Re: Newbie Spider driver needs advice

["Michael W. Meyer" <mmeyer@domain.elided>]

Bruce,


I can only speak from personal experience with my one Alfa, an '88 Spider
Veloce that I've owned for about two years.

When I got it, it was loose and wandered around the road like you describe,
as well as skipping sideways over bumps on hard turns (and squeaking a lot).
It was bad enough to bug me, but not bad enough to think anything was
seriously wrong. I assumed that things had probably loosened up over time,
putting a light and sensitive car a little more at the mercy of wind and
road conditions.

A few months ago, I went to a new (and highly recommended) Alfa mechanic in
my area, who recommended new ball joints and control arm bushings. The
difference is *amazing,* and I can say that definitely, your Spider is not
meant to handle the way you describe.

You will notice more "road feel" than you are probably used to (or at least,
I do). I can feel the difference in the road's crown if I change lanes or
pull out to pass, but it never feels like I'm fighting the car.

I don't have any experience with any of the after-market gizmos, but my
inclination is always to restore the problem area to "as new" with original
design parts first. So far, that's solved a lot of problems..

Michael



Michael W. Meyer
mmeyer@domain.elided

IDEO
One Maguire Road
Lexington, MA 02421

Tel: 781.863.0022
Fax: 781.863.0747

> From: owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided (alfa-digest)
> Reply-To: alfa@domain.elided
> Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000 22:04:11 -0500
> To: alfa-digest@domain.elided
> Subject: alfa-digest V7 #1311
> 
> Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000 12:58:36 -0800
> From: "Bruce Cannon" <brucecannon@domain.elided>
> Subject: Newbie Spider driver needs advice
> 
> Hello all:
> 
> I am brand new (1 week) to Alfas, with an 88 Graduate (65k mi., garaged,
> well maintained).  I have only owned British American and Japanese cars, and
> realise that I have to make allowances for the very different natures and my
> commensurate ignorance, but my car feels truly terrible.  The steering feels
> loose (need to concentrate to keep lane centered on the freeway) and has
> INCHES of play at about 45 deg either way.  While it corners tight and flat,
> it shimmies crazily (side to side) on bumpy roads.  Up on the rack all four
> wheel bearings are audibly loose (clonk clonk).  The car stops well, but the
> pedal is spongy, no feel. The car goes like a rocket, but I don't feel in
> control enough to drive it at the speeds it wants to go.
> 
> All in all, I expected a tight, powerful, in-control kind of experience, but
> feel like I got a kind of scary one.  My seat-of-the-pants analysis said I
> need wheel bearings, shocks, springs and a brake flush, minimum.
> 
> Took it to a highly recommended Alfa mechanic yesterday who gave it a
> thorough inspection and literally laughed at me.  He said he'd take my money
> if I wanted but that the car was in great shape, didn't need anything.  Said
> that everything I complained about was supposed to be like that ["steering
> play is an artifact of gearbox design and only occurs at the locks, front
> wheel bearings need to be a bit loose for expansion during braking, the
> clonking in the rear wasn't bearings but an inherent part of the axle
> mechanism, springs and shocks are fine"].
> 
> Said I needed to get used to the cars, that unlike almost all other cars
> they are closer to racing machines than taxis; that their radically
> different design goals result in the things I noticed.  Said that lots of
> people try to change those characteristics but only manage to screw up a
> carefully designed machine.  Said absolutely don't get lowering springs or
> stiffer springs or stiffer shocks.  The only things he'd recommend would be
> alloy wheels and Michelins.
> 
> The reason I'm writing is that while I'd love to believe all that I still
> find driving it unsettling.  I'm currently practicing pretending I have
> confidence in the car and am learning to drive it fast, but it's tough
> going.
> 
> I'm seeking any input more experienced Spider drivers care to offer.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Bruce Cannon

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