Suspension ongoing issues

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
My Alfa GT JTD with 65k on the clock drives like a boat so this week, in yet another attempt at to sort it, I have just ordered some Bilstein B4 front shocks.

The car has had in the last 25k miles:
Front roll bar complete
Both upper wishbones
Both drop links

When I go over potholes or over uneven roads, the thing bounces and rattles as it impacts, anyone got any other bright ideas???

Bilstein B4's worth going for or not? Got them for £127 delivered for the pair from Alternative Autos.
 

beautifulbusso

New Member
Messages
265
Seeing your issue reminds me of a similar issue my dads 147 has, his replaced the same bits and has a squeak, rattle or knock. I'm putting it down to everything being replaced except the lower arms, they may look okay but might have the slightest of play which is causing the issue.

While your at it, check the top mounts as they generally need replacing after around 10 years on the GTA, so worth checking on your JTD fella.

I like Bilsteins, good choice!!! :)
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Lower arms do look ok but I have been thinking about it. Looks like this is going to turn into an expensive one but I might as well do them if I have the strut out anyway.

Now, Alfa lower arms are expensive, and I have learn from upper arms not to go aftermarket, is this the case with the lowers too?
 

lisknik

Member
Messages
5,524
I got koni fsd's and eibachs all round on me 156. Briliant set up, corners nice and flat :)

Lower arms ain't bad, have a look at eb spares website :)
 

beautifulbusso

New Member
Messages
265
Lower arms do look ok but I have been thinking about it. Looks like this is going to turn into an expensive one but I might as well do them if I have the strut out anyway.

Now, Alfa lower arms are expensive, and I have learn from upper arms not to go aftermarket, is this the case with the lowers too?

I tried two sets of lower arms and barley lasted 6 months a time, go with OEM but will last...as I say, buy cheap buy twice!!!!

Well the lower arms looked fine on my dads 147, didn't squeak and hardly any movement but yet still they make a noise :(
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Thanks guys for the advice. I think Ill do the shocks first then do the lowers if that does not remedy it, TBH, I think shocks and lowers have both gone.
 

mr-mac

New Member
Messages
19
I got TRW lower arms on ebay from a german place for under half oem price (and delivered within 2 days).

Worth a hunt to see where best price for trw is at moment :)
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
I got TRW lower arms on ebay from a german place for under half oem price (and delivered within 2 days).

Worth a hunt to see where best price for trw is at moment :)

can't find them, can you have a look in your ebay history and post me a line?
 

mr-mac

New Member
Messages
19
Just confirmed free postage on each additional eligible item also responded quickly to a question.

Were a chunk cheaper than any UK supplier when I used them but not sure how land lies now (price last year was cheaper than an indy alfa specialist could get direct from trw).

Been on car two years now (cheap ones i can't even get a year out of)

John
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Not heard of Gates. Must confess I always pay the extra and go OEM Alfa/SKF when it comes to belts.
 

mr-mac

New Member
Messages
19
Gates are best belts you can buy :)

My 156 20v has gates kit for cambelt and aux (the gates cambelt kit had same make idler and tensioner as oem use, just a gates belt rather than dayco).

Oem are my first choice for lots of things but gates are my go to company for belts always. And no way in **** i'm buying an oem waterpump either hahaha fitted an SKF in hope they are better.

John
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
UPDATE

I have bought a pair of front Bilstein shocks and have found TRW OEM lower wishbones in France, delivered for £80.06 all in inc VAT and delivery from mister-auto.co.uk

Car goes in for some paint:
3 wheels
front bumper
rear bumper
front wings and bonnet.

Some girly hit me up the chuff on the M25 and managed to get both bumpers, and wheels for the £350 quoted and he only wanted another £200 to do the bonnet and wings so I thought what the h3ll.

Fit the suspensions and bones and it should be an up together car again!
 

lisknik

Member
Messages
5,524
Thats really good going all that, expecting two if not three bills that will be about the same on the 33 in the next few months or so. :)