Re: "Bang" when shifting 4th to 5th at high rpm

[Simon Favre <simon@domain.elided>]

I think the most likely suspects are the tranny support bushing, or the
rubber doughnut (Giubo). A torn doughnut can cause all sorts of nasty
things to happen. The support bushing is less likely to cause something
catastrophic. I don't know of a good shop in your area. If you have it
worked on by a non-Alfa person, tell them that the steel band around the
new doughnut gets removed only AFTER it has been installed in the car.
If it's the tranny support bushing, that gets installed with the large
hole on top. The outer part moves down under the weight of the tranny,
making the middle part centered. When the rubber goes, the tranny sits 
all the way down on the crossmember and makes noise.

Martin Mathis wrote:

>Hi, this is my first post to this digest. I got my first ever Alfa a few
>weeks ago, a 1992 Spider Veloce and I'm in love with it! Yesterday I took
>it out on the highway for a day trip (I live in Arizona, USA). Several
>times when shifting from 4th to 5th gear (I revved up the engine to about
>4000rpm) there was a bang (kinda like a rock had hit the underside of the
>car) in the vicinity of the passenger-side floor area upon releasing the
>clutch. I didn't notice any adverse behavior afterwards but I'm worried
>that something is damaged or about to break. Does anyone have an idea what
>could be going on? The only other thing I noticed is that in first gear
>with the clutch about half way released, the stick is wiggling in a
>circular motion. Is that normal? I'm not car-mechanically inclined so I'll
>have to find a garage for a check up and potential repair (a few things are
>broken, e.g. speedometer hardly moving past 40mph, airbag light stays on
>etc.) anyway. Any recommendations for a garage specializing in Alfas in the
>Phoenix, Arizona area?

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