'88 Spider suspension

[alanP]

Hi All, enjoying my 88 Spider Veloce but noticing when going over bumps the front end gets "squirrely" with shaking thru the steering wheel. More so when, for example, when driving over railroad tracks & jarring type hazzards. It also drifts a bit on smooth roads.

Is this something I can evaluate myself & correct? If not then any good Alfa mechanics in Delaware?

Thanks much for any info.

alanP

[bobbrady]

Raise the car up from the front. Look at all the ball joints and tie rod ends for wear... can they wiggle? Sounds like lower ball joints to me.

bob brady
Delaware Valley AROC

[alanP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbrady Raise the car up from the front. Look at all the ball joints and tie rod ends for wear... can they wiggle? Sounds like lower ball joints to me. bob brady Delaware Valley AROC

[Zunige]

Our Spiders have a degree of chassis flex, which results in cowl shake and feels like every bolt is going to come out of the car when going over railroad tracks. (This is true for all older convertibles.) You can stiffen the chassis and improve the drive dramatically by installing a chassis stiffener. These are available from the person who designed it, Don Ereminas, and the usual Alfa suppliers, like Centerline and IAP. (Don supplies them both.)

Now don't confuse the mention condition with the car drifting... One has nothing to do with the other, and drifting is not normal (you are running with very wide tires, are yuo?), so do follow Bob's previous advise.

Best regards,