RE: [alfa] easy 105/115 front end fix

["Brian Shorey" <bshorey@xxxxxxxxx>]

Andrew,

Frap components are notorious for wearing out quickly.  Use Lemforder when
you can find them, worth the extra cost, imo.

bs

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided] On 
> Behalf Of Watry, Andrew (LNG-SFR)
> Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 11:12 AM
> To: 'alfa-digest@domain.elided'
> Subject: [alfa] easy 105/115 front end fix
> 
> 
> If your 105/115 front suspension makes a sharp slap or bang 
> noise over bumps, even small ones, it might be that your 
> caster ball joints are worn out (goodness that sounds crude.) 
>  My 2000 Berlina has reasonably tight front suspension, but 
> always made a harsh sound over small potholes and pavement 
> seams.  I replaced the caster joints yesterday morning, in 
> just over an hour, and the front end quieted down completely. 
>  It's an easy home job requiring only a couple hand tools, a 
> jack to get the car in the area, and careful measurement of 
> the length of the caster rod so you don't alter your 
> alignment settings.  Or, replace them just before you get an 
> alignment. I got FRAP joints, $28 each from Centerline, and 
> they're great.  Original Alfa joints are probably better, but 
> a lot more expensive.  It's hard to feel any wear in them 
> while they're in the car, but on removal, you can easily feel 
> any play in the socket; you shouldn't be able to feel any.  
> Even very small amounts of movement can make a surprising 
> loud, jarring noise. Of course, there are other things that 
> can go wrong, but in my experience this solves a lot of noise 
> issues.  Plus you're holding your caster better.
> 
> Andrew Watry
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