Alfa Pages

[nitram]

hi, 1st time on the forum, so hi to you all!!!

About to inherit a 1991 Alfa 33 Permanent 4 1.7 16v QV from my kindly elder brother whos moving on to bigger and better alfas. Trouble is the cars leaking power steering fluid from the rack which will need replacing.

I was wondering how tough a job this is - ive a fair bit of experience of mechanics, but mostly on older cars and tractors, is this a feasable job for the diy'er or is it best left to the garage. If its a home job then are there any things i need to be careful of. Ill be able to get the car inside and fairly high on ramps or axle stands, but have no lift or pit.

Thanks for the advice

martin

[paulcanning69]

not a good job i hated doing mine

[Bellamachinna]

Hi
Welcome to the 33 fraternity
The steering rack is a pain to change. One that is best, to let the garage to do...

Good luck
P.Camilo
_________________
All'interno della mia macchina, vi sedete, tenete sopra e CHIUDETE IN SU...

[john 33_16v]

Hi,


Job is not impossible for DIY mechanic, but it is a cowson of a job.

This Taken from www.alfisti.co.uk technical boxer section.


33 16v PAS RACK REMOVAL- Alfisti.co.uk 2002


May not be the best way, but it works-

Jack up cars front and support nice and high. Take off front wheels.

Drop exhaust at front, support if poss.

Undo the fluid supply and return hoses at rack- oil will come out. One of the nuts has a metal pipe which fouls it a bit-, push pipe with screwdriver with care.

On RHD turn steering to rh lock to make it easy to undo tie rod bolts at rack. Use ball joint splitter to undo tie rod on drivers side(RHD) and remove rod from car.

Pull off plastic cone piece and turn steering so that the rack doesn't stick out where the cone was.

Undo and remove the lower steering column in car.

Undo the 4 bolts securing rack to firewall.

Support the gearbox extension with a jack undo the 2 support bolts at back.

Loosen the top engine mount (DONT remove bolt), lower rear of gbox support and thus rear of engine.

Pull the rack out of the tie rod hole on drivers side (RHD). This isn't easy and the manual says take off the strut, which will help, but may not be needed. Dont damage the boots unless you are junking the old rack!

Big tip:- Make sure the column slides nicely onto the rack splines off the car before you put it back. It may need to be cleaned up and greased. Much easier off the car!!
_________________
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

[nitram]

Thanks for the advice, so its basically a pig of a job, but is possible at home.

The garage my brother uses wants 350 quid or thereabouts to do the rack - does this seem steep to you?

Also, is there a good source of mail order parts for these cars - im on the isle of skye

Thanks again

martin