147 52 Plate

Make sure the cambelt variator has been changed, at the 36k service
with the belt.
Alfa has changed the schedule from 72K to 36K, and the variator is not
always changed for a matter of pounds.
The 60K service has all the plugs changed, around £100 for parts.
Check all the suspension bushes, brake disks and pads for wear.
Otherwise check all the normal items, all switches etc work
Mike
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

di9it8 <me.ideas.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote:
Make sure the cambelt variator has been changed, at the 36k service
>with the belt.
>Alfa has changed the schedule from 72K to 36K, and the variator is not
>always changed for a matter of pounds.

I was charged around £800 for main dealer 48k service and belts change,
including the variator. Found an independant alfa specialist after that one.
Who expressed some surprise when told the price, especially as it's
a 1.6 engine so no balance shaft and belt...

>The 60K service has all the plugs changed, around £100 for parts.
>Check all the suspension bushes, brake disks and pads for wear.
>Otherwise check all the normal items, all switches etc work

Suspension bushes on mine (at 50k now) were noisy... after a 500
mile round trip this weekend there's now enough play to be affecting
the steering

Booked in to an independant on Thursday, to see
what's what! At least the play is so huge now it should be easy to
spot where it is. Front left upper arm, I suspect...

So, should I suggest / insist on powerflex bushes? If just a
replacement upper arm, should both sides be done at the
same time? At 50k miles, is it likely that upper, lower, and
antiroll-bar bushes all need replacement?

dom.
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

Dominic wrote:
> di9it8 <me.ideas DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
> Make sure the cambelt variator has been changed, at the 36k service
>> with the belt.
>> Alfa has changed the schedule from 72K to 36K, and the variator is
>> not always changed for a matter of pounds.
>
> I was charged around £800 for main dealer 48k service and belts
> change, including the variator. Found an independant alfa specialist
> after that one. Who expressed some surprise when told the price,
> especially as it's
> a 1.6 engine so no balance shaft and belt...
>
>> The 60K service has all the plugs changed, around £100 for parts.
>> Check all the suspension bushes, brake disks and pads for wear.
>> Otherwise check all the normal items, all switches etc work
>
> Suspension bushes on mine (at 50k now) were noisy... after a 500
> mile round trip this weekend there's now enough play to be affecting
> the steering
>
> Booked in to an independant on Thursday, to see
> what's what! At least the play is so huge now it should be easy to
> spot where it is. Front left upper arm, I suspect...
>
> So, should I suggest / insist on powerflex bushes? If just a
> replacement upper arm, should both sides be done at the
> same time? At 50k miles, is it likely that upper, lower, and
> antiroll-bar bushes all need replacement?
>
> dom.

I've got (orange) poweflex bushes all round - they need lubing every now and
then to stop them squeaking (garage job).....
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

" cupra" <NOcupra.sSPAM.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote:
>Dominic wrote:
>> Suspension bushes on mine (at 50k now) were noisy... after a 500
>> mile round trip this weekend there's now enough play to be affecting
>> the steering
>>
>> Booked in to an independant on Thursday, to see
>> what's what! At least the play is so huge now it should be easy to
>> spot where it is. Front left upper arm, I suspect...
>>
>> So, should I suggest / insist on powerflex bushes? If just a
>> replacement upper arm, should both sides be done at the
>> same time? At 50k miles, is it likely that upper, lower, and
>> antiroll-bar bushes all need replacement?
>>
>> dom.
>
>I've got (orange) poweflex bushes all round - they need lubing every now and
>then to stop them squeaking (garage job).....

Garage didn't like to fit powerflex bushes; reckoned it was a
really long job.

Cost £187 for front left upper strut and left roll bar drop link.

Trouble is, now there's no play at all on the left (on the
grabbing the top of the wheel and giving it a good hard
push/pull test), but now can feel the slight play on the right
hand side. Have to wait till my girlfriend has forgotton
how much the left one cost before I get the right hand
side done! Ah well, it's not noisy yet, hopefully it'll
last a while.

Courtesy car was an older 156. It seemed very similar to
the 147 to drive. Except no ASR .

dom.

p.s. I'm told my work colleague's (11yo) daughter said
she thought my car was cool. Because of the front
number plate not being in the middle! Ah well.
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

"Dominic" <news.DeleteThis@eriador.demon.co.uk> schreef in bericht
news:part1of1.1.8MXu5I7Lg0dodA@ue.ph...
> p.s. I'm told my work colleague's (11yo) daughter said
> she thought my car was cool. Because of the front
> number plate not being in the middle! Ah well.
>
When I was 11yo, I thought it was cool the Golf GTI's with the rear license
plate not in the middle, but under the bumper. But when I was 11yo..., wait,
was there already the Golf GTI?
<googled> yes, but in my small village they only appeared later as used
examples.
When I was 11yo I saw an Alfasud and liked it. When I was 18 I bought one,
Now I'm 40 and still have one. I'm not old, my Alfasud is old and still
looks good. I want to be an Alfasud. Too much beer, good night.
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

