the car needed new drop links, and possibly ARB bushes or upper wishbones. There was a knock in the front end that sounded like drop links - however that's settled now and the knocks gone.. but only after I ordered the links! He said that once he had the drop links out, he'd get a better idea re the squeak.... I've since decided that I'm spending too much on this car so I'll do the basic work myself (where i can). Which is why I posted this. Given the car has done 120,000kms, they are probably due, as is most of the front end.. then again, it is very very tight, handles very well... apart from the creaky squeak, which is driving me insane. The squeak must go... or I will have to kill the car. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smaky 73 Report post Posted January 5, 2012 To be honest Smaky, I don't know. My mechanic told me after he installed the mew motor, that the car needed new drop links, and possibly ARB bushes or upper wishbones. There was a knock in the front end that sounded like drop links - however that's settled now and the knocks gone.. but only after I ordered the links! He said that once he had the drop links out, he'd get a better idea re the squeak.... I've since decided that I'm spending too much on this car so I'll do the basic work myself (where i can). Which is why I posted this. Given the car has done 120,000kms, they are probably due, as is most of the front end.. then again, it is very very tight, handles very well... apart from the creaky squeak, which is driving me insane. The squeak must go... or I will have to kill the car. "SQUEAK", you don't get squaeks from the ARB or the drop links, if it's squeaking then it'll be the upper wishbone bushes. And why didn't he mention anything while the engine was out and it would have been a 20 minute change of the bar and links if he's so convinced? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfa156Melb 9 Report post Posted January 6, 2012 I know.. I fuckin know. He also rebuilt the head on my old engine after the cam belt snapped, and didnt think to check the big end... suffice to say, the big end went 3 weeks after the repair.. twice. hence the new engine. I'f Id have sold the car and used the money I spend on repairs, Id own a GTA now. Anyway, long story. He has a very good rep here in Melbourne, many club members use him, he's well respected.. My old man also used to use him when we had maseratis... But my respect is diminishing. Back to the ARB.. the noise is more a deep creak.. like a bed makes when you're having a shag. Would a creak fall under the squeak category? Or is a whole different kettle of noises? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smaky 73 Report post Posted January 6, 2012 He has a very good rep here in Melbourne, many club members use him, he's well respected.. My old man also used to use him when we had maseratis... But my respect is diminishing. Respect and knowledge are 2 completely different things, there are loads of "respected" Alfa Indies here in the UK and they are recommended on forums everywhere, but, would I use them if I had a problem??? Not a bloody chance, what you find is that with Marques like Fiat/Alfa/Lancia specialist actually means "Buisness man with a bag of spanners who has found a brand that most garages wont touch, so they can misdiagnose, perform half arsed/innaprpriate work and charge what they like". Normally i's some cowboy conman with a conviction list the length of your arm and more names than the Scarlet Pimpernel who's dreamed up his sceme in the local Queen & co. hotel. Back to the ARB.. the noise is more a deep creak.. like a bed makes when you're having a shag. Would a creak fall under the squeak category? Or is a whole different kettle of noises? Creak = Upper wishbone bushes for sure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfa156Melb 9 Report post Posted January 6, 2012 OK, this is good news as it happens, I am upgrading the dampers soon.. Ill replace the wishbones then and leave the ARB as is. cheers for that Smaky. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smaky 73 Report post Posted January 7, 2012 OK, this is good news as it happens, I am upgrading the dampers soon.. Ill replace the wishbones then and leave the ARB as is. cheers for that Smaky. If your doing the dampers then don't forget the springs (which are you going for?), but at that point your back in the territory of a good time to replace the ARB. First though check it out whilst doing the uppers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfa156Melb 9 Report post Posted January 8, 2012 The car already has Eibach prokit springs.. they were fitted by the previous owner, but he left the orginal dampers in. So I'm considering the Bilstein B6 or B8 dampers. Will get it checked. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smaky 73 Report post Posted January 8, 2012 The car already has Eibach prokit springs.. they were fitted by the previous owner, but he left the orginal dampers in. So I'm considering the Bilstein B6 or B8 dampers. Will get it checked. I'd go for Koni FSDs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfa156Melb 9 Report post Posted January 16, 2012 I considered them, but I'm on a budget... That said, many people have great things to say about the B6's... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfa156Melb 9 Report post Posted January 18, 2012 So.. back to the infamous drop links.. anything thing that I should look out for? I'm planning on replacing them this weekend... Just did the thermostat.. engine still works.. so thats good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfa156Melb 9 Report post Posted January 18, 2012 So.. back to the infamous drop links.. anything thing that I should look out for? I'm planning on replacing them this weekend... Just did the thermostat.. engine still works.. so thats good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfa156Melb 9 Report post Posted January 21, 2012 Well, I replaced the drop links today.. easy job.. Ended up having to grind the top nuts off each side, but that was no worries.. new ones went on really easy.. Knocks all gone, squeak is a bit louder. but thats probably in my mind! Upper wish bones next! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smaky 73 Report post Posted January 21, 2012 I'd hold judgement on the knocking but to aid you there is a guide for the upper arms here too so you have no excuses for ballsing it up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfa156Melb 9 Report post Posted January 21, 2012 hehe.. I'd not have bothered with the drop links if I hadn't already bought them on the advice of my loony mechanic. Just need to send a couple of invoices out - we need to eat before fixing Alfa,. Damn wife.. Then i'll buy the upper wish's and follow your guide Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
