Alfa Pages

Sergio · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 11:24 pm Post subject: Hand brake rocking

Hi to all

My car, 33 16v (discs allround and ABS) rocks back and fourth when the handbrake is fully pulled... The wheels don't move but the body rocks back and forth.
Is this normal?

All the best

Sérgio

Gary UK · Posted: Thu May 01, 2003 12:43 am Post subject:

Rear suspension tie rod bushes worn. Easy and cheap to replace.

Sergio · Posted: Thu May 01, 2003 2:00 pm Post subject:

Hi Gary

How "easy" is it replacing the rear bushes? And how much (aprox) will it cost me?

all the best

Sérgio

Gary UK · Posted: Thu May 01, 2003 2:44 pm Post subject:

If you look under your car at the back you will see two bars going forward on each side (presuming mk3) you will need to remove these bars (one bolt at each end) cut out the old bushes and press new ones in.

To press them in use a big vice and a socket ring (or ring spanner) the same diameter as the bush (so you are applying force to the outer plastic ring rather than the rubber).

Alfa or generic ones cost about £4 - £8 each but there are harder compound ones available superflex etc.. Harder bushes will giveyou a noisy ride but improve handling (if you are worried about noise get a tractor innertube and cut into sections and line the boot under the carpet using underseal as glue).

There is also the panhard rod bushes (bar running accross car) but in my experience they don't seem to wear as much as the tie rod ones and as I've never replaced them can't tell you how.

To get the bars back on you may need a friend or jack to push the rear beam into position. And take the tie bars off, refurbish and replace them one at a time.

The only problem you may encounter is removing the bolts that secure the tie bars. If this is the case put lot's of heat into the nut , ideally weld round 1/2 the nut head or use a blowtorch but be careful of fuel lines and flamable stuff and use a big lever bar.