RE: [alfa] Rear axle noise on high(est) mileage GTV6

["Jeff Greenfield" <alfaguy@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well, that was the first thing that came to mind.

It is pretty unusual for the CV joints or halfshafts to wear out, but I
suppose with the kind of mileage that you've got on the car anything is
possible as you are kind of in un-chartered territory.

There is also a carrier bearing for the stub-axle at the transaxle. Could be
those ...

Only other thing that I've seen once that took me forever to find, was a
lose race for the pinion bearing in the differential housing. Caused a high
pitched whine that changed with speed as I recall. Never saw it again, so I
don't know if this was a rare one-time occurrence or just that I haven't
seen or heard of any other failures of this nature.

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: B.D. Zelazny [mailto:bdz@domain.elided]
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 9:45 PM
To: Jeff Greenfield
Cc: 'Alfa Digest'
Subject: Re: [alfa] Rear axle noise on high(est) mileage GTV6

Thanks for the advise, Jeff, but it's definitely not the wheel bearings -
BTDT many,
many times (more accurately, my Alfa specialist has). Don't feel bad, you're
the second
reply indicating such.

It's the "short shafts" or "half-shafts" worn out from all my hard
cornerin'. My
specialist replaced 'em w/used ones years ago (at about 300k) and it made it
better,
for a while. Since then, they've gotten worse. Now I want to REALLY fix 'em.

'nardo
driver, NOT a mechanic

'83 GTV6 w/420k+ (s)miles
TX LP: 3M ZTA3

Jeff Greenfield wrote:

> Most likely the rear wheel bearings. They are not terribly long lived ...
> back in the days when these cars were (relatively) new, I could count on
> them coming into the shop at 40,000 miles for a water pump and rear wheel
> bearings.
>
> Replacement is not too difficult, provided you have the proper tools and
> things aren't too rusty. In the proper tools department, you need the
> special socket for the bearing retainers, a very large air impact wrench,
> and either the special alfa tool for removing/installing the bearings.
Also,
> oxy-acetylene torches will help greatly most times.
>
> Wheel bearings should be readily available from any of your favorite Alfa
> parts suppliers, or locally through any better parts stores that know
> European stuff. The bearings fit many other applications (VW/Audi/Saab,
> etc).
>
> You will also need replacement retainers.
>
> HTH,
>
> Jeff
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided] On Behalf Of
B.D.
> Zelazny
> Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 7:12 PM
> To: Alfa Digest
> Subject: [alfa] Rear axle noise on high(est) mileage GTV6
>
> Happy holidays to all!!
>
> My '83 GTV6 has a "cyclical" noise in the rear wheel areas on whichever
side
> that's
> takin' the load when I corner - the faster I corner, the louder it gets.
> I've never
> seen/heard of another GTV6 w/this problem, but then how many GTV6s are
there
> with 420k
> (s)miles on them? I believe the noise is caused by the worn splined short
> shafts and
> the female receptacle (for use of a better term) they mate with to drive
the
> rear wheels.
>
> Can this be repaired or would they need to be replaced?
>
> If they can be repaired, how?
>
> If they need to be replaced is there a source for either new or very low
> mileage
> components to replace the worn ones with?
>
> Grazie in avanzamento,
> 'nardo - Alpine, TX
> 83 GTV6 - currently being repaired in Austin, TX
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