String of bad luck

[NMMilano]

After 10 years of reliablity I've run into a string of bad luck. 2 weeks ago while driving, the Milano coughed and then quit. On cranking it would fire but not start. I had it towed to my mechanic who thought the belt had jumped time. On checking the cams, all was in order and the belt was tight but after setting TDC the distributor was 180 out. The culprit? a loose distributor drive pulley..My Alfa mechanic had never seen this, has anyone else? I was lucky the belt did not skip on the cams.
So last week the clutch goes to the floor and does not return. I suspected a bad slave cylinder. While I was replacing the slave I noticed the clutch fork was loose... the pivot ball is broken off!
Now the transaxle is out ( I could not get the remains of the ball out with the trans in the car)
Is this a known failure on the Milano?

[Greg Gordon]

Yup,

That's a known failure.

Greg Gordon,
hiperformancestore.com

[Gubi]

Here's a thread on the subject:

Clutch Fork Pivot ball

[NMMilano]

Thanks for the thread. I did not feel good about leaving the ball, probably do some damage if it was somehow picked up by the clutch. Now that the transaxle is out I will do the rear rotors and CV boots

[slyalfa]

I had a lose ball floating in there for about 5 or 6 years. it would make a strange sound now and then but no damage happens. it made some tiny marks on the clutch and bell where it would sping around and around when I did the clutch. but I found out the next time I had one snap that a magnet pickup will get the ball.
the things that look like a tv antenna with a magnet on the end. just put it in there next to the fork pointing down and the ball will snap to the magnet.

[slyalfa]

and if you do have it apart it would be a good time for the uni-ball or new bushes.
also clean and regrease all 3 bearings. I poped off one cover and washed them out and put in new grease.

and it is nice and quiet now. The TB has a steel cover that can pop off. the other 2 had a rubber type of seal.