Alfa Romeo GTV (916) - Azzurro Nuvola
Discussion
Unreal said:
Good work OP.
I'm not happy with the ride on my 3.0. It's Unacceptably harsh. It has been polybushed by a previous owner which is something I'd never do to a road car. That won't be helping but I'm not about to remove all the bushes.
Springs look ancient to me. Anyone able to recommend a good set up favouring ride comfort over performance with springs and shocks? Ultimate handling is low priority.
I have the orange Konis on my V6 which, along with reducing the wheel size from aftermarket 18s to 17" teledials, with new Michelin PS4s, greatly improved the ride.I'm not happy with the ride on my 3.0. It's Unacceptably harsh. It has been polybushed by a previous owner which is something I'd never do to a road car. That won't be helping but I'm not about to remove all the bushes.
Springs look ancient to me. Anyone able to recommend a good set up favouring ride comfort over performance with springs and shocks? Ultimate handling is low priority.
Yes I would heavily recommend smaller alloys if comfort is a priority. My wife has decided the current alloys are actually her preference, the soft edges 'match the non-lines from Pininfarina, and they are original for the car'. Argument over - the 16s are staying!
One satisfying little fix - the boot struts. They had failed, as always, to ensure that 50% of the time when the boot was open it would hilariously dent your skull or damage what you were removing/insering, unless a suitable prop was inserted. Exactly like my 164.
Some Alfa lore consultation revealed that not only were there cheaper alternatives available for replacement (156 bonnet strusts, no less), but that slightly stronger ones were required for the Zender equipped boot with a spoiler.
Original part number 60657665 can be found for £50 or something silly, per strut. Uprated 156 bonnet struts - one pair from Meyle for £35 delivered.
Standard screwdriver/clip removal, with a fair bit of delving into the trim to get the old ones out.
Nice. Much better!
One satisfying little fix - the boot struts. They had failed, as always, to ensure that 50% of the time when the boot was open it would hilariously dent your skull or damage what you were removing/insering, unless a suitable prop was inserted. Exactly like my 164.
Some Alfa lore consultation revealed that not only were there cheaper alternatives available for replacement (156 bonnet strusts, no less), but that slightly stronger ones were required for the Zender equipped boot with a spoiler.
Original part number 60657665 can be found for £50 or something silly, per strut. Uprated 156 bonnet struts - one pair from Meyle for £35 delivered.
Standard screwdriver/clip removal, with a fair bit of delving into the trim to get the old ones out.
Nice. Much better!
Spinakerr said:
Yes I would heavily recommend smaller alloys if comfort is a priority. My wife has decided the current alloys are actually her preference, the soft edges 'match the non-lines from Pininfarina, and they are original for the car'. Argument over - the 16s are staying!
One satisfying little fix - the boot struts. They had failed, as always, to ensure that 50% of the time when the boot was open it would hilariously dent your skull or damage what you were removing/insering, unless a suitable prop was inserted. Exactly like my 164.
Some Alfa lore consultation revealed that not only were there cheaper alternatives available for replacement (156 bonnet strusts, no less), but that slightly stronger ones were required for the Zender equipped boot with a spoiler.
Original part number 60657665 can be found for £50 or something silly, per strut. Uprated 156 bonnet struts - one pair from Meyle for £35 delivered.
Standard screwdriver/clip removal, with a fair bit of delving into the trim to get the old ones out.
Nice. Much better!
Nice work! I read that a small mod with fitting 159 boot struts to the GTV lid would cause a proper boot release, springing open on the button. Great cost saving tip with the 156 bonnet struts though, will remember that one.One satisfying little fix - the boot struts. They had failed, as always, to ensure that 50% of the time when the boot was open it would hilariously dent your skull or damage what you were removing/insering, unless a suitable prop was inserted. Exactly like my 164.
Some Alfa lore consultation revealed that not only were there cheaper alternatives available for replacement (156 bonnet strusts, no less), but that slightly stronger ones were required for the Zender equipped boot with a spoiler.
Original part number 60657665 can be found for £50 or something silly, per strut. Uprated 156 bonnet struts - one pair from Meyle for £35 delivered.
Standard screwdriver/clip removal, with a fair bit of delving into the trim to get the old ones out.
Nice. Much better!
