suspension noise

[DDALFA]

hi all you alfa champs!...

i have 156 jts 2.0 and its been 2 months since i bought it second hand 2002 made 57 k on odo...runs absolutely fine but recently past 2 days whenever i go over a bump or a small pot hole ,...i get a strong single hammering noice as if the spring is hitting some metal or more appropriately the rim hitting the road ......i checked the tire pressure ..no problem at all ....when i looked at suspension right at the bottom of the spring where it sits there is a loose rubber sort of thing protruding out....

Is there something expensive broken ........is it serious? i have attached photos .....

All you alfa gurus please advice

[Tristan Atkins]

Hi DDALFA,

I'm not certain but it looks like the rubber sping seat has either become dislodeged or has perished. The purpose of the rubber seat is to prevent that metal on metal, hammering noise that you are hearing when you drive over a pot hole, bumps etc.

It also looks like the spring may not be seated properly. I know on the 116 the rear spings always twang into place after jacking the rear of the car.

I'm not an expert on the 156 but if there isn't ay pre-load on the spring in full droop you might be able to rotate the spring back into position and check the seat while you are there. If there is pre-load you'll have to take it to someone with apring compressor.

Best of luck with sorting it out,

Tristan

[DDALFA]

Hi tristan,

Appretiate your reply regarding the problem my alfa has....it scares hell out of me when i hear such noices ...i enjoy every ride i have in it ....but i have hearld lots about reliability of its parts.


thanks for your advice ...cheers!

[John Hanslow]

Get your car (front end ) checked out by an Alfa Specialist or dealer.  Refer homepage with link on top right hand side.

147 & 156 era cars can have issues in that area so its is important to get the right info and access to suitable replacement parts, bushes etc.

Cheers.

[Delta]

What John said.

Looks like you have done the shocker by the amount of fluid on the spring.

[DDALFA]

hi delta ...didnt quite get what you ment by that? do i need to replace the shocks ....could you give me an any idea of how much i will be donating to my yearly alfa fund! this time !

cheers!

[Simon Aarons]

Get your car (front end ) checked out by an Alfa Specialist or dealer.  Refer homepage with link on top right hand side.

The majority of people on this forum are not Alfa mechanics. Take your car to a specialist and they will tell you how much it will cost and they will fix it. You are probably doing more damage the more you drive the car and therefore you will spend even more money fixing things that wouldn't of needed fixing if you got the suspension looked at as soon as you noticed the noise.

[John Hanslow]

Hopefully you just need to replace the bush or spring seat, but an Alfa Specialist will have access to factory and aftermarket parts.  You never know as some bushes are being manufactured here to save complete part replacement.

Check out our sponsors and make a few calls and see how you go.

Cheers.

[DDALFA]

Thanks John,

That sounds good !...


Cheers!

[Delta]

Actually,  I am an ex-mechanic...

You will probably find that the shocker/strut has been leaking and therefore damaged the rubber mount. The banging noise you are hearing (my guess from seeing those photos) is the suspension being fully depressed as it has no way of dampening the impact as the wheel comes up and out of the pot hole. There are ways of testing the operation of the shocker without picking up a tool however you have to know what you are looking for. If I was handed your job sheet that would be the first thing I would check given the amount of fluid around the base of the spring - a McPherson strut is a McPherson strut on any make of car.

Oh, and ALWAYS take your car to a repairer associated with the club or of course a dealer

[DDALFA]

HI delta,

thanks for the advice ....i will wash the car and see if more fluid is leaking out ....i couldnt say whether its strut fluid or the tyre shine spray i spray every now and then on my tyres.....and i will certainly rush to one of our sponcer dealers to get it assesed and fixeed.....cheers for your help.

[DDALFA]

Hey guys,

got suspension checked with the alfa specialist .....the noise was due to the worn out rubber on which the spring sits...which was due to the oil leakage from shocks ....got it changed as well (Second hand)....alltogether $250 for those who has the same problem .....no more knocking noice now ...car runs beautifull...thanks for all the suggestions and advice ...

Cheers!

[John Hanslow]

Thanks for the update and your note of thanks.

It's good to see your post of the positive outcome and advice.

Cheers.