'63 Giulia Spider Normale Restoration (Euro) - Page 12

**user459** · #**166** (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 07:29 AM

Pat,
Your work on the rear end looks great! You have inspired me to do the same. Here are pictures of the front limit cable attached to the spring pan. I hope you saved the old cable to reference the order of washers and rubber bushings on the top of the cable where it enters the engine compartment. If not, let me know.

Terry

GTD · #**167** (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 09:33 AM

Patrick
Here's a reference for the attaching hardware.

**Gordon Raymond** · #**168** (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 10:44 AM

Hi Patrick,
Replaced mine about a year ago, as per diagram. Bought from Centerline about two years ago. A word of FYI. All was fine on my OEM 41 year old cables, but the plasrtic covering had cracked, and there were surface rust issues. A drop limiter failure is unplesant at speed while cornering, at best

. Better to be safe. However, the plastic covering on my NEW cables have cracked

in less than 3000 miles

. No rust issues, the way I use the car that will take years. I am wondering if some of that black dip plastic, sold at hardware stores for tool handles might be better that the plastic tubing? Before you install yours, think about it

. I will be pulling mine to experiment soon. Best, as always

Gordon Raymond

GTD · #**169** (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 11:37 AM

GR
I read of electrical shrink tubing being used to re-cover the cables. Not sure what the long term results would be but it is easy to fit.

**Gordon Raymond** · #**170** (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 01:08 PM

Tried an experiment with heat shrink on old cables. Shrink has to be HUGE to fit over cable ends. Shrinks down ok, but is quite stiff. May also crack as it is not for flexable use.
Gordon Raymond

**pathung** · #**171** (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 09:37 PM

Thanks all for the pictures and comments.

I re-examined the limiter cables I purchased from the UK, and noticed that they came with none of the washers, grommets, and nuts as shown in GTD's diagram and Terry's photos. I just have the cable itself (item #8 on GTD's diagram). Do folks know where I can purchase the entire set of washers and nuts? I don't think that I can find part 1365.45.462 at my local hardware store! FYI, my car didn't have the cables when I bought it.

**Gordon Raymond** · #**172** (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 09:52 PM

Patrick,
The rubber upper washers are on e-bay now and then, probably Centerline has them too. The large washers, one with a small hole and one with a hole for the sleeve, as well as the sleeve could be made up IF you had a sample.
Probably the best route is an older Alfa restorer, or shop, that has a set from a stripped car. If you are unable to find a source, send me a PM and I will see if I can find a sample somewhere to copy. As I mentioned, I have to take mine down (again!) to do something about the cracked plastic. I could make up a set for you then, but I'm not sure when "then" will be.
Best, Gordon Raymond

**pathung** · #**173** (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 10:02 PM

Thanks, Gordon. I have a friend locally who just finished restoring his '62 Spider; he might be able to help. We also have a wonderful Alfa used-parts shop (Alfa Parts Exchange) here in the SF Bay Area that I can check for used washers.

As for the rubber donuts, I've just found new ones on Re-originals for $12/pop.

alfazagato · #**174** (**permalink**) 03-08-2007, 05:27 PM

I have used two layers of heat-shrink with no cracking problems as yet!

**user459** · #**175** (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 01:52 PM

Pat,
Your excellent pictures inspired me to get my "rear end" in gear and do the same. I am attaching before and after pics of the rear. I have a couple of questions:
Did you replace all of the bushings on the trailing arms and the triangle? Where did you get them? Also, I seem to have some issues with the limit straps. I got some from Trevor Fay in Australia, but they are shorter than my old ones. His were a bit over 24" and my old ones are closer to 30". Do you know the length of yours? And, where did you get them?

Thanks,

Terry

Alfajay · #**176** (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 02:37 PM

Terry:

Wow, looks good. I'll be interested to see what replies you get back regarding the bushings in the rear A arm. Perhaps they're the same as those used in the trailing arms. I must admit that I just re-installed my arm using the old bushings. I worry about that ball joint too (the one on the A arm that attaches to the differential) - what to do when that requires service.

Regarding the length of the limit straps - two thoughts:

- Alfa used two methods for securing the limit straps. I believe that early cars overlapped them under the bump stop that bolts to the frame, while later cars used two small steel plates approx 1-1/2" square with four bolts through them which "sandwich" the butted ends of the limit strap. Trevor Fay may be assuming the butt and sandwich method - it does make things easier to take apart. That design calls for shorter straps, since they are not overlapped.

- Check to see what length straps your car really needs. The straps should become tight and limit further downward axle movement just before the spring is fully extended. You definitely don't want them too long - the springs can fall off their perches - and don't want them too short or you will be limiting suspension travel.

Regards

GTD · #**177** (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 03:21 PM

Terry
Axle limit straps are about 26" in length. I make them to 26 3/4" to approximate the 675mm originals. The fudge-factor is about an inch - within this range it will work fine.

Regarding Alfajay's mention of early cars overlapping the ends ... I'm not saying that didn't happen but I've never seen it.

The early Berlina's and TI's did use a different strap - but that's not an issue here.

John B. · #**178** (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by user459

Pat,
Your excellent pictures inspired me to get my "rear end" in gear and do the same. I am attaching before and after pics of the rear. I have a couple of questions:
Did you replace all of the bushings on the trailing arms and the triangle? Where did you get them? Also, I seem to have some issues with the limit straps. I got some from Trevor Fay in Australia, but they are shorter than my old ones. His were a bit over 24" and my old ones are closer to 30". Do you know the length of yours? And, where did you get them?

Thanks,

Terry

**Gordon Raymond** · #**179** (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 06:13 PM

Mine also came from Tony. A very slightly lighter color than the originals on my '65 Veloce, but a PERFECT fit. Absolutely no complaints.
Gordon Raymond

**pathung** · #**180** (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 08:46 PM

Hi Terry, and everyone,

To answer Terry's questions, my trailing arms had bad bushings, but rather than replace them, I swapped my old pair of arms with another set sporting good bushings. The triangle's bushings seemed fine, as was the ball-joint, so I'm re-using them.

I'm out of town at the moment, so I don't know the actual length of my rear limit straps; I'll measure them once I get home tomorrow evening. I got these from either Tony at Alfastop or ClassicAlfa in the UK.

About strengthening trailing arm brackets on the axle tubes, I had that done by my mechanic. A number of experienced Giuliettisti made the recommendation prior to my restoring the axle. It seems little added expense to have the work done considering the unpleasant shock of having one's axle left behind while going 65 mph!