Loose feeling rear of 156

[chrisga]

Has anyone else had, or know of anything in particular that can wear out on the back of a 156 sportwagon that would almost make it feel like the rear of the car wanted to move sideways when driving. I dont mean like a full skid when cornering but occasionally the back moves out of line slightly when driving on an apparently straight road. I had thought it was worn tyres following ruts in the road, but not so sure now. You hear a lot of the front suspension wearing out on 156's but does the back too?

Edited by chrisga on Sunday 9th January 12:37

[Parabola]

My 156 SW felt like a new car after I had the wheels alligned.
http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/
Might sort it

[velocemitch]

Yes there is something at the back which wears can't remember what it is now though, track control arms?, Radius arms?, something of that kin. It's worth getting it checked out by a dealer or specialist as it does tighten up the handling a fair bit when it's sorted.

[chrisga]

Thanks guys.

[wrinx]

Probably these little fellas, rear adius arms:

http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_radius_arm.shtm...

wrinx

[RicksAlfas]

velocemitch said:

Yes there is something at the back which wears can't remember what it is now though, track control arms?, Radius arms?, something of that kin.

Rear radius arms I think they were Mitch.
There were also some "hub bushes". All not too expensive (for once).

Edited by RicksAlfas on Sunday 9th January 18:54

[ritmo]

on mine it was these chaps - went through them in 50,000mls. quite common apparently

[robsco]

Parabola said:

My 156 SW felt like a new car after I had the wheels alligned.
http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/
Might sort it

I'm looking at getting this done Parabola, my 156 feels all over the place at the moment. The suspension arms look solid as a rock so I can't imagine what else it could be.

[Maranellohouse]

There are 4 radious arms on the rear of a 156 that cause what you have. They are very easily replaced and only cost around £30 each if I remember right. I've had to fit a few to my cars over the years and as I say, one of the more easy jobs. You do need to get the car tracked once you ve fitted them or you'll get the inside of the tyres wearing first.

[chrisga]

Thanks Maranello house, the inside of the tyres front and rear always wear first by a mile on my wifes 156. We had a full four wheel tracking done about a year ago. The looseness has only manifested itself in the last few weeks. Have i read somewhere that there was some updated geometry that reduces inside of tyre wear, or am I making that up? Could the tyre place we used for getting the wheel alignment done not have known about any updates?

[wrinx]

chrisga said:

Have i read somewhere that there was some updated geometry that reduces inside of tyre wear, or am I making that up? Could the tyre place we used for getting the wheel alignment done not have known about any updates?

The revised figure for the front was to set the toe at zero degrees iirc.

wrinx