I'd get back on to the GTV breaker and see if you can have a front numberplate mount, would finish off the refreshed plate nicely. Your oil consumption does sound slightly alarming, I topped up my TS occasionally, an E46 325i I had was far worse as I recall.
How's the 164 doing?
Thanks all, its continuing to rack up the miles and is a joy to drive. If the test is 'do you look back at the car after locking it' this is probably the winner of the fleet at the moment!
With a bit of vehicular logitistics planned this week spelling a good few miles for the GTV, I decided to actually change the oil at 74k, rather than just top it up.
I had noted the oil filter had rust bubbles - always a good sign on a car with no history - and the drain plug looked to be a traditional Alfa 10mm hex. Access for the oil pan was tight so I utilised a nearby scissor jack (cue alarm comments) to just raise the front a slight amount and apply some penetrating fluid.
Whoever put this sump plug back in last time - I curse you. They must have used a breaker par or rattle gun, and I added extensions until it finally gave. Definitely in danger of breaking the allen key!
Darkest ichor poured forth...
The filter, belying its looks, came off with little effort.
I don't like the look of that kinked oil hose that's turned green though...
Nor the cracked CV inners and various other bits under here. Oh well, more for the to-do list.
Another few hundred miles ticked off, and no ill effects. Here it is taking us safly back from a very remote campsite. Amazingly the GTV handled the bumpy farm roads and fields with aplomb - maybe due to its weight? Other electric SUVs seemed to struggle on a 2% non-tarmac incline. We didnt stop to help.
thomasrs50 said:
Great car (but I'm a bit biased) and lovely colour (silver and AN are my favourite GTV colours).
Good info on the boot struts, since I need new ones for my GTV Cup.
Yes it doesnt 'auto open' with weight of the Zender spoiler, but it does stay up. Recommended.Good info on the boot struts, since I need new ones for my GTV Cup.
With a bit of vehicular logitistics planned this week spelling a good few miles for the GTV, I decided to actually change the oil at 74k, rather than just top it up.
I had noted the oil filter had rust bubbles - always a good sign on a car with no history - and the drain plug looked to be a traditional Alfa 10mm hex. Access for the oil pan was tight so I utilised a nearby scissor jack (cue alarm comments) to just raise the front a slight amount and apply some penetrating fluid.
Whoever put this sump plug back in last time - I curse you. They must have used a breaker par or rattle gun, and I added extensions until it finally gave. Definitely in danger of breaking the allen key!
Darkest ichor poured forth...
The filter, belying its looks, came off with little effort.
I don't like the look of that kinked oil hose that's turned green though...
Nor the cracked CV inners and various other bits under here. Oh well, more for the to-do list.
Another few hundred miles ticked off, and no ill effects. Here it is taking us safly back from a very remote campsite. Amazingly the GTV handled the bumpy farm roads and fields with aplomb - maybe due to its weight? Other electric SUVs seemed to struggle on a 2% non-tarmac incline. We didnt stop to help.
Edited by Spinakerr on Sunday 8th October 19:36
Glad the oil service was okay in the end was thinking you might be welding something to that sump plug.
Did you replace it with a regular hex bolt?
I do find the Gtv so easy to drive thanks to the torque and weight distribution on inclines newer cars have me hoping I don’t need to slow any further
Did you replace it with a regular hex bolt?
I do find the Gtv so easy to drive thanks to the torque and weight distribution on inclines newer cars have me hoping I don’t need to slow any further
V6Nelo said:
Glad the oil service was okay in the end was thinking you might be welding something to that sump plug.
Did you replace it with a regular hex bolt?
I do find the Gtv so easy to drive thanks to the torque and weight distribution on inclines newer cars have me hoping I don’t need to slow any further
I did not, no, but I tightened it with a hand tool carefully, rather than a scaffolding pole! I've also just realised I put in 5W30, which I don't remember ordering as all the cars are 10W40. Hey ho, I'm sure it will survive a little while with thinner stuff and perhaps another change in 2k miles will be good for the engine.Did you replace it with a regular hex bolt?
I do find the Gtv so easy to drive thanks to the torque and weight distribution on inclines newer cars have me hoping I don’t need to slow any further
A little underbonnet tidying yesterday, as I spotted a melted wire in the fan circuit, above the radiator. This is a common fault with heat cycles, but glad I spotted it!