Dominic wrote:
> " cupra" <NOcupra.sSPAM.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Dominic wrote:
>>> Suspension bushes on mine (at 50k now) were noisy... after a 500
>>> mile round trip this weekend there's now enough play to be affecting
>>> the steering
>>>
>>> Booked in to an independant on Thursday, to see
>>> what's what! At least the play is so huge now it should be easy to
>>> spot where it is. Front left upper arm, I suspect...
>>>
>>> So, should I suggest / insist on powerflex bushes? If just a
>>> replacement upper arm, should both sides be done at the
>>> same time? At 50k miles, is it likely that upper, lower, and
>>> antiroll-bar bushes all need replacement?
>>>
>>> dom.
>>
>> I've got (orange) poweflex bushes all round - they need lubing every
>> now and then to stop them squeaking (garage job).....
>
> Garage didn't like to fit powerflex bushes; reckoned it was a
> really long job.

ISTR they split it over 2 days for mine, but that was bushes all round and
they'd never fitted them before....

>
> Cost £187 for front left upper strut and left roll bar drop link.
>

Fitted + parts?

> Trouble is, now there's no play at all on the left (on the
> grabbing the top of the wheel and giving it a good hard
> push/pull test), but now can feel the slight play on the right
> hand side. Have to wait till my girlfriend has forgotton
> how much the left one cost before I get the right hand
> side done! Ah well, it's not noisy yet, hopefully it'll
> last a while.
>

You'll probably get the knackered bush squeak soon!

> Courtesy car was an older 156. It seemed very similar to
> the 147 to drive. Except no ASR .
>
> dom.
>
> p.s. I'm told my work colleague's (11yo) daughter said
> she thought my car was cool. Because of the front
> number plate not being in the middle! Ah well.

lol
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

Dominic wrote:
> " cupra" <NOcupra.sSPAM.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Dominic wrote:
>>> Suspension bushes on mine (at 50k now) were noisy... after a 500
>>> mile round trip this weekend there's now enough play to be affecting
>>> the steering
>>>
>>> Booked in to an independant on Thursday, to see
>>> what's what! At least the play is so huge now it should be easy to
>>> spot where it is. Front left upper arm, I suspect...
>>>
>>> So, should I suggest / insist on powerflex bushes? If just a
>>> replacement upper arm, should both sides be done at the
>>> same time? At 50k miles, is it likely that upper, lower, and
>>> antiroll-bar bushes all need replacement?
>>>
>>> dom.
>> I've got (orange) poweflex bushes all round - they need lubing every now and
>> then to stop them squeaking (garage job).....
>
> Garage didn't like to fit powerflex bushes; reckoned it was a
> really long job.

Dunno about that, but Jamie Porter says they are useless anyway. And if
it's not good enough for him.....




--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 156 TS 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

Catman wrote:
> Dominic wrote:
>> " cupra" <NOcupra.sSPAM.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Dominic wrote:
>>>> Suspension bushes on mine (at 50k now) were noisy... after a 500
>>>> mile round trip this weekend there's now enough play to be
>>>> affecting the steering
>>>>
>>>> Booked in to an independant on Thursday, to see
>>>> what's what! At least the play is so huge now it should be easy to
>>>> spot where it is. Front left upper arm, I suspect...
>>>>
>>>> So, should I suggest / insist on powerflex bushes? If just a
>>>> replacement upper arm, should both sides be done at the
>>>> same time? At 50k miles, is it likely that upper, lower, and
>>>> antiroll-bar bushes all need replacement?
>>>>
>>>> dom.
>>> I've got (orange) poweflex bushes all round - they need lubing
>>> every now and then to stop them squeaking (garage job).....
>>
>> Garage didn't like to fit powerflex bushes; reckoned it was a
>> really long job.
>
> Dunno about that, but Jamie Porter says they are useless anyway. And
> if it's not good enough for him.....

Mine made a difference - they just need lubricating every few weeks!
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

cupra wrote:
> Catman wrote:
>> Dominic wrote:
>>> " cupra" <NOcupra.sSPAM.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Dominic wrote:
>>>>> Suspension bushes on mine (at 50k now) were noisy... after a 500
>>>>> mile round trip this weekend there's now enough play to be
>>>>> affecting the steering
>>>>>
>>>>> Booked in to an independant on Thursday, to see
>>>>> what's what! At least the play is so huge now it should be easy to
>>>>> spot where it is. Front left upper arm, I suspect...
>>>>>
>>>>> So, should I suggest / insist on powerflex bushes? If just a
>>>>> replacement upper arm, should both sides be done at the
>>>>> same time? At 50k miles, is it likely that upper, lower, and
>>>>> antiroll-bar bushes all need replacement?
>>>>>
>>>>> dom.
>>>> I've got (orange) poweflex bushes all round - they need lubing
>>>> every now and then to stop them squeaking (garage job).....
>>> Garage didn't like to fit powerflex bushes; reckoned it was a
>>> really long job.
>> Dunno about that, but Jamie Porter says they are useless anyway. And
>> if it's not good enough for him.....
>
> Mine made a difference - they just need lubricating every few weeks!

