Alfa Pages

JeremyC

It's all in the title really. How do I remove those grilles that the wiper spindles come through. When I clean them they make an ominous crunching sound so I want to remove them and check for rust underneath.

Ta.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

paulhide · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject:

4 screws at the front and five plastic tags to carefully prise out at the back without damaging the screen or the scuttle/grill. The windscreen wash pipes will also be attached.
(I have a spare scuttle/grill for sale should you need it.)
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Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

JeremyC · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:00 am Post subject:

Thanks Paul.

Does anyone have a picture of the underside of the grille and / or the bare scuttle so I can figure out exactly what needs doing to release those tags?

Is it literally a matter of prising away from the windscreen (i.e. perpendicular to the screen) or is it more subtle.

Cheers.

Oh, and am I worrying needlessly or is this a corrosion hotspot as it can be on many cars.

pps: Presumably the lugs go into the white slot shaped sockets visible in some of the pictures on the windscreen replacement section here:

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

JeremyC · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:29 am Post subject:

OK it's out and I'm glad I did as what lurks beneath is not pretty. I'm glad I got to it when I did though, I suspect another winter may well have made it a much bigger job.

I think my welding man will be getting a call on Monday.

I'd encourage everyone to get their grilles off ( Shocked

) and check the state of their scuttles.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

Pics JC or is it that bad??
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

JeremyC · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:20 pm Post subject:

Sorry the grille is back on (screws only, I removed the clips for quick future access until it is repaired) so I can drive it but basically:

Rust but no penetration around the leftmost (from drivers perspective) clip socket.

Very bad rust and weakening around the two central clip sockets either side of the left (i.e. central) wiper spindle. The steel that supports the wiper spindle is weakened.

Very bad rust around the right most clip socket to the extent of a 2cm square hole outboard of the clip socket. The area around the right hand wiper spindle is also weakened.

Bad news is that the screen will probably have to come out to do the job properly.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

john 33_16v · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 1:32 pm Post subject:

Good call Jeremy.

Took off my scuttle grille today, and I'm glad I did. Absolutely full off sludge and shite with both drains partially blocked. Took out the wiper motor/assy to get in and clean it all out.

I'm please to say i just had a surface rust patch in the centre bit which i've cleaned up and hammeritted. When i next get a few hours free I'm going to go in with the dinitrol on all edges seems etc

This has been quite a relief as when staring to look at my floor (further to bung issue) i've found that the floor to sill box section seem is shot in the front passenger side for about 6 inches, so my car is going to have to have it's first ever welding when time permits-grrr

Pics of scuttle-

John
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If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

JeremyC · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:02 pm Post subject:

I have scuttle envy!

My car has lived all of it's life apart from the last two years garaged so quite why it should be so bad I can't imagine. The inner wings ( I had the shields off to unblock those drains) are immaculate apart from a tiny bit of surface rust at the bottom (now treated).

It's going to be a nightmare job with all those holes for the clip sockets and screen supports not to mention the dashboard electrics right underneath.

I have a figure in my head and basically if the quote is more than that then I'm going to sell it on with full disclosure of what needs doing.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

john 33_16v · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:27 pm Post subject:

Jeremy,

The steel seems pretty thick in this area, i wonder whether you/ your welder could just fabricate a bracket to beef up the wiper mounting and bolt/weld it on somewhere? Then you could perhaps just clean up the rust to stop it, and refix the plastic trim by alternative means- other clips, screws?

Hope you get it sorted. Rust is one of those things that brings a sick feeling to the gut, and can make you fall out of love with a car very quickly, but there's often 'a way'.

John
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If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

JeremyC · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:41 pm Post subject:

Oh absolutely and I'm going to stick with it if I can if for no other reason than I have no desire to go car shopping and there's been nothing else made in the last twenty years that ticks all the right boxes (I'd love an XJ-S but I need something with four doors and sensible back seats for the in-laws).

That said this is our everyday car and I need for it to not soak up too much time and money.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

Thanks JC, I now have an excuse to do more work on my car lol.
I will take a look and post my findings, I think we all have the alfa bug otherwise we wouldn't be here Smile

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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

33bits · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 8:45 pm Post subject:

Hi Jeremy, after your call a few days ago i can now confirm that i am deff collecting my next 33 on saturday. I will get to work cutting that section out for you. Pleased you are sticking with the car, too many lately have been stripped due to rust.
Was good to talk to you, catch up soon.
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lee16v · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 4:32 pm Post subject:

bobbber · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject:

JC.. if it's any consolation... I was told "it's just a matter of levering it off"...

Yeah... I did that...

And it came off... excellent!

Then I thought "I'll have a look behind to see EXACTLY what those tags look like"...

They looked like half the bulkhead had been "levered off" too Laughing