Open Evening @ All Things Alfa

Roswell · #1 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

I popped in to see Ed & Rob at All Things Alfa this afternoon and during our conversation we discussed the possibility of an open evening sometime in the near future.

I said I’d consult with my fellow north east members and go from there.

So, is this something you would like to see happen and be interested in attending?

imh77 · #2 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Sounds good, I'd be up for that especially after reading the threads on peoples opinions on all things alfa, I take it we could buy on the spot for bits etc?

Bri · #3 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Yes & yes.

hebburn_gtv · #4 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

could be useful

raven69 · #5 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

exellent idea

Pud237 · #6 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Sounds good, maybe we could have the next AONE monthly meet there? Bring some cans of coke or something

ATA · #7 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Would be more than happy for all AONE monthly meets to be there if you like, Roswell will attest to my ability to talk endlessly about anything car related

Bits available on the spot (if we have them) can pay on card too if needed. We may even throw in some freebies if it's just little bits etc....

Would be more than happy to talk about any problems, and offer advice on "how to" if you're happy with the spanners and fancy the DIY approach.

Barbeque is primed and ready, not sure if beers would be a good idea as most will be driving?!

Anyone got a scalextric? Could be fun?

Ed

alfacool · #8 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

I would come,

We could have look around,
give the guys chance to meet us lot and give us a discount card.

Maybe see some of there engine rebuilds.
How about a BBQ, ?
We could bring our own meat and cans of .......
After all the summer is coming.

EDIT
Just read Eds above post. done while i was typing

vespa t5 · #9 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Depending on dates .......Cracking idea Gents

Quadcamboy · #10 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Er, what is all things alfa?

SimonT · #11 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Originally Posted by Quadcamboy

Er, what is all things alfa?

Er, see post 3 above yours ...

Pud237 · #12 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Ed - sounds great. I'm up for bringing some meat, a few tinnys and a bottle of lemonade

While you're here - a bit of advice please

I've got a torn boot on the O/S/F driveshaft, not the outer boot (CV joint) but the other one, the one thats almost underneath the engine. Is it just covering the sliding part of the driveshaft, so it can adjust its length for when the wheel moves up and down? Do you know if this is an MOT failure or not and what sort of a job it is to change it? Would you dismantle the suspension and take out the driveshaft with the hub attached, or dismantle the hub/wheel bearing assembly and leave as much of the suspension alone as possible? Just thought I'd get a professional opinion first, may end up farming the job out as its not one I fancy tackling myself, I don't know if I'd dare mess around with the transmission..

bacon · #13 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Excellent idea. Id be up for that like.

dxechick · #14 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Sounds like a fine idea

ATA · #15 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Originally Posted by Pud237

Ed - sounds great. I'm up for bringing some meat, a few tinnys and a bottle of lemonade

While you're here - a bit of advice please

I've got a torn boot on the O/S/F driveshaft, not the outer boot (CV joint) but the other one, the one thats almost underneath the engine. Is it just covering the sliding part of the driveshaft, so it can adjust its length for when the wheel moves up and down? Do you know if this is an MOT failure or not and what sort of a job it is to change it? Would you dismantle the suspension and take out the driveshaft with the hub attached, or dismantle the hub/wheel bearing assembly and leave as much of the suspension alone as possible? Just thought I'd get a professional opinion first, may end up farming the job out as its not one I fancy tackling myself, I don't know if I'd dare mess around with the transmission..

As far as I'm aware (bearing in mind I'm not an MOT tester) any kind of split leak or tear on a CV boot inner or outer is an MOT fail. Not a massive job to change though and parts are cheap.

You would need to remove the 6 bolts from the output shaft to the inside of the driveshaft (you should only need a 6mm allen attachment to do this although they will be TIGHT!), remove the top bolt where the hub mounts to the strut and slacken the bottom one (not all the way). Pull the hub back to move the driveshaft away. You would then need to prize off the back cover off the CV joint housing to get to the circlip that holds the shaft into the CV joint. The joint should then slide off and you can replace the boot. Doing the same steps in reverse should see it all back together.

