Aussie Boxer Thread

[dave33]

I would make sure that the place doing the alignment knows what the factory settings are actually supposed to be. My 33 got given a slight "Toe in" setting when I first took it to the local alignment shop, its probably a nice safe setting, but not optimum for the Alfa. The manual actually says 4mm "Toe out" for the 33. The Sprint is likely somewhat similar.

The tie-rod ends are a swine to remove on the 33 too !
Anyone got a good method apart from bashing the hell out of them ?

[Spooty22]

If you can remove the tie rod ends yourself, it is quite easy to do the alignment yourself. Suds are only adjustable for toe and the only tool you need for adjusting toe is a tape measure!

I do all my alignments myself, using a tape measure. Last time I had my work checked at an alignment shop using their equipment - it was spot on! And I used a high tech $4 tape measure.

It's actually hard to get wrong as if you adjust both sides equally you can only get a resolution of +/- 10mm. So, for example, you'll be getting measurements such as 10mm toe in , 0 or 10mm toe out. As you can see, it's not too hard to be in the right spot.

[GTVnut]

Im sure you are right Spooty! I need pics!

[enri]

is this the tool being referred to?

[Spooty22]

That could work. Is it a genuine alfa tool?

[GTVnut]

[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\My Documents\My Pictures\Aussie10[/IMG]

[enri]

just replaced the tie rod end on my car today

on normal cars, the steering arm can adjusted by screwing in and out for length
but on suds, either the tie rod end has to be removed from the strut or the steering rod from the rack in order to turn it to make the adjustment
which means adjustments of minimum 1 full thread

spooty22,
no its not a genuine alfa tool .
and is 10mm the gain from 1 full revolution of both the steering rods?
do you have to do both sides to keep the steering rack centred?
that would mean both tie rods should show the same amount of thread on each side
where is the steering stoppers on these cars? inside the rack?

[Spooty22]

Hi Enri,


10mm is the result of adjusting both rods equally, yes.

I would definitely try to get both sides equal. I currently have different brand tie rod ends on my car, so I can't get them equal length and the steering just feels *weird*. Why do spare parts shops only ever seem to stock 1 tie rod end?

[RGC33]

Hi Guys,
Just wanted to join in on this thread, there is a very healthy Alfa scene in the ACT.
Here is a vid of my 33.


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[GTVnut]

Hey welcome, thanks for the sweet vid

[Paolobuchberger]

In case anyone has not noticed there is pretty nice looking series 1 sprint for sale on e-bay in Tasmania. Am tempted to bid on it for parts alone except I have nowhere to put it.

regards

Paolo

[GTVnut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paolobuchberger In case anyone has not noticed there is pretty nice looking series 1 sprint for sale on e-bay in Tasmania. Am tempted to bid on it for parts alone except I have nowhere to put it. regards Paolo

[87Sprint]

for all those people here that do a service themselves...

1)what parts are you using and from where....

2)and what prices are you paying?....

i just went to get some oil, filter and plugs from repco (i know) and by some miracle the price for the oil filter has jumped from $20 odd dollars to $40 i mentioned this and suggested i would buy the filter elsewhere and another miracle...he can do it for $23! so was he just trying to charge an 'Alfa tax' or what?!

i bought some 15w40 castrol and some BPR6E NGk's and a Z421 Ryco filter

[GTVnut]

I have had similar experiences at Repco, I always laugh at them and remnind them that my car is an '81, not a '07 and the local boys at Noosa Repco usually throw in a large discount. They always go the extra mile to find odd things I need and always check the data base etc for any non genuine bits made by local manufacturers, bushings, etc., that I might be interested in. I did a recent service with Slick 50 followed by synthetic 15-50w goes very nice now..........

[77SudTi]

For a service, I buy oil from Big W - cheapest place to get oil (I buy Shell Helix) and oil filters I get from the Spare Place in the City, around $15 and made in italy! Cheaper than a locally made one, how is that?!

For any parts you need, I mean anything always go to the spare place for alfa parts, or Turin Imports. Forget other generic auto shops, I find they are a rip off (have u seen the price of tools in Repco!! Who buys that stuff?!)

The Spare Place and Turin imports do good parts for all your alfa needs at very good prices, and have everything from general service needs to full overhaul parts.

If you live interstate, both places ship items out to customers. I believe thay are among the best Alfa part suppliers in the country, good old Adelaide again!