[Ted 168]

My cousin from Australia sent me a Christmas present - a strut bar for the Alfa 164 (also fits Fiat Croma). It's a bit early but I am not complaining. This thing is like any other strut bar on the driver side, but on the passenger side, it is Y-shaped and attaches to the dogbone mount. I immediately see 2 problems with it:
1)the rigid fuel line is right beside the dogbone mount so needs to be adjusted for the bar to be secured. Is this possible or safe to do?
2)the vertical screw on the dogbone has to be detached first. If this is under tension, could be a problem? Is this a major job requiring the engine to be jacked up?
If this thing works, I can have more sent over here. Will keep everyone posted.
Ted
1991 164L

 

[Richard2]

The dogbone mount is easily removed. It should have only slight tension, or compression on it. The center link has right hand threads on one side ans left hand threads on the other. If you turn the link one way or the other it will lessen the tension on it enough to remove the mount bolts. The engine doesn't have to be moved at all to accomplish this.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

My cousin from Australia sent me a Christmas present - a strut bar for the Alfa 164 (also fits Fiat Croma). It's a bit early but I am not complaining. This thing is like any other strut bar on the driver side, but on the passenger side, it is Y-shaped and attaches to the dogbone mount. I immediately see 2 problems with it:
1)the rigid fuel line is right beside the dogbone mount so needs to be adjusted for the bar to be secured. Is this possible or safe to do?
2)the vertical screw on the dogbone has to be detached first. If this is under tension, could be a problem? Is this a major job requiring the engine to be jacked up?
If this thing works, I can have more sent over here. Will keep everyone posted.
Ted
1991 164L

That is the best way to mount those and should be an easy removal if needed.

Jason

 

[Ted 168]

Any advice on how to re-route or relocate the metal fuel pipe? I am afraid to bend these for fear of breaking them. Strangely I seen some 164 engine photos with the fuel line bending over the other side of the dog bone mount. Are these different for different model years?
Ted
1991 164L

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

Any advice on how to re-route or relocate the metal fuel pipe? I am afraid to bend these for fear of breaking them. Strangely I seen some 164 engine photos with the fuel line bending over the other side of the dog bone mount. Are these different for different model years?
Ted
1991 164L

92 and up had a different fuel routing. I don't suggest messing with the fuel lines.
Jason

 

[Ted 168]

Strut bar install

Talked to my mechanic and looks like there are 2 options.

1. install the fuel piping from a later model 164. As Jason pointed out, the post 92 models have a different fuel route which goes around the other side of the dogbone mount. This means I have to source the metal pipe (the easy part) and install it, which is probably impossible without pulling the rear cylinder head
2. cut the metal pipe and extend the rubber hose. This can be done using a pipe cutting and flaring tool.

I am not thrilled by either idea and now I am thinking if the cost justifies the benefit. Does the strut bar really improve handling that much? Has anyone done this to the 164? If so what’s your experience.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

Talked to my mechanic and looks like there are 2 options.

1. install the fuel piping from a later model 164. As Jason pointed out, the post 92 models have a different fuel route which goes around the other side of the dogbone mount. This means I have to source the metal pipe (the easy part) and install it, which is probably impossible without pulling the rear cylinder head
2. cut the metal pipe and extend the rubber hose. This can be done using a pipe cutting and flaring tool.

I am not thrilled by either idea and now I am thinking if the cost justifies the benefit. Does the strut bar really improve handling that much? Has anyone done this to the 164? If so what’s your experience.

Strut bars are a good product if the car has a lot of flex. I think the bar will give a bit quicker steering feel and a bit better handling as well. Most likely it will benefit from it. The 164 does suffer from a bit of flex in the chassis. Just jack it up and try opening and closing the doors.
This help reduce chassis twist. The mount is a great spot to mount the bar as well although I would do something different with the other side which I will leave secret as I will probably produce these someday here soon.

This will be an upgrade and for me at least this may be a good product I can have made rather than the sway bars which seem to be hard to make.

I have used them on other cars with good results but it is mainly there to assist in the handling not take the place of sprigs/struts and sway bars.

Jason