I've cut off all the meltiness and put two new connectors on it and a temporary sheath - does anyone know if there is an integrated fuse in this or a well-troden fix/upgrade I should be executing?
Naturally, as soon as the bonnet was open I got carried away cleaning everything and checking all the other wires and componentry for burns, bodges and cable ties.
The engine cover and other components reacted positively to a gentle spruce up.
Before:
After:
I also took the opportunity to renew washers, rusted screws and other fixings with grease. This is one of those therapeutic hours where I really start to get to know the car - making notes of issues and areas to address while gentle bringing it up to a clean standard where I can spot leaks in future.
Much better! Though of course this doesn't solve the case of the melted wire.
I couldn't sleep last night - something electrical was wrong... was it the house? No... still standing... the kitchen? All safe, no smell of burning... Of course! [Dramatic throwing of bedcoverings] The Alfa!
Clearly even Alfa wouldn't just have two wire of different colours connected - a quick check of wiring diagrams suggested a resistor was missing... I should have known.
Item 9 is missing, there is even a hole for it in the shroud.
Part number 51736821 from Autolusso should be right (single fan, red body). A much better night's sleep tonight, thank goodness.
Clearly even Alfa wouldn't just have two wire of different colours connected - a quick check of wiring diagrams suggested a resistor was missing... I should have known.
Item 9 is missing, there is even a hole for it in the shroud.
Part number 51736821 from Autolusso should be right (single fan, red body). A much better night's sleep tonight, thank goodness.
carinaman said:
Good work figuring out the AWOL resistor pack. The trader left the advert up for a while, it's still looking good value to me when some people are asking similar money for long parked up ones in the same colour that require a complete respray.
Yes, well... they may be good value at that money, but only if it doesnt require a bouquet of significant maintenace. This car will need some love.The resistor arrived fromt he breaker, tested perfectly and I soldered some proper connectors on. Fitting was quick and full functionality has resumed - luckily no apparent side effects from the melty interlude.
The slam panel has been sprayed when the bumper has been off, bizarrely, and started to flake. A £20 original item with the standard stickers restored the looks after I had fettled the bonnet catches correctly, and it came wiht the correct rubber front lip.
Over the past 500 miles the oil level had fallen faster than before. Somewhat alarmed, I grabbed the 5L container to top it off... and realised it said 5W30 on the side. Ugh - too thin! My order and invoice for 10W40 was correct but a stray 5W30 had found its way into my 4 order in the summer.
As I had been a little worried about the oil consumption, I took this as a sign to experiment with 10W60. Internet folklore gets a little combatative on when this oil either started being recommend, used, or being an option for Alfa 16V Twinsparks, but some user report symptom reduction with its use.
The 5W30 was significantly black on exit... I think it was a good idea to 'flush' the system with it for 500 miles. I'll just assert that was my plan all along.
Luckily, the sump plug had been torqued in correctly by the last diligent oil changer, so this was a very quick job.
The result? 500 further miles on and about 1/4 of the consumption, and no leaks! None. Nada.
Smirking from this win, my wife reported the blower fans and air con had stopped, but only afetr plugging a charger into the cigarette socket. Hmm... the forum reported the fan circuit sharing the fuse as the lighter in the UK market... sure enough, a blown 20A. The fuse box is mounted on the 'roof' of the footwell, but hinges down. Neat eh?
20A blown. Replacement.... and seems to work. We shall monitor. The 12V socket is manky and needs to be replaced - I'm suspecting a dirty socket plus miserable cheap USB charger = frazzliness.
Aside - does anyone know what this yellow unit that is unplugged on my car does? Immobiliser?
More parts ordered for November MOT...
An autumn trip to Wales with a good friend has become a regular fixture of my calendar, but three weeks ago I realised netiher of us had a decent-sized saloon or estate car to use. While his MX-5 had a normal-ish boot, the GTV had back seats, and it had proved extremely reliable since purchase.
WIth some trepidation I packed in the wet weather gear, first aid kit, poles, boots and tea required for a trip to Snowdonia...
As with the long Cornwall trip, the GTV was perfect. It swallowed my friend's gear with room to spare and naturally ate up the A and B roads en route. Despite the potholes, farm tracks and lashing rain, the little Alfa was indominatable.
