Steering column adjustment

[Sevendriver]

Hi! I'm new in this forum, which I find fantastic! I'm from Buenos Aires Argentina where I've recently purchased a 75 V6 2,5L Q 1987 Rosso Alfa 555, promptly campaigned in local Solo Courses with fair success.
In fact is my fifth Alfa and second 75 (1,6L fully loaded with options was the first).
I found in both cars that the steering column, won't adjust for rake, when it is supposed to do so. No problems with the tilt adjustment though. Any ideas of what is going on?, perhaps a timely advice would prevent occasional damage of silly force applied!

Regards, Sevendriver.

Alfa Romeo 75 Quadrifoglio Verde 2,5 V6 1987
Lotus Seven racer (Fiat Twin Cam power)
Crespi Tulieta GT Coupé 1977 (Got a few puzzled with this!)

[Gubi]

Welcome to the BB.

There are apparently two steering wheel setups for the 75. One is adjustable for tilt and reach, and the other is adjustable for tilt only. My guess is that you've got the second setup.

You can download the service manuals with pictures of the two setups at Craig's site. Group 23 is steering.

Craig's Place, Alfa 75 Manuals and Information

[Craig]

G'Day (insert name here),

Once you download Group 23, look at page 4. Bolt 16 has probably been over tightened, it needs to be firm but still allow the column to slide.

[Sevendriver]

Thank you both, it's amazing what a serious forum can make for the amateur Alfista!

You can imagine I'm trying to improve the '75 driving position, nevertheless I'll take care if my car is not equipped with the rake adjustment (Seems improbable as it was the highest spec available at the time).

I've been wondering if I can fit 195/60-15 tyres as I have a spare set of late-spec 15'' x 6'' alloys and those are the tyres I´ve got around. I think is ok for the rear wheelarches but I'm afraid of the front ones as it's not as generous.

Anyone has ever tried the 195/60-15 in a 75/Milano?

Regards,

Sevendriver

[Rookie ROX]

195/60/15s are 25mm (tad more than an inch) taller than the stock wheels. It's going to cause quite a noticeable variance in your speedometer reading (read about 3mph or 5km/h higher).

I was running that size for a while (it's what the car came with when I bought it) and notice scrubbing under full lock and heavy loads. I'd be more inclined to run a 205/50/15 or 195/55/15s.

ROCK ON
R~R

[Sevendriver]

Thank you R-R! It's what I supposed. Anyway I'm going for them. I have them for free! And still have the original mount (195/60-14) to use whereever loaded. Speedometer reading is not an issue, 'cause we're in Argentina!

regards,

Sevendriver

Alfa Romeo 75 Quadrifoglio Verde 2,5 V6 1987
Lotus Seven racer (Fiat Twin Cam power)
Crespi Tulieta GT Coupé 1977 (Got a few puzzled with this!)

[Sevendriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig G'Day (insert name here), Once you download Group 23, look at page 4. Bolt 16 has probably been over tightened, it needs to be firm but still allow the column to slide.

[Craig]

About half way down the column there should be a big nut, loosen that a little.

[Craig]

This is the one:

[Sevendriver]

Greg, do you mean the big one holding the spline in place (Makes a lot of sense, but I never thought as it being Bolt 16) or the smaller just visible in the background that keeps the bolt through the sliding aluminium part in place?

Thanks a lot again.

[Craig]

The big one clamping the spline. Too loose and the column can rattle, too tight and it can't slide.

[Sevendriver]

Craig, great help! I'll adjust the column for reach and then re-tight it back to avoid rattles. Anyway it's a one-driver car, and that's all the fun!

Thank you very much!

Sevendriver


Alfa Romeo 75 Quadrifoglio Verde 2,5 V6 1987
Lotus Seven racer (Fiat Twin Cam power)
Crespi Tulieta GT Coupé 1977 (Got a few puzzled with this!)