Classic Alfa Forums

Oh yeah we’d also noticed it had started to. Be very squeaky from the rear suspension so I had a quick look and yep looks like we’ve either got a broken rear spring or a Mismatched pair. luckily I’ve got a new pair in stock that Im going to fit when I put the konis on (I just hadn’t got round to it)

I also removed all the trim from the boot in order to clean it all. It looks like something oily has been spilt in the past. I’ve cleaned it up Best I can for now. I’d like to find some NOS boot carpet trim if possible

Looks all nice and sound in there.

Hi Keith. Yeah I’m quite pleased. No evidence of accident damage It has been painted but given the 916 habit of paint and laquer peel that doesn’t suprise or concern me this week I’ll be fitting the rear springs and new rear konis. Hoping to get to see Kev again soon to collect the fronts as I’ve got new front springs aswell.

Looking good Lou.
I'll aim to be thorough with mine too once I get around to it!

The KONI's are still set aside for you, no drama

New rear springs and Konis fitted today Rear springs as removed
Why do people do this !!! The LH is a 3.0, RH is a std TS

Apart from sqeaking, did the car sit level with those 2 springs fitted?

Hi Dave. Yes it did actually sit ok but as you can see the bigger spring was coil bound for the first 4 coils
So its effectiveness was “Suboptimal”. The car felt quite firm at the rear.

That is an amazingly stupid, as you say why ?

These issues arise from people just doing the minimum to get the car through the test usually, we see it all the time.
You can explain to the customer that it's best practice to change in pairs but often it's turned down on cost grounds, not everyone sees things as we do !

Best to fit a second hand spring.
Then it matches the other!

The Spider enjoying the Cornwall Sun over the Jubilee weekend. We towed it down on the trailer behind the Motorhome

Perfect location. Nice one.

Thanks Keith. Yeah it’s been a blast driving round the country lanes of Cornwall with the roof down. Getting a spider has definitely been one of my better ideas And I’ve not seen another in fact a few people have actually asked “what is it ?”

Took the spider for its First MOT (under my ownership) thankfully passed with no issues or advisories. Well Chuffed
Also checked the previous MOTs and
It covered 42 miles during 20/21. And only 437 from 18/20.so I guess it was parked up for a yr as no MOT was carried out for 2019. Next job is to refurbish the front suspension as there’s a few squeaks and I think they’ve put stiffer front springs on so I’m going to fit std spec ones to new Konis (I haven’t forgot Kev)
Another job is to replace the door speakers as the originals have deteriorated. I checked my spare ones and they were all the same. Question Kenwood - Alpine - Pioneer ????

Still sat awaiting you Lou, no drama
Great news about the test pass

Stereo started to sound a bit ruff Can you spot the problem ?? I didn’t want to cut the plugs off the loom so I made made these to connect to the new speakers. New Kenwood loveliness

Knackered!
Nice upgrade and loom adapter to keep things neat
That has got to be an improvement over those split originals!

Yeah it sounds so much better. I’ve got to modify the covers. As the new speakers are a little bigger so the clips dont engage as they did. I think the solution Will include Velcro.

Just want to share this little gem. Quick EBay search and I found these little booklets that allow you to begin your own. Service record
Great quality and great way to keep service history going after your factory one is full or like me if your cheap S/H Alfa came with no service history at all.
Lou

Finally looked at the Spiders A/C system today. The Compressor had never engaged since I got the car. I started by checking The compressor connector with a circuit tester and sure enough the wire wasn’t being energised when the A/C was selected. This was either empty system or a duff pressure switch I checked and sure enough the system was pretty much empty. Shoved some “ make it cold juice” in and still no compressor clutch action. Checked all the fuses and other connections and all seemed fine. I didn’t want to keep adding cool it juice with out the comp running so i ran a frig link for the comp to the main fuse and the comp clutch kicked in. Now with the engine and compressor running I was able to set the correct system pressure. (20-30psi for the low side) once I did that and removed the frig link and replaced the proper switch wire the compressor now responds normally and we have conditioned air. Maybe a bit unconventional method but I’m calling it a Result.
I’ll Now monitor the system for a few weeks to see if it holds up or if it looses pressure and how quickly. That way we can decide if we have any leaks. We’ve got no drips and there’s no “venting to atmosphere” type smoke so hopefully it’s all good.

