Still got the coliwobbles

jonjeffryes · #1 (**Post Link**) 10-01-10

OK guys, This time I'm really going to fix it!!!!

The car is a 1997 2.0 TS sportpak with 16" speedlines and Koni adjustables all round and has been lowered about 40mm. She,s had a pampered life and covered 68k miles......I've had a good tug on all suspension bits and cannot find anything obvious - tyres don't have any unusual wear patterns - no accident history - drives true and square (although does like to follow truck tracks on the slow lane of the motorway) and handles fantastically around the back roads.

So, problem is 75 - 82mph vibration through the steering...feels just like out of balance wheels. You don't seem to be able to drive through the vibration once it's started...unlike normal wheel wobble.

Wheels have been changed (3 sets tried), tyres have been changed (new Pirelli P Zero Neros)

New wishbones and drop links fitted

Wheels/ Tyres balance and checked for true- all ok..current wheels swapped front to back - no difference

Alignment has been reset (three times)

O/S/F driveshaft inner CV boot was torn - so DS removed and CV dismantled, cleaned/Checked/Regreased and reassembled with a new boot.

Still no better....next it's a spend fest.....

Top mount bearings have been purchased (although I've not bought the mounts...should I also change these?)
Sparco strutbrace bought ready to fit

Current thoughts on what else to change:-
Track rod ends
All 4 CV joints
Front wheel bearings
Rear suspension arm pivots
Brake pads (as a service item and whilst I check the brakes for binding)
Replacement braided brake hoses (look like the originals are still fitted)

There's also the opportunity to replace the std ARB's with Whiteline upgraded bars (at about £200) - does anyone have any views

Also is there a camber adjustment kit for the front wheels?

Is there anything else I should/could check/change...this is driving me nuts and spoiling what is otherwise a great car

Jon

PS I'm going to post the same on 155.org

Joss · #2 (**Post Link**) 11-01-10

Got the same problem with my 156. You ansewered your own question really though with torn inner cv boot. I guarantee it'll be the that the CV has worn cos it went dry. You won't get clicking like on an outer CV as they don't travel to that extreme of movement when you turn the wheel. I've regreased mine which made it better but still there after about 65mph. Is it worse when you put your foot down? If so then I'll bet money on it!

Whitelines are prefered over eibach on this forum. Asked the same question for my 155 a couple of years ago on here!

jonjeffryes · #3 (**Post Link**) 11-01-10

Originally Posted by Joss

Got the same problem with my 156. You ansewered your own question really though with torn inner cv boot. I guarantee it'll be the that the CV has worn cos it went dry. You won't get clicking like on an outer CV as they don't travel to that extreme of movement when you turn the wheel. I've regreased mine which made it better but still there after about 65mph. Is it worse when you put your foot down? If so then I'll bet money on it!

Whitelines are prefered over eibach on this forum. Asked the same question for my 155 a couple of years ago on here!

Thanks Joss,

I think you've confirmed what I had already suspected...as I have the driveshaft in bits, I'll replace inner and outer for good measure.

regards

Jon

Joss · #4 (**Post Link**) 11-01-10

Just a quick question for you Jon, Where are you getting your CV's from? as I could do with one myself!

jonjeffryes · #5 (**Post Link**) 11-01-10

Originally Posted by Joss

Just a quick question for you Jon, Where are you getting your CV's from? as I could do with one myself!

Hi joss,

Good old sleazebay....found both of these - not sure yet why there is a price differential but do plan to call them......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALFA-ROMEO-155...item1e57a073ab

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INNER-CV-JOINT...item5ad2821fe5

jonjeffryes · #6 (**Post Link**) 11-01-10

Originally Posted by jonjeffryes

Hi joss,

Good old sleazebay....found both of these - not sure yet why there is a price differential but do plan to call them......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALFA-ROMEO-155...item1e57a073ab

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INNER-CV-JOINT...item5ad2821fe5

Actually, just had a long chat with J&R (cheaper of the two on offer) went through the symptoms and he believes 110% that it is the inner joint that is causing the vibration.....he said this is especially the case on lowered cars as the driveshaft angle affects the wear rate of the bearing by applying greater pressure once the height is dropped - the changed angle also leads to a greater risk of ds boot damage.

Ideally a 30mm longer drive shaft is needed on lowered cars - he can supply them specially made at around £200...but recommended just changing the inner joint instead - after all you get 10 cv joints for that price - each one lasting at least 2yrs!

I've ordered all 4 joints (may as well at that price) and he's only charging one set of delivery charges - bargain if you ask me!

I did speak to the second company who confirmed there CV is no different from J&R's product...that'll be just more expensive then!!

Regards

Jon

jonjeffryes · #7 (**Post Link**) 11-01-10

what brilliant service.....

that's a total of £78 for 2 outer and 2 inner CV kits incl 24hr delivery...top marks to J&R for this.

