How great is the 156 chassis.
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the 156 / 147 / GT platform is fairly outdated platform as it goes now and Alfa no longer produce it. That went out with the GT, which was to all intense and purposes a 147 is a different dress.
They do have full independant rear suspension and double wishbone at the front which help the cars out.
It is good though. if you are able to add the full set of 3 strut braces to it and even some uprated suspension like FSDs then it is truely a great drive.
you will need ot keep on top of the suspension arm bushes though.
before long, with the damp morning coming, the top arms will squeak (just grease them up) and the bottom arms will clunk and knock, so need replacing. thats all on the front, the rears are much more hardy.
They do have full independant rear suspension and double wishbone at the front which help the cars out.
It is good though. if you are able to add the full set of 3 strut braces to it and even some uprated suspension like FSDs then it is truely a great drive.
you will need ot keep on top of the suspension arm bushes though.
before long, with the damp morning coming, the top arms will squeak (just grease them up) and the bottom arms will clunk and knock, so need replacing. thats all on the front, the rears are much more hardy.
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30,096 Posts
It's based on a Fiat Tipo platform (seriously) but with a great but fragile double wishbone front set up.
Our GT is a hybrid 156 SW floorpan, a 147 GTA front end & interior, bespoke seat and body.
Compared to the newer cars they last rigidity but as stated above, braces can help
Our GT is a hybrid 156 SW floorpan, a 147 GTA front end & interior, bespoke seat and body.
Compared to the newer cars they last rigidity but as stated above, braces can help
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77,460 Posts
Good chassis (some parts made of chocolate), good steering feel - cracking drive.
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7,036 Posts
idd. but it flexes too much, watch when you jack up the car...strutbraces do a great job
to stiffen the lot !
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4,778 Posts
Funny enough, if I jack up the rear of my SW using the proper jacking points the other side wheel also comes off the ground. That doesn't seem to indicate a flexible chassis! Could be the Eibach ARB?
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43,283 Posts
If you jack the back up can you still open the doors properly?
On my 156 (Saloon) the body flex stopped the doors closing properly when it was jacked up.
The 156 Chassis is good, but I wouldn't call it great.
It does handle well, but at the expense of ride quality. Plus the bushes can wear out quickly.
On my 156 (Saloon) the body flex stopped the doors closing properly when it was jacked up.
The 156 Chassis is good, but I wouldn't call it great.
It does handle well, but at the expense of ride quality. Plus the bushes can wear out quickly.
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4,778 Posts
Certainly can, no problems with opening doors when jacked up.
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4,778 Posts
That's a bit strong:-( Have you ever driven a Vauxhall (Opel) Vectradon't know if sitting on the opposite side of the vehicle disturbs your proper judjement
Maybe with that big diesel lump in the front of yours.don't know if sitting on the opposite side of the vehicle disturbs your proper judjement
My 1.8ts was good for its age. The steering feel is fantastic and I really mis that now I have a 159ti.
For sure the chassis was not the stiffest, the damping was crap and the bushes wore out quick. But it was still great fun and always put a smile on my face.
My new 159ti although a great car just doesn’t have the fun factor. I think this is because of its extra weight and the steering is not as quick and has less feel.
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30,063 Posts
My mate loved his 156 v6, with coilovers and a whiteline rear ARB and a front strutbrace it was a stiff firm ride and could tackle track use nicely
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43,283 Posts
Thats because you have the heavy diesel lump up front, and sportwagons didn't get sport suspension.don't know if sitting on the opposite side of the vehicle disturbs your proper judgement
A 4 cylinder petrol Veloce/sport is the best handling 156 as standard. Even if the ride is on the hard side of firm.
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43,283 Posts
Strut brace, and a set of coilovers would do for a start.allright then any ideas how to fix this without ruining the ride comfort too much?
It would be a good idea to fit new wishbones as well at the same time unless they are very new.
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