Brera Turning

[rag13]

Have any of you Brera owners experianced at full turning lock, what I can only describe as major understear at very low speeds (i.e. manouvering in and out of parking spaces etc.)

The front tyres seem to loose grip and judder, causeing a horrible grinding noise as the tyres scrape accross the road remember this is only at next to know speed. There are no apparent mechanical problems, I just wonder if it might be the chamber or stearing rack set up.

Any thoughts are welcom....

[Steve PL]

Yes - I get the same (I've had my Brera for 4 months). I've never experienced it on my previous Alfas (156's, 159). I wondered whether it might be down to the bigger wheels on the S.

[rag13]

It could be setup is incorrect for the 19" alloys on the S

[Nev]

Do you have Q4?

[rag13]

Nope I think its the Q2 diff installed on the 2.2 JTS Brera S

[Nev]

Nah, Q2 wasn't available for the Brera, I thought.

Get you steering rack checked out as these seem
to be a bit flimsy on the ol Brera.

[Andy Waine]

Mine does the same even having changed the front tyres.
Only does it when it's cold ie first thing in a moning.

[grande spud]

And mine!!
Very low speeds + full lock = lots of scrubbing noise and feel
I though it was a characteristic of the steering/suspension set up, but after reading threads on steering racks giving up, I've added it to the list of items to be checked at my visit to Mango's next week.
Nearly out of waranty, so better get it sorted just in case!

[grande spud]

Originally Posted by rag13

It could be setup is incorrect for the 19" alloys on the S

Forgot to add - I've got 18's, so I dont think it's a wheel/tyre size issue

[abzlog]

I get it as well. First noticed it at low temperatures in a multi storey car park where the turns up the ramps were tight. Couldn't understand it as the tyres had not long been checked.

[AlfaRomeo.D.E.T]

Hi guys ive noiticed this fault myself and havent yet found the cause of this, i think its just guna be the way the camber and tracking is, which i think is normal, ive done all the checks, tyres , rack, e.t.c ............

Dont worry about it for now as ive been in touch with are Technical departmant and there looking into this, right now there not aware for the reason for this..... ill get back to you ASAP when i get some news on this

[jbsmith1]

sounds like the Ackermann geometry

[SGould]

I've noticed this as well, but just put it down to the ice and snow recently. abzlog - is yours a black Brera S? I've seen two going around the Aberdeen area. How are you enjoying it?

[..dan..]

My GT was like this in Car Parks. I've always put it down to that sort of funny painted surface they seem to like using now.

[abzlog]

Hi SGould. Yes, it's a black S. If you've seen it in the Altens / Ferryhill / West End areas that could be me. I have seen another black S down at Tullos, and a grey (think it is) S up at Altens. Really like my Brera. Had a 147 before, and love the Brera a lot more.

[SGould]

Originally Posted by abzlog

Hi SGould. Yes, it's a black S. If you've seen it in the Altens / Ferryhill / West End areas that could be me. I have seen another black S down at Tullos, and a grey (think it is) S up at Altens. Really like my Brera. Had a 147 before, and love the Brera a lot more.

Same here, I'm enjoying the trade up. Off topic, I know, but dinomito on the North Scotland register is trying to organise a meet and drive in the middle of Feb if you fancy it - details on the AONS bit of the Scottish section.

[sptsilik]

I have 17 inch and does the same thing. It gets worse when the road is wet.
I went to Alfa romeo yesterday and they told me it's normal because tires are wide.

[ukmike2008]

Originally Posted by jbsmith1

sounds like the Ackermann geometry

You took the words right out of my mouth JB

[jbsmith1]

Originally Posted by ukmike2008

you took the words right out of my mouth jb

:d yep nothing to worry about, "they all do that sir"

[kandrewsntl]

Originally Posted by jbsmith1

sounds like the Ackermann geometry

Corr i haven't heard that phrase for a few years, his theory lives on!!!!

[kandrewsntl]

I had an Audi A4 Cabriolet with 235's on and this also was very bad for this problem. Had a set of narrower 'slave' wheels and tyres put on once and all the noises stopped. So definately a combo of geometry and tyre width in my opinion.

[Morte]

Originally Posted by sptsilik

I have 17 inch and does the same thing. It gets worse when the road is wet.
I went to Alfa romeo yesterday and they told me it's normal because tires are wide.

What a terrible answer. Have anyone got one that doesn't do this?

[Minty1966]

Originally Posted by grande spud

Forgot to add - I've got 18's, so I dont think it's a wheel/tyre size issue

Mine does this also and I only have 17" wheels

[thezapper]

Well... long story I might say. This happend to me as well.
When the weather was cold the steering did crumble when at full lock. Also, the steering pump was making this whining noise and getting louder.
So I took the car to my trusty mechanic. With his help and reading all the forum information I could find I ended up changing the whole system.

Apparently, the earlier Breras had the steering system designed with a red/pinkish steering fluid in mind. But that one get's too viscous at lower temperatures and they changed it with a green fluid. But they forgot to mention that everything had changed in order to change the fluid. So I changed the fluid and the reservoir (because it was spilling everything out). Then the pump blew up and changed that. After that we just lifted the car on an elevator and the steering rack blew on one side with all the fluid spilling out of control.
Crap...
After a few hundred euros (AR did not consider this a warranty issue) and a few weeks waiting for parts I practically changed the entire system.
I can't say this is the same issue you all have.
BUT after changing everything the steering works perfect... No more noises whatsoever, no more tire scrape, no more whining and the steering is precise and smooth.

PS: Also, you should know I have the 19" TI wheels on.

[philjml]

My Brera S does it too. I thought it might be the CV joints being pushed to their limit.
Phil