New OEM ones would have made a difference as well......


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 156 TS 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

Catman wrote:
> cupra wrote:
>> Catman wrote:
>>> Dominic wrote:
>>>> " cupra" <NOcupra.sSPAM DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Dominic wrote:
>>>>>> Suspension bushes on mine (at 50k now) were noisy... after a 500
>>>>>> mile round trip this weekend there's now enough play to be
>>>>>> affecting the steering
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Booked in to an independant on Thursday, to see
>>>>>> what's what! At least the play is so huge now it should be easy
>>>>>> to spot where it is. Front left upper arm, I suspect...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So, should I suggest / insist on powerflex bushes? If just a
>>>>>> replacement upper arm, should both sides be done at the
>>>>>> same time? At 50k miles, is it likely that upper, lower, and
>>>>>> antiroll-bar bushes all need replacement?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> dom.
>>>>> I've got (orange) poweflex bushes all round - they need lubing
>>>>> every now and then to stop them squeaking (garage job).....
>>>> Garage didn't like to fit powerflex bushes; reckoned it was a
>>>> really long job.
>>> Dunno about that, but Jamie Porter says they are useless anyway. And
>>> if it's not good enough for him.....
>>
>> Mine made a difference - they just need lubricating every few weeks!
>
> New OEM ones would have made a difference as well......

They would - they had to be changed yearly on the rears though so I decided
to try a longer lasting solution...
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

" cupra" <NOcupra.sSPAM.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote:
>Dominic wrote:
>> " cupra" <NOcupra.sSPAM.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> I've got (orange) poweflex bushes all round - they need lubing every
>>> now and then to stop them squeaking (garage job).....
>>
>> Garage didn't like to fit powerflex bushes; reckoned it was a
>> really long job.
>
>ISTR they split it over 2 days for mine, but that was bushes all round and
>they'd never fitted them before....
>

Guess you'd have to do all if you were doing any? Certainly have
to do matching ones both sides anyway.

>>
>> Cost £187 for front left upper strut and left roll bar drop link.
>>
>
>Fitted + parts?

Fitted + parts, yep. Parts costing rather more than they seem
to online, but as I have no inclination to DIY it, that's the way
it is.

>
>> Trouble is, now there's no play at all on the left (on the
>> grabbing the top of the wheel and giving it a good hard
>> push/pull test), but now can feel the slight play on the right
>> hand side. Have to wait till my girlfriend has forgotton
>> how much the left one cost before I get the right hand
>> side done! Ah well, it's not noisy yet, hopefully it'll
>> last a while.
>>
>
>You'll probably get the knackered bush squeak soon!

Heard it once or twice, but only when provoked
over potholes... Anyway, now the left is fixed, I can go
back to driving like a mad eejit (when the mood takes
me) without sounding like a wheel's about to drop
off!

dom.
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate 

Dominic wrote:
> " cupra" <NOcupra.sSPAM DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>> Dominic wrote:
>>> " cupra" <NOcupra.sSPAM DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I've got (orange) poweflex bushes all round - they need lubing
>>>> every now and then to stop them squeaking (garage job).....
>>>
>>> Garage didn't like to fit powerflex bushes; reckoned it was a
>>> really long job.
>>
>> ISTR they split it over 2 days for mine, but that was bushes all
>> round and they'd never fitted them before....
>>
>
> Guess you'd have to do all if you were doing any? Certainly have
> to do matching ones both sides anyway.
>

Mine was front and back.....

>>>
>>> Cost £187 for front left upper strut and left roll bar drop link.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Fitted + parts?
>
> Fitted + parts, yep. Parts costing rather more than they seem
> to online, but as I have no inclination to DIY it, that's the way
> it is.
>

Quite a lot more than I paid I think - I wouldn't DIY it either!

>>
>>> Trouble is, now there's no play at all on the left (on the
>>> grabbing the top of the wheel and giving it a good hard
>>> push/pull test), but now can feel the slight play on the right
>>> hand side. Have to wait till my girlfriend has forgotton
>>> how much the left one cost before I get the right hand
>>> side done! Ah well, it's not noisy yet, hopefully it'll
>>> last a while.
>>>
>>
>> You'll probably get the knackered bush squeak soon!
>
> Heard it once or twice, but only when provoked
> over potholes... Anyway, now the left is fixed, I can go
> back to driving like a mad eejit (when the mood takes
> me) without sounding like a wheel's about to drop
> off!

Lol - yep, it would have got worse (evolves to a horrifying cunching sound!)
 >> Stay informed about: 147 52 Plate