I'm glad we stayed with smaller alloys and bigger tyres - the ride is fantastic. The upgraded headlights, reconditioned brakes and grip could not be faulted - it was a truly great 4 days.
At the top of Cadair Idris we scurried inside the shelter as pea-sized hail battered us into submission. Two hours later in the car park the GTV took our sodden gear, muddy boots and took us to the nearest open-fire pub without a fuss.
Some water ingress on the window seals, but nothing I worry about.
At the approach to Portmerion we spotted a garage stocking some eclectic cars - I had to stop and take a few pictures. A W8 and a VR6 - it was an alphanumeric heaven.
Remember these 90s signs?
Next up - MOT timeand I'm taking it to Phil to give it a proper once over given his massive experience. Let's see what lurks beneath...
WIth some trepidation I packed in the wet weather gear, first aid kit, poles, boots and tea required for a trip to Snowdonia...
As with the long Cornwall trip, the GTV was perfect. It swallowed my friend's gear with room to spare and naturally ate up the A and B roads en route. Despite the potholes, farm tracks and lashing rain, the little Alfa was indominatable.
I'm glad we stayed with smaller alloys and bigger tyres - the ride is fantastic. The upgraded headlights, reconditioned brakes and grip could not be faulted - it was a truly great 4 days.
At the top of Cadair Idris we scurried inside the shelter as pea-sized hail battered us into submission. Two hours later in the car park the GTV took our sodden gear, muddy boots and took us to the nearest open-fire pub without a fuss.
Some water ingress on the window seals, but nothing I worry about.
At the approach to Portmerion we spotted a garage stocking some eclectic cars - I had to stop and take a few pictures. A W8 and a VR6 - it was an alphanumeric heaven.
Remember these 90s signs?
Next up - MOT timeand I'm taking it to Phil to give it a proper once over given his massive experience. Let's see what lurks beneath...
Edited by Spinakerr on Sunday 12th November 18:40
With the MOT due and weather/time not suitable for crawling around on the driveway, I ordered a few parts from Alfashop to (hopefully) ensure a pass - two inner CV boots were cracked, drop links looks ready to drop and a RH wishbone to match the recent LH replacement. The ball joint was also oozing, so keen to prevent any further issue.
Luckily, Phil of Alfacraft, now operating from a new location, was free for a few days to do this work, and I was very happy to see him and Senna the alsatian on good form! His Alfasud project is coming along nicely, so hopefully more on that next time.
Two days later and all done - MOT sercured and the general prognosis ont he car was 'Yeah its alright isn't it?'. Given his usual opinion of the my vehicles, I count that as high praise.
As a reward for the car, I took a look at the interior. Parts of the trim have suffered over the years from damp, water ingress and general UV attacks - most obvious in my eyeline are the A pillar trims, so I set about finding replacements.
The Phase 1 darker plastic has more of a traditional 90s durability to them over this 'thin fabric that attracts stains', plus they were very dark blue/black, so I eventually secured some A and B pillars.
Luckily removal of the A is easy - a careful upwards movementand the retaining clips come away. Some were missing on my original and new sets, so I transferred them over for a full compliment.
That was satisfying.
The B pillars were a little more tricky, with the seatbelt to be unscrewed (17mm socket) and the larger interior trim to be moved. Someone had been here before, cracking the plastic, so careful encouragement was the order of the day.
Done! Unfortuantely C pillars in the matching colour are few and far between. The above set was very cheap, but the only C set I could find is in Germany for 140 quid. I think we can leave that for the moment!
Luckily, Phil of Alfacraft, now operating from a new location, was free for a few days to do this work, and I was very happy to see him and Senna the alsatian on good form! His Alfasud project is coming along nicely, so hopefully more on that next time.
Two days later and all done - MOT sercured and the general prognosis ont he car was 'Yeah its alright isn't it?'. Given his usual opinion of the my vehicles, I count that as high praise.
As a reward for the car, I took a look at the interior. Parts of the trim have suffered over the years from damp, water ingress and general UV attacks - most obvious in my eyeline are the A pillar trims, so I set about finding replacements.
