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Sudmeister
Alfasud
Joined: 31 Jan 2008
Posts: 55
Location: London, UK
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 Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:10 pm Post subject: £500 steering rack or break the car? - HELP |
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Hi all,
The good news - After nearly 18 months since my cambelt let go (see http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5256) I've replaced the engine (cheers Paul H) and the car is running again. She drives lovely, the used engine Paul sold me purrs, and I was pleased at having at last completed the biggest job I've ever done.
The bad news - Now I've found out that the steering rack gaitors are perished. And I need them for an MOT. After lots of messing about an Alfa specialist has said I should fit a recon rack - cost £500+ fitted. Any advice? Oh, and it needs a power steering pipe which will take the price up to £650 all in.
I just can't spend £650 on a car which is also crying out for a respray (it's red). My wife says I should break the car. Any thoughts on how I could bring the cost down, or somewhere that might supply/fit recon racks cheaper?
I saw the other thread here saying the rack is a difficult job to do.
Cheers,
John (a 33 owner on the brink!) 
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Alfasud 105Ti Green Cloverleaf
33 16v |
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Oggie
Green Cloverleaf
Joined: 06 Mar 2008
Posts: 811
Location: Whitehill
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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Try asking alex (33bits) he has most spares now or failing that Just suds, they are a little expensive for secondhand bits but surley going to be cheaper, oh and I forgot ask Adie hawkins at AHM he should have the parts your after and it should be cheap the only thing is you may have to remove it yourself!!, but it would be good practice.
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john 33_16v
16 Valve
Joined: 27 May 2005
Posts: 1406
Location: herts, uk
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
It is a miserable job with the engine in, but not beyond a good diy mechanic. With the bitch that is hindsight had you changed it with the lump out it would have been a doddle.
This might help- http://www.alfisti.co.uk/16vPAS.htm
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 |
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Boxerbeat
Alfa Arna
Joined: 01 Jul 2009
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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This is one of the reason I am ditching the power steering on my 33, one less thing to worry about with MOTs etc and if the gaitors need replacing on a standard rack it's a lot easier, one less fluid to check also 
Have you tried motor factors to see if they sell a split gaitor for these racks, I know you can get them for CV joints and they are MOT compliant as far as I know. |
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BigAl
P4
Joined: 06 May 2003
Posts: 2990
Location: U.K Surrey
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paulhide
P4
Joined: 20 Dec 2003
Posts: 1607
Location: Oh Beautiful Billingham
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:45 am Post subject: |
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I think Alex may have a spare rack. (I may have pipework in a garage somewhere, but not sure)
Just beginning to go through my series 3 stuff to sell. (Anyone want a rear bumper before I chuck it?)
I like what Boxerbeat is doing - let us know how you get on.
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http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188 |
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john 33_16v
16 Valve
Joined: 27 May 2005
Posts: 1406
Location: herts, uk
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:05 am Post subject: |
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| BigAl wrote: |
I have just done a search for that but only came up with the cv kit
http://www.carparts-direct.co.uk/splitdriveshaftgaiter.cfm
I believe the gaiter part number is 60506725, correct if wrong.
The idea of replacing the gaiters without removing the rack sounds superb, can anyone point in the right direction? |
The split and glue up type of cv boots are usually a messy waste of time, but a steering rack version might work better as there are no twisting forces. I guess they don't (seem to) do them is because on most cars rack boots aren't that bad a job.
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 |
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paulhide
P4
Joined: 20 Dec 2003
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Location: Oh Beautiful Billingham
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BigAl
P4
Joined: 06 May 2003
Posts: 2990
Location: U.K Surrey
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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I would prefer to do it that way as well because you know as soon as you open up the unions it is going to leek.
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Sudmeister
Alfasud
Joined: 31 Jan 2008
Posts: 55
Location: London, UK
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| Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:47 am Post subject: |
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Thanks all,
I'll try Alex and Adie then for the parts. And then I'll have a go at fitting them myself (that guide looks handy John). Just a bummer that I've got so near to having the car roadgoing and now I've got to go back and do a big job. But the car is really too good to break and they keep getting rarer.
I'll let you know how I go.
Cheers again,
John
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