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Boxerbeat · Alfa Arna Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 12

Hi,

I have just found this forum and it seems like a great place for info regarding 33s so thought I may as well join in.

I came across it by searching the web for information regarding alfa 33s.

Maybe some one here can help. I want to remove the power steering from my 33 series 3 and have an old rack from my old sprint but to fit this one involves quite a lot of work. Is there a simpler option, did Alfa make non assisted racks for the 33 series 3 ? or could I use the standard power assisted rack and just fill it with oil and seal it ? steering is light enough for me with this one even when the engine is not running ? but not sure about the NCT ( MOT in Ireland )

Please help Sad

Oggie · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:27 pm Post subject:

Hello and welcome, the steering rack in a series 3 is (i only know this from other's who posted on this site) a right royal pain in the nether region's to remove. Your better off replacing with a new rack as replacing the seals are also a fiddle to do. But replacing with a series 2 rack would make life easier just a little harder to steer at very low speeds.
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PHAT 33

RFlower · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:10 pm Post subject:

The 33 power steering system simply has a hydraulic ram stuck on the end of a normal rack; the ratio may be different from a non assisted rack, but somehow I doubt this.
The hydraulic fluid system is separate from the grease lubrication for the rack itself.
If the gaiters on rack you have are OK and you can really manage without power steering you could just disconnect and remove the pump.
It would be a good idea to jumper the supply and return connections for the ram and fill the pipes so that some hydraulic fluid stays in the ram and control valve just in case they get stiff.
Seals for the ram are quite easy to get, not quite so easy to fit correctly, but possible. My rack is ZF, and I got the fitting instructions and dimensions, which the parts supplier couldn't/wouldn't provide, from their tech. dept. in UK.
Control valve repair and adjustment are probably best left for the specialists.
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Dick Flower, Nr. Carcassonne. '94 Trofeo 1.4 ie (F), '93 Imola 1.3/1.4 ie (now for breaking) (F), '91 1.7 ie (GB)(spare car), '86 Sprint 1.5 QV (F). '87 VW Syncro camper (F), '73 NSU Ro80 (F), '99 Fiat Seicento (F)

Boxerbeat · Alfa Arna Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 12

Thanks for the replies.

Removing the rack is not a problem, I have removed everything else so access is not an issue.
I just don't want power steering on it, I find it light enough even with the engine off and also the older boxer engine I am putting in does not have the mounting points for the pump bracket.

There is one gaitor gone on the rack, can this be replaced ? looks difficult if not impossible Rolling Eyes

Have the engine nearly ready to go in so need to get this sorted asap.

RFlower · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:44 am Post subject:

I didn't have any problem replacing the gaiters. I'll have a look at one of my spare racks tomorrow as I can't remember how they are fitted.
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Dick Flower, Nr. Carcassonne. '94 Trofeo 1.4 ie (F), '93 Imola 1.3/1.4 ie (now for breaking) (F), '91 1.7 ie (GB)(spare car), '86 Sprint 1.5 QV (F). '87 VW Syncro camper (F), '73 NSU Ro80 (F), '99 Fiat Seicento (F)

RFlower · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:42 am Post subject:

You're right, replacing the gaiters is a bit of a fiddle. It just didn't seem too difficult compared with the rest of the work I did on the rack, which was of course already dimantled.
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Dick Flower, Nr. Carcassonne. '94 Trofeo 1.4 ie (F), '93 Imola 1.3/1.4 ie (now for breaking) (F), '91 1.7 ie (GB)(spare car), '86 Sprint 1.5 QV (F). '87 VW Syncro camper (F), '73 NSU Ro80 (F), '99 Fiat Seicento (F)

john 33_16v · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 5:14 pm Post subject:

Alfa garages apparantly never changed the gaiters on 33 power racks.

I had an alfa specialist change the gaiters on my old power rack with the proviso that it might leak, and it completely shagged it. It had a massive clonk in it, and wouldn't bleed.

PAS specialists can recondition racks, but i guess you've gotta know what you're doing.

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

paulhide · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject:

I also prefer carbs and non-power steering. If the non-power steering brackets are the same and they may well be, I think the threads are slightly different where the the UJ on the steering column connects, but may fit anyway? Changing gaiters on non-power rack - fine. Changing gaiters on power rack - not fine.
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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

Boxerbeat · Alfa Arna Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 12

So does the series 2 rack defo fit the S3 without any hassle, do I need any other parts or just the rack and steering arms?

Thanks again.

PS where should I post pictures of this re build ?

paulhide · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:59 am Post subject:

Looks like you're going into unknown territory. Shocked

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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