Accidental 916 Spider TS
Discussion
RiccardoG said:
Any updates on this?
I've recently decided I need an Alfa and the Spider appeals as a classic convertible option. Therefore reading up as much as I can about these.
Stand by, caller. Not yet, it is still tucked up in the barn until we see something resembling Spring. I've recently decided I need an Alfa and the Spider appeals as a classic convertible option. Therefore reading up as much as I can about these.
Probably March or April to be liberated. Then needs tracking and desperately a new set of tyres as current ones cheap Chinese and 10+ years old. And I have also failed to repair the bolster on the drivers seat as been distracted by a Clio.
But I intend to use it as a daily or it has to go. (Must not horde!).
Alfa recovered from the barn this month. Clio R27 now sleeping in its place.
New tyres ordered, £48 each but 205/55 not 50 as there is a much wider choice and thus much cheaper. Went for Kumho Ecsta, which I’ve got on several cars now. And pretty good at a great price.
Tracking now done post the work done last autumn and noticeably more stable. Rears needed no adjustment, fronts now point in the correct direction, under £50 at my local tyre place. Possibly a deal as seem to be spending a lot of time there. The young lad said we don’t see any of these any more but he was a fan, running a 20+ year old v8 Audi!
Also done the OSR grumbly wheel bearing. There are no OEM bearings available for the early cars now so had to buy Borg & Beck alternative so will see how we get on. Easy job but had to borrow a tq wrench from the guys at my village garage as needed 200 lbs ft and mine only went to 150 lbs ft. They get a regular supply of biscuits there as are my (free) tool hire shop!
Old bearing looked a bit gone:
Grease v old and hard and could push the inner out of true due to excess play.
The next issue to appear is a squeal on start for a minute or two. When I exercise the aux belt, the tensioner feels juddery rather than smoothly adjusting the tension. So will change both tensioner and idler pulley. Ironically this may be an issue due to lack of use over the winter.
Basically more money to keep a non appreciating semi classic on the road. But then been driving it in the last few week’s sunshine and it is such a hoot around the country lanes, it would be sad to see it go.
New tyres ordered, £48 each but 205/55 not 50 as there is a much wider choice and thus much cheaper. Went for Kumho Ecsta, which I’ve got on several cars now. And pretty good at a great price.
Tracking now done post the work done last autumn and noticeably more stable. Rears needed no adjustment, fronts now point in the correct direction, under £50 at my local tyre place. Possibly a deal as seem to be spending a lot of time there. The young lad said we don’t see any of these any more but he was a fan, running a 20+ year old v8 Audi!
Also done the OSR grumbly wheel bearing. There are no OEM bearings available for the early cars now so had to buy Borg & Beck alternative so will see how we get on. Easy job but had to borrow a tq wrench from the guys at my village garage as needed 200 lbs ft and mine only went to 150 lbs ft. They get a regular supply of biscuits there as are my (free) tool hire shop!
Old bearing looked a bit gone:
Grease v old and hard and could push the inner out of true due to excess play.
The next issue to appear is a squeal on start for a minute or two. When I exercise the aux belt, the tensioner feels juddery rather than smoothly adjusting the tension. So will change both tensioner and idler pulley. Ironically this may be an issue due to lack of use over the winter.
Basically more money to keep a non appreciating semi classic on the road. But then been driving it in the last few week’s sunshine and it is such a hoot around the country lanes, it would be sad to see it go.
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