Regards

Jon

Joss · #8 (**Post Link**) 12-01-10

just gave em a ring. They don't stock the 1.9 jtd 156 inner cv

why why why !!!!!

jonjeffryes · #9 (**Post Link**) 12-01-10

Bu££er....what about the other link?

jonjeffryes · #10 (**Post Link**) 13-01-10

arrived today by courier........really impressed with the quality and completeness of the cv kits. Surprisingly...the delivery arrived on time as promised but the postman didn't..too much snow

the graduate · #11 (**Post Link**) 13-01-10

Great news Jon hope you get it sorted soon

jonjeffryes · #12 (**Post Link**) 13-01-10

Originally Posted by the graduate

Great news Jon hope you get it sorted soon

Come the weekend we should have a wobble free zone...plus a few other sparkly bits to bolt on if the postman gets his finger out of his

the graduate · #13 (**Post Link**) 13-01-10

Good luck with it all mate and hope to see it and you at the world record attempt?

jonjeffryes · #14 (**Post Link**) 13-01-10

Originally Posted by the graduate

Good luck with it all mate and hope to see it and you at the world record attempt?

Hope to, if I'm in the UK

Joss · #15 (**Post Link**) 15-01-10

Na neither do 156 jtd inner cv's. Think it's cos they come with spider??? Already attached. Bugger!

jonjeffryes · #16 (**Post Link**) 15-01-10

How about trying Rusper Alfa,

Angus usually has a good stash of all manner of parts...if not i'm sure he'll know where to get them

jonjeffryes · #17 (**Post Link**) 15-01-10

Right,

Going full in tomorrow - all cv joints, strut top bearings, wiper motor rebuild, oil and filter changes (including the fuel filter..where ever that is??...then off the the local ATS to recheck the alignment...hoping for a wobble free zone,,

celadon · #18 (**Post Link**) 15-01-10

Fuel filter is under the plastic cover, under the car, drivers side rear.
Just in front of the rear wheel arch, IIRC.

Edit :-

no 2 in the pic

fuelsystem.jpg

Alfa155 TS · #19 (**Post Link**) 15-01-10

fuel filter is handy to get at, its located underneath a large plastic sheet just as described above but be careful as the bolts that hold mine on where fairly rusted and didnt feel too good when turning so go easy with them for fear of threading the thing

Joss that is a beautiful red 156 in your avatar, whats the exact model description and is all that nice wheels and skirting factory spec?

jonjeffryes · #20 (**Post Link**) 15-01-10

Thanks guys,

Going to try not to get a facefull of unleaded when I replace it!

Jon

jonjeffryes · #21 (**Post Link**) 17-01-10

Update time,

Didn't get the early start I'd hoped for but managed to change oils/filters (not the fuel yet) and strip and rebuild the o/s driveshaft. the kit is comprehensive, but for the (mine at least) 155, the replacement geabox end bolts are too short and I could not get the supplied boot clips to work....so I've commited the ultimate sin and used cable ties until I can get the beast on the ramp at Rusper Alfa.

As always, once you start delving, you find more to do.....on the list are new pads (getting skinny) new front tyres - inner edges eaten away....biggest worry is that the metalwork that the back edge of the bumper bottom bolts to, just in front of the o/s wheel is fast melting away!!!! repair required pretty soon

Second driveshaft to rebuild this pm and fuel filter to change - I'll get around to the strut bearings and wiper motor rebuild next weekend..

More later - hopefully a wobble free zone...probably asking too much!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...SCN3749web.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...5/DSCN3754.jpg

jonjeffryes · #22 (**Post Link**) 17-01-10

Ok second driveshaft rebuilt...hoping this is the daddy...inner and outer boots torn and lots of sloppiness in the outer CV.

Change time much quicker (must be getting used to these) - still had to use cable ties on the boots - going to drop in to Rusper Alfa later this week and have the proper clips installed

Fingers crossed for tomorrow - I've another 380+mile round trip...hopefully vibration free

Joss · #23 (**Post Link**) 18-01-10

Na its not factory. Some auto delta creation which never made it i think. Autods from poland do something very very similar though if you want it. JJ who is rusper Alfa? whats their number.

jonjeffryes · #24 (**Post Link**) 18-01-10

Originally Posted by Joss

Na its not factory. Some auto delta creation which never made it i think. Autods from poland do something very very similar though if you want it. JJ who is rusper Alfa? whats their number.

My local tame alfa indi'

T: 01293 871155
E: info@rusperalfaromeo.com
W: www.rusperalfaromeo.com

Angus is the man - if he hasn't got it, he'll know where to get it, I bet

Jon

Joss · #25 (**Post Link**) 18-01-10

Cheers jon,

you are a star.

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