156 2.4 jtd woes - Your Thoughts Please
156 2.4 jtd woes - Your Thoughts Please
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Discussion

Parabola

Original Poster:

1,861 posts

218 months

Monday 7th January 2013
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I've been having a bit of trouble with my 2003 Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 Jtd, since just before Christmas.

The brakes failed, there was a puddle of brake fluid near the rear wheel.

My independent Alfa specialist had shut for Christmas, so had the garage that looks after my classics.
Really needed the car for a couple of airport runs and the long drive home for Christmas (BMW & Golf are tucked up for winter) so had to chance taking the car to a local garage I'd not used before.

They replaced the a brake tube along the car and told me to collect. The brakes were still completely useless, so had to leave the car with them over Christmas for a brake master cylinder. When I went to pick the car up, the brakes STILL weren't right, so had to leave with them again to bleed the system properly. I was told lots of thing about 'Complex brake systems with ABS' and 'Expensive hard to source Alfa parts'

Now I do have the car back, with working brakes. There is another problem. When I turn the steering wheel, I can clearly hear an awful groaning, straining noise. This only started after I picked the car up.

Could anything they've done to the brake system have caused this?
I know the garage are sick of the sight of the car, and probably me too. So I'd like to get your opinions on this before I go back in.

Thanks

PS. I'll get a YouTube clip up of the noise soon.

anonymous-user

75 months

Tuesday 8th January 2013
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Possibly power steering pump problem? Would sound like a macerator or waste disposal unit! I don't want to cast aspersions but power steering fluid and brake fluid are both in reservoirs, could it be possible that someone has mixed the two up when refilling brake fluid?

Parabola

Original Poster:

1,861 posts

218 months

Sunday 13th January 2013
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
That was my worry too. The power steering fluid was a little low.
Topping it up seems to have silenced the issue. Fingers crossed, that's it sorted!

anonymous-user

75 months

Monday 14th January 2013
quotequote all
Parabola said:
That was my worry too. The power steering fluid was a little low.
Topping it up seems to have silenced the issue. Fingers crossed, that's it sorted!
I guess you'll have to check if your rack or steering pipes are perished/chafed now to see if there's a leak in that system.