The Phase 1 darker plastic has more of a traditional 90s durability to them over this 'thin fabric that attracts stains', plus they were very dark blue/black, so I eventually secured some A and B pillars.
Luckily removal of the A is easy - a careful upwards movementand the retaining clips come away. Some were missing on my original and new sets, so I transferred them over for a full compliment.
That was satisfying.
The B pillars were a little more tricky, with the seatbelt to be unscrewed (17mm socket) and the larger interior trim to be moved. Someone had been here before, cracking the plastic, so careful encouragement was the order of the day.
Done! Unfortuantely C pillars in the matching colour are few and far between. The above set was very cheap, but the only C set I could find is in Germany for 140 quid. I think we can leave that for the moment!
You are making me yearn for another gtv now, the previous 9 hold very fine memories, even the one I owned for 24hours.
A ph1 2.0 was my first Alfa in 2007, bought from a man called John Wayne...
Camping, fishing trips, thrashing round Wales, even moved house once with a gtv, they handled everything.
It is I know a skewed view... When I look at my 630i, I see and feel it as a grown up V6 gtv, I can give it no higher praise.
A ph1 2.0 was my first Alfa in 2007, bought from a man called John Wayne...
Camping, fishing trips, thrashing round Wales, even moved house once with a gtv, they handled everything.
It is I know a skewed view... When I look at my 630i, I see and feel it as a grown up V6 gtv, I can give it no higher praise.
waynedear said:
You are making me yearn for another gtv now, the previous 9 hold very fine memories, even the one I owned for 24hours.
A ph1 2.0 was my first Alfa in 2007, bought from a man called John Wayne...
Camping, fishing trips, thrashing round Wales, even moved house once with a gtv, they handled everything.
It is I know a skewed view... When I look at my 630i, I see and feel it as a grown up V6 gtv, I can give it no higher praise.
Nine! I would definitely be keen to hear more - I know you have a few threads going but any choice 916 anecdotes? A ph1 2.0 was my first Alfa in 2007, bought from a man called John Wayne...
Camping, fishing trips, thrashing round Wales, even moved house once with a gtv, they handled everything.
It is I know a skewed view... When I look at my 630i, I see and feel it as a grown up V6 gtv, I can give it no higher praise.
Did you call the John Wayne one 'Dollar'?
With a successful MOT comes more disassembly and careful fettling. I had noticed the airbox was looking miserable, as did the filter and general bracketry for the convoluted air run. After amassing a fair few parts from breakers and eBay, I got stuck in.
A handful of 10mm bolts and jubilee clips later - the old airbox on the right with bodges, holes and splits; the new (to me) part on the left.
The air filter bracket took some muttering to loosen, but gave up when I showed it the Bilt Hamber and Stahlwille.
The fittings for the airbox are reknowned for rust, seizing and general misery. This car was no exception - each one fought me - rounding, cracking the plastic fittings or complete failure at every step. This last 10mm nut on the box really drove me over the edge - nothing would budge it, and I was in danger of cracking the plastic lid...
...so I deployed the Dremel.
A quick pass with the rotary brush on the angle grinder later, and some parts are starting to look respectable.
Some Bilt Hamber Hydrate to convert the rust, and rain stopped play for a few days.
(I'll leave out the bit where the angle grinder got caught, leapt out my hands and flew onto my ankle, making a small roulade of sock, wire brush and ankle. I stopped there, retreated inside to have a warm cup of TCP, and wondered how on earth it managed to find the one place on my body not covered in protective gear.)
I also ordered an air filter, as while the encumbent was an original Alfa Romeo Genuine Parts Original Ricambi (Italy) 60603977, it was also rusty and potentially the original one!
A few days later... a snorkel from a later Phase 3 GTV JTS arrived - the original was missing and opening the filter up to all sorts of road related detritus - and I worked my way through all the parts to select the best of the bunch.
After sanding down the Bilt Hamber coat slightly, I opted for layers of stonechip for durability for the bracket and retaining metal banana pieces.
It does seem to be a needlessly complicated setup - snorkel (ok), airbox (right), in a cradle (yes...), with a giant filter and separate little plastic teacup in the box, and another plastic bit to hold the filter at the top (ok, but...) then a lid with three screws that dissolve into brass and plastic fittings (why?) and a two piece bracket (what?) holding the MAF into a rubber bung with three nuts that dissolve onto three studs (eh?) that also hold another L shaped bracket onto a catch can (now hold on...) onto the intake hose ...