P.s. no Polar bears were harmed in making my A/C work !!

Took the spider for a good run to see my mum today up In Bolton. It’s the longest single journey I’ve done in it and I’ve now covered my first 1000 miles since the rebuild. It’s running really well and the A/C is still working a treat.
We’ll chuffed

Bit later than planned but the spiders winter hibernation work begins. I’m doing pretty much the same stuff that Kevs doing to his GTV. (Without the engine rebuild) I’m fitting Koni struts up front with new springs, new lower wishbones , ARB drop links and track rod ends. I’m also taking a pile of sheet metal to get powder coated. The idea is to hopefully have trouble free summer motoring leaving me free to do the sud and midget I’ve also got the drivers door stripped down. It’s always rattled and I’m trying to get to the bottom of it. It’s obviously been apart at some time and the gorilla that didn’t put back together made a great job of not putting back together properly. Also found the air intake rubber had a split in it.
So that was suboptimal

During my investigation in to the general “loose” feeling of the door fittings. I can shed some light on the installation of the doors lower window weather strips. These are very often loose or damaged and are hellish expensive if you can find new ones. The main problem appears to be the weather strip fits over some very small plastic clips that are attached to the door the a long thin locking strip secures the seal in place. The small clips are tiny and are easily broken. But if the locking strip cant clip on then the weather strip will not be secure
The small clips are being remade by Totally Alfa but they want £5.50 each and you need 12 per door !!! Ouch
As far as I’m aware the GTV is exactly the same.

Are the clips plastic ? - if so, I have a friend who is into 3D primting who, gived a sample, probably could reproduce them for you at a much better price than £5.50 each ! He's retired, and likes things like this to keep him busy, he's done a few bits for me for AOG on here for his Sprint Veloce project.
Cheers, John.

Hi John yes they are plastic. I’m pretty sure Totally Alfa are 3D printing them aswell. Alfa stopped supplying them years ago. I’ll see about getting one off (intact) and send it up to you
Lou

Quick update New Konis struts & springs. new gaiters have arrived from Alfashop. I Took the opportunity to repaint the front bumper irons and fitted nice new nuts. I’ve also given the front end a bit of a clean it’s all hidden when the bumpers on but that’s not the point
I’ve also dropped my spare subframe and a pile of other metal work to be Powder coated.
The usual stuff like the rad support member and the slam panel. Oh yeah and the air box bracket was crusty so that sorted aswell. That’s going to be a couple of weeks as they’re really busy. Times not an issue and I’ve still got lots to get on with.

More progress. Both struts are rebuilt and now back on the car. I’ve taken the time to refresh the black paint on the inner wing(I’d prefer body coloured but as this area is black as std. I’ve just redone it). I’ve also repainted the top mountings so they don’t look quite as scruffy. Still waiting for a call from the powder coaters to say all my bits are done hopefully by weekend. This is all taking a longer than expected due to me having a really bad attack of Sciatica down my right leg I’m struggling on but by god it’s painful

Our parallel projects are remarkable for at similar stages Lou, I too called in at my powder coaters who have my subframe and assorted other bits just yesterday, they haven't yet done mine either despite having them since early January. Promised they're now in the front of the queue for the big pile of parts to do tomorrow as it's black paint day. They gather parts and do in big batches of colour rather than swapping and changing, makes sense I guess. Usually a quicker turnaround though, but they do a good job and don't charge the earth so I'm loath to complain.
Hope the leg improves, the last year or so I've had terrible pain in my left foot which has thankfully almost cleared up, we're getting old!

Indeed we are Kev . Re Powder coating I agree I’d rather have it good than quick. My guys also wait until they on a certain colour and batch stuff up. They do a load of stuff for JCB so yellow is usually on the schedule ! But didn’t want anything yellow. All my stuff is satin black. I’m having the air filter bracket done along with the bonnet slam panel (yes I’ve got new decals ). The rad support panel. Front subframe with stiffener extensions aswell as the brackets that hold the alarm and relays under the OS headlamp cover. After the fronts done I’ll move on to the rear and get the suspension arms done and the dog bones. I’ve got new bump stops and mounts to fit at the same time. When I get the call I’ll be taking some Sud stuff to be done like the rear axle associated arms and panhard rod. I can the. Start to reassemble it all. The body is still the priority but im keen to get all aspects of the project done as it all needs doing to move the project on
All good fun