dollywobbler Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 I think they probably only did that to try and improve the turning circle. It's shockingly bad! 164 point turn for the lose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Lobster Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 It's an Alfa, it will go wrong, it will piss you off, why should your Alfa experience be different from everyone else's.Now get back out there and swear at it before something else breaks.Yup, thats about how it goes with Alfas I'm afraid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted June 22, 2009 Author Share Posted June 22, 2009 I've got it up for £400 now as I need to get shot really - especially as I've found a Wartburg estate for sale...Come on, I need some East European shite so get a bargain* while it's hot!* It's an Alfa, with issues, so may not technically be a bargain. I tell you what though, I brought it into work today, the brake isn't binding and I think I may be developing a liking for it again.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRegieRitmo Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Somewhere down the line, when your frustration has lessened & developed into something more positive, you may want something to remember the car by. It should be a much safer bet than the real thing (unless the wheels fall off, but it's a German model so you should be ok!) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINICHAMPS-ALFA-R ... 1|294%3A50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 Well, it didn't break down today. I left it at home... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 Dear God. It's been almost one month and nothing else has gone wrong! This is despite me flogging my sensible car, leaving daily-driver duties to a feeble-but-fun French peasant wagon and a stroppy Italian. In fact, the car seems better with use. I'm almost tempted to spend some money on it - which I guess is a mistake as that's sure to make other things go wrong...My commute has shrunk too. Despite the office being 25 miles from home, in the past two days, I've only done 20 miles according to the Alfa. Ok, so the speedo/mileometer are still very intermittent but that's ok as it'll take ages until the next service is due...The brakes have been fine, with no signs of binding. Apart from the sunroof once not wanting to close fully, everything's been fine. Oh, and the slow punctures it seems to have developed in two wheels. And the worrying clunk from the steering at times.Not that any of this matters when you're gifted with a clear, twisty section of road. Boy can this girl sing and she's fun to lead through the bends too. So in conclusion, I still very much love/hate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Station Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 Don't get complacent with it. That's the worst thing you can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Lobster Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 It's lulling you into a false sense of security. Just when you think everythings ok, then.......DISASTER Possibly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredTransit Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 And whatever you do, don't let it hear you...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 23, 2009 Author Share Posted July 23, 2009 Why do you think I'm in the 2CV today? I wouldn't write something like the above and then attempt a journey!I'm very tempted to take her to a specialist for some quotes. I reckon that'll have me hating it again very swiftly!Sod it. I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts. If someone wants it for not a lot of dosh then fair enough. Otherwise, she's doing fine as one of my daily motors. Though I'm due a new purchase in a couple of weeks, so she might then start playing up again. I don't think she likes competition... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share Posted July 26, 2009 Well, the brakes went all sticky again on Friday night. Glad we didn't have to go far...But, I've decided to go for it. I'm going to stick it into the local(ish) garage and get them to change the master cylinder. I've seen where it is. I don't really fancy that job! I've avoided buying a Montego, so I haz some fundz.Will it repay me or will it just go horribly wrong?TO BE CONTINUED... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew353w Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 Don't know if this will help, but by coincidence I spent the weekend doing the brakes on a 2 litre "W" reg 145 cloverleaf and it wasn't too bad a job! Work included new pads all round, new discs at the front and one new caliper at the back. The rear caliper was the hardest bit of the job, but even that wasn't really the pits to do. One thing you WILL need is a tool to push the piston back in on the rear calipers; it's a "twist and squeeze" movement, which you can't really do without the brake piston tool. Hope you get it sorted, mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share Posted July 26, 2009 Wouldn't need the callipers touching for master cylinder replacement, but I started thinking "this ain't a job for me" when the manual said "drain the brake fluid - by using a syringe." Well, that and the fact that the master cylinder appears to be beneath the fluid reservoir. Which is below the coolant reservoir. Oh and the fact that I buggered up one of the bleed nipples when 'investigating' with my usual skill...Don't really want to chance it with brakes do you? Not when there's a 3-litre V6 to rein in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew353w Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 Bit of a run from Cambridge, but there's an excellent Alfa specialist on the outskirts of Oxford I can recommend. Good advice on the phone and REAL mechanics you can talk to. Oxford garage for a Cambridge man... Could be a Varsity run here!Need an "A" frame? Can assist!Andrew353w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share Posted July 26, 2009 Ta. It's really not worth sending to a specialist. I'd do that if I owned a nice one...But thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRegieRitmo Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 Don't know if this will help, but by coincidence I spent the weekend doing the brakes on a 2 litre "W" reg 145 cloverleaf and it wasn't too bad a job! Work included new pads all round, new discs at the front and one new caliper at the back. The rear caliper was the hardest bit of the job, but even that wasn't really the pits to do. One thing you WILL need is a tool to push the piston back in on the rear calipers; it's a "twist and squeeze" movement, which you can't really do without the brake piston tool. Hope you get it sorted, mate!I remember what a ballache this was, my 146 needed the discs & pads replacing for MOT. My mate was helping me & following return trips to the local hardware store after unsuccessful attempts at trying to wind the calliper up they ended up asking him "it's not a 146 you're working on is it?" "yes", "oh you have my sympathy" (or words to that effect) "you'll need a special tool for that job!" whereby he was presented with a small block of meal with a couple of notches on it - a rear calliper winder. It wasn't really a surprise as every job that had been attempted ended up being a far bigger undertaking than it should have been, with an overly complicated system for everything! Cheers Fiat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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