Madness.
Snorkel test fit - looks good, and 18 inches further for salt, dirt and badgers to go before they start to be a problem for the car. New 10mm bolts and liberal copper slip in every thread spotted.
Bracket in with 17mm bolts, new rubber bung at the bottom to locate the airbox.
Done. And while maligned, it does all look neat and is very satisfying as a job to renew.
Edited by Spinakerr on Friday 24th November 22:42
Nine! I would definitely be keen to hear more - I know you have a few threads going but any choice 916 anecdotes?
Did you call the John Wayne one 'Dollar'?
The blue twinny was my first Alfa in 07 and gave me many 'first times'... Sold and bought back, sadly lost to rust.
The first time I went out in my red V6 did not end well, she was repaired and tuned by Alfatune, drive into the back of a transit... Sold it.
28 Alfas in total, still have the 156 and Giulietta.
Did you call the John Wayne one 'Dollar'?
The blue twinny was my first Alfa in 07 and gave me many 'first times'... Sold and bought back, sadly lost to rust.
The first time I went out in my red V6 did not end well, she was repaired and tuned by Alfatune, drive into the back of a transit... Sold it.
28 Alfas in total, still have the 156 and Giulietta.
The GTV continues to solve daily driving duties - we took a quick break away for New Years and came back to Gatwick parking to have it start on the button, then emerged into one of the heaviest rainstorms I have seen! WIth the M25 closed, and the usual hair-raising behaviour of other drivers ploughing through standing water at 70mph, my wife gently nosed the GTV through London A roads to home.
Twice we spotted vehicles that had tailgated/overtaken or sped past us (clearly diverted fromt he motorway) subsequently stranded after crashign into kerbs or losing it on roundabouts. Fools are never far away in bad weather.
Fortunately the newish set of Falkens were controllable, and we remarked how the fitting of the 'snorkel' to the air intake was thankfully done!
Today I checked the intake and it still has some water in it, so I've drilled a small drain hole, and fitted a screw to bolters the friction fit.
Next up - the scaberous radiator support.
One of the well-established rusty bits on GTVs, ours was defintiely at the end of its life. I had ordered the stainless Autolusso replacement a few months ago, and given it a sand, zinc primer and the stonechip coats. With the weatehr not improving, I jacked up the car and doused the bolts in PlusGas. Fortunately they all came free.
Miserable thing, crustier than a slice of burnt toat for Captain Ahab.
New item with its fresh stonechip and titanium bolts...
...but it would fit. Either the front impact that prompted bumper/fan/front end faffing had put items out of alignment, or the new Autlusso part was slightly off.
I deployed my drill with a metal bit to open up the holes a bit, chucked on some fresh stonechip and it all went together nicely.
I'm sure I'll be back here when the radiator needs replacement. Which it may do...along with the themostat... as the level is gradually dropping.
Naturally, I couldnt let some rusty unrelated bolts stay once I'd spied them.
Hula hula washers deployed. Don't worry, they're now straight.
Next up - steering wheel and gearknob...
Twice we spotted vehicles that had tailgated/overtaken or sped past us (clearly diverted fromt he motorway) subsequently stranded after crashign into kerbs or losing it on roundabouts. Fools are never far away in bad weather.
Fortunately the newish set of Falkens were controllable, and we remarked how the fitting of the 'snorkel' to the air intake was thankfully done!
Today I checked the intake and it still has some water in it, so I've drilled a small drain hole, and fitted a screw to bolters the friction fit.
Next up - the scaberous radiator support.
One of the well-established rusty bits on GTVs, ours was defintiely at the end of its life. I had ordered the stainless Autolusso replacement a few months ago, and given it a sand, zinc primer and the stonechip coats. With the weatehr not improving, I jacked up the car and doused the bolts in PlusGas. Fortunately they all came free.
Miserable thing, crustier than a slice of burnt toat for Captain Ahab.
New item with its fresh stonechip and titanium bolts...
...but it would fit. Either the front impact that prompted bumper/fan/front end faffing had put items out of alignment, or the new Autlusso part was slightly off.
