105 Steering Upgrades for tighter response

[Angellino]

I have a recently purchased 1970 1750 steering is a bit loose, bushes etc in good condition, and fully appreciate 50 year old car.

Just wondering what is possible to get tighter steering, what upgrades are possible and who supplies parts.

I know Alfaholics supply some top shelf full rebuild upgrades but don't have deep pockets unfortunately.

What is possible in a practical sense, can you get tighter steering boxes and or GTA style upgrade parts?

Whats would be the easiest and most practical way to get tighter more responsive steering?

Many thanks for your shared experience and knowledge upfront, see images behind wheels, not sure if this shows whats required?

[GoldCLoverLeaf]

You mention bushings, but have you checked all the tie-rod ends / balljoints?

If they are good, the steering box and or idler could be the problem, not an uncommon issue.

105's have pretty sharp steering as standard, so start with the basics before looking at modifications.

https://www.qvae.com.au/steering-boxes

[GG105]

Angellino, I agree with GoldCloverLeaf.

When everything's in good condition it should steer very well. It won't be as direct as a modern electric set up with rat and pidgeon, they have a small amount of movement around the straight ahead, but it should steer well.

I provided some broad views on your other thread. Like most of 105s, your car has lived a life, it has non-standard springs, I assume lowered? Bilsteins, new ant-roll bar links, the wheels are wider and it looks like it has extractors? It must be fairly loud without the first muffler.

The problem most people new to 105s have is precisely this one, because most have been modified, you don't have the datum point of a stock one in good condition to work from. What happens then is that you end up modifying modifications and trying to figure out what it should be like and the result you want.

I was lucky, my Giulia came with the two litre and the only suspension mod was wider wheels which I removed because they wouldn't fit inside the rear wheel arches and I didn't want to modify them. Over a period of time, I progressively worked on the suspension, first thing was to get it all to factory specs, I rebuilt the steering box, put adjustable top arms in it, then Bilsteins, then heavier progressive rate front springs, then lowered it a bit, then adjusted it with about 2-2.5 degrees of neg and a heavier front bar. All this was over a period of years.

Meanwhile, I went through three sets of rear springs (long story), rear sway bar off, then on, then off again with adjustable Konis of soft, bushes, limit straps etc.

These cars are so sensitive to changes, I could feel the difference in the steering between the steel 1750 wheels it has on it and a set of 14" GTA replica alloys. Both wheels had the same tyres, the difference was the offset.

The point of all this ramble is that when you start work on these cars, you need to have an objective. The objective with my Giulia was to make it a bit of a Q car, keep it looking mostly stock, hence the steelies and hubcaps, improve its handling to match the power, whilst lowering it as little as possible to retain the good ride. Because no one takes it seriously, its been a lot of fun. It is a bit too loud these days, so I might have to quieten it down a bit...

All the best with your project.

[vin sharp]

Hi,
I have a top ball-joint riser/(knuckle-riser) set that corrects geometry when a 105 is lowered. While the primary function is camber & roll control, one of the side benefits is that it also sharpens the steering response from the straight-ahead. Of course, this doesn't negate the need for good condition bushes & joints etc.
If you want any more information: vsharp105@gmail.com
Cheers,
Vin

[Angellino]

Thanks for all the love fellow Alfisti, I have Luke on the case, will get him to check out when car goes down, it already has adjustable GTA arms, he will check over the steering box if it requires recon, but will definitely ask him to check out Vin's correcting ball-joint riser knuckle.

Thanks for all the recommendations and help, taking it all in with appreciation.

[Colin Edwards]

+1 for Vins knuckle risers.  I have a set on my 75 and they work a treat with regard to camber change in roll.  No need for unrealistic and impractical front roll stiffness.
Adding a smidgeon more caster if possible should be on your list of suspension "tweaks" to consider.  More caster will make the steering "feel" heavier and more loaded.