Driveline Center support

[Steve Brown]

I believe that my driveline center support needs to be replaced. I have a 91 Alfa Spider Veloce. Any ideas on how difficult this is to do? If an Alfa shop was to repair it how many hours would be reasonable?
Thanks
Steve

[Roadtrip]

Steve - Do a search on the BB. There are several threads that answer that very question. In short, it's not hard, but you have to keep the orientation of the driveshaft the same when you reinstall.

[alfaloco]

Stve- just curious. What symptoms make you believe the center bearing needs to be replaced? Vibration? Noise? Both?

[Steve Brown]

Primarily a chattering when taking off under a load ie as when you are on a hill.
Steve

[conedriver]

Steve,

Please document whatever you do to your '91 spider. I have one also, and it is just starting to display a similar symptom at 42,000 miles (chattering or vibrating when starting). My initial thought was a loose universal joint. I will crawl under the Silver '91 when the season is over for the red '76 Spider, and maybe will find an "assignable cause" (that's quality assurance talk...).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Brown Primarily a chattering when taking off under a load ie as when you are on a hill. Steve

[Paradiso]

Have you checked the transmission mount bushing? That's the most likely cause.

[alfaloco]

My '91 Spider developed a shudder on initial takeoff at about the same mileage, 40K plus. I checked the transmission mount, and it seemed soft and overly pliable, allowing too much vertical movement. I compared the "feel" of the rubber bushing with a new molded piece, and decided to change it out. When I dropped the driveshaft, I checked the u-joint also and it was very floppy in both axes, so I replaced it also. So, I cannot say which fix cured the problem, but it was gone. The car has the original center support bearing now with over 58K miles, including autocross standing starts.

For this reason, I asked about the symptoms. Both the u-joint and the transmission mount are easier to replace than the center support bearing. Frankly, if any roller or ball bearing in use feels smooth in rotation, rolls evenly, and lacks any free play and noise, I would leave it alone!

If you pull the driveshaft, be certain to mark all sections in exact relation to each other because it is a balanced assembly! Mark the u-joint flanges and the splined end also. Lube the spline moderately at the grease fitting, but don't overdo it.

Dave Jarman