I deployed my drill with a metal bit to open up the holes a bit, chucked on some fresh stonechip and it all went together nicely.
I'm sure I'll be back here when the radiator needs replacement. Which it may do...along with the themostat... as the level is gradually dropping.
Naturally, I couldnt let some rusty unrelated bolts stay once I'd spied them.
Hula hula washers deployed. Don't worry, they're now straight.
Next up - steering wheel and gearknob...
My typical 'new car' pattern for the first year has three certainties: four new tyres, new numberplates and then a steering wheel and gearknob.
For the GTV, the original items looked quite tired - shiny wheel, well-used gearknob.
Some trawling of the Alfa forums confirmed that wooden wheels were available (wife's preference) and that several gearknobs would fit, but I struggled to find a combination that really sunk its fangs into my brainstem. The blue/cream interior already had a fair bit goign on, with black details... wood would add fussiness.
Triangulating rumours, it appeared the 166 wheel would fit - this led to a conversation with parts store in Italy, and a month later a slightly expensive package turned up, from the correct place, and with a lot of 'Momo' stickers on it...
I had secured a NOS 166 Momo dark blue/cream wheel and gearknob option pack - on the shelf for 20 years.
It even came with sealed pictorial instructions...
First step, disconnect battery, then Torx T30 bit on three screws to dislodge the airbag:
Carefully unplug, declip and loosen wiring, noting the routing of the horn and airbag connectors.
A good hand-hammering on the wheel with the 24mm nut loosened again allowed me to sidestep buying a 'special tool'.
Re-lubricate the sticky indicator cancellors while I'm here...
Remove the horn bit with three screws...
Replace some missing bolts int he steering wheel shroud while I have this opened up - another rattling source solved!
Add the bits to the new wheel....and put everythign back togetehr - you'll have to skip to the end for the final reveal!
Gearknob 'just pulls off', which as we know results in a black eye if completed incorrectly.
Replacing the gaitor with the 166 item - this one can safely go in the bin...
But wait... how do we cover that hole for the grub screw?
Ah yes, a bespoke enamel Alfa Romeo badge... of course.
Cue fireworks and gasps for the big reveal:
Well, we're happy. The dark blue is a perfect match for the rest of the interior, the cream... not perfect but I suspect the leatehr seats were recoloured at some point. If/when we get them refurbished we can get them to a close match. For now, as always, the new 'tactile inputs' make this feel like a new car.
For the GTV, the original items looked quite tired - shiny wheel, well-used gearknob.
Some trawling of the Alfa forums confirmed that wooden wheels were available (wife's preference) and that several gearknobs would fit, but I struggled to find a combination that really sunk its fangs into my brainstem. The blue/cream interior already had a fair bit goign on, with black details... wood would add fussiness.
Triangulating rumours, it appeared the 166 wheel would fit - this led to a conversation with parts store in Italy, and a month later a slightly expensive package turned up, from the correct place, and with a lot of 'Momo' stickers on it...
I had secured a NOS 166 Momo dark blue/cream wheel and gearknob option pack - on the shelf for 20 years.
It even came with sealed pictorial instructions...
First step, disconnect battery, then Torx T30 bit on three screws to dislodge the airbag:
Carefully unplug, declip and loosen wiring, noting the routing of the horn and airbag connectors.
A good hand-hammering on the wheel with the 24mm nut loosened again allowed me to sidestep buying a 'special tool'.
Re-lubricate the sticky indicator cancellors while I'm here...
Remove the horn bit with three screws...
Replace some missing bolts int he steering wheel shroud while I have this opened up - another rattling source solved!
Add the bits to the new wheel....and put everythign back togetehr - you'll have to skip to the end for the final reveal!
Gearknob 'just pulls off', which as we know results in a black eye if completed incorrectly.
Replacing the gaitor with the 166 item - this one can safely go in the bin...
But wait... how do we cover that hole for the grub screw?
Ah yes, a bespoke enamel Alfa Romeo badge... of course.
Cue fireworks and gasps for the big reveal:
Well, we're happy. The dark blue is a perfect match for the rest of the interior, the cream... not perfect but I suspect the leatehr seats were recoloured at some point. If/when we get them refurbished we can get them to a close match. For now, as always, the new 'tactile inputs' make this feel like a new car.
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