Depending on how handy you are, what tools you have, and how awkward your car decides to be it shouldn't take more than a few hours to do.

It may sound daunting but it's not too bad a job in all fairness

ATA · #16 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

Originally Posted by alfacool

I would come,
We could have look around,
give the guys chance to meet us lot and give us a discount card.
Maybe see some of there engine rebuilds.
How about a BBQ, ?
We could bring our own meat and cans of .......
After all the summer is coming.

EDIT
Just read Eds above post. done while i was typing

Hopefully you won't see any of our engine rebuilds, we're yet to have one come back. If you really wanted to we could build something up whilst you're there but it'll be boring to watch, we could at least talk anyone who's interested through the process and maybe give a few demos?

Pud237 · #17 (**Post Link**) 14-04-09

I have a pit in the garage and most tools, plus a retired RAF motor engineer (grandad

) who helps out massively with the engineering side of things, mostly freeing up stuff thats seized and talking me through the jobs.. That being said, what would you quote to do the job? As I've got rear shocks and springs to replace, front brakes to replace, oil cooler to fit, a knocking from the front suspension or top-mount to investigate and the underside to clean up, paint and re-underseal. Then a general inspection as MOT is due in a few months. Thats going to satisfy my tinkering urges for a long time!

Regarding demos, I'd certainly be interested in seeing what you do, or at least a talk through of the process.. See what everyone else thinks as well though, I might be the only one interested. Anyway, I'm more than happy just to have a socialise and a bit of grub

ATA · #18 (**Post Link**) 15-04-09

Originally Posted by Pud237

I have a pit in the garage and most tools, plus a retired RAF motor engineer (grandad ) who helps out massively with the engineering side of things, mostly freeing up stuff thats seized and talking me through the jobs.. That being said, what would you quote to do the job? As I've got rear shocks and springs to replace, front brakes to replace, oil cooler to fit, a knocking from the front suspension or top-mount to investigate and the underside to clean up, paint and re-underseal. Then a general inspection as MOT is due in a few months. Thats going to satisfy my tinkering urges for a long time!

Regarding demos, I'd certainly be interested in seeing what you do, or at least a talk through of the process.. See what everyone else thinks as well though, I might be the only one interested. Anyway, I'm more than happy just to have a socialise and a bit of grub

It would probably be quicker and easier to replace the shaft as a whole unit, we have several second hand ones here. We could do the job for £100 including the shaft. I was in GTV mode with my explaination before, there is only 1 bolt to remove on the 156, the one that goes to the top wishbone, sorry.

PANIC · #19 (**Post Link**) 15-04-09

sound idea!!

steveisfrowning · #20 (**Post Link**) 15-04-09

this sounds like a great idea - and if I follow the lads I might even find the place

Pud237 · #21 (**Post Link**) 16-04-09

Originally Posted by All Things Alfa

It would probably be quicker and easier to replace the shaft as a whole unit, we have several second hand ones here. We could do the job for £100 including the shaft. I was in GTV mode with my explaination before, there is only 1 bolt to remove on the 156, the one that goes to the top wishbone, sorry.

Sounds good, I think I'll take you up on that

About replacing the shaft, do you mean the whole thing from the back of the hub to the gearbox?

andrew77f · #22 (**Post Link**) 16-04-09

i'd be up for it too, still got a hole in bumper though of that bloody bird so not looking my best.

ATA · #23 (**Post Link**) 16-04-09

Originally Posted by Pud237

Sounds good, I think I'll take you up on that

About replacing the shaft, do you mean the whole thing from the back of the hub to the gearbox?

Yeah, should be quicker and easier to do it that way. When would you like the work doing? Am guessing you're not in any desperate hurry if MOTs not due yet?