Transaxle Chapter and Verse

[MD]

FyInn,

From the dealings I have had with these people, the transactions went well and the parts were good. I have never purchased synchro components from them so I cannot comment other than that they do not sell synchro dogs unless you buy the entire gear that it's fitted to at the same time.

However, I know for sure that I will never do business with Milano Spares again having purchased synchro components only to receive parts that were fractured (see photos) but allegedly new and despite returning the parts as instructed, I am still awaiting a refund for same. Numerous emails requesting a refund has just fallen on deaf ears. Not only that but the synchro hub supplied had to be machined at my expense otherwise it just wouldn't engage.

All I am saying FyInn is to be careful in researching your supplier -as difficult as that may be from time to time.

[Fylnn]

My giulietta Uses to crunch 2nd and 3rd really really bad so I gave this product a go  http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?catid=7&iid=25&loc=show and the gearbox felt like it was brand new , I could basicly slam it Into any gear at hIgh revs and it slipped into gear like a glove.

I tried the Lucasoil in the transaxle today and it does seem to have made a major improvement.  Except that forget about 2nd gear when it is stone cold.  Might get me through a bit longer but need to think about a rebuild it seems.  I spoke to Avanti and sometime soon looking to take the box down to them for a bit of attention.  One note of cauton seemed to be that the quality of synchros available now aren't quite what they used to be.  From what I have seen on AlfaBB people like Vin Sharp have been complaining about them.  Not sure what the solution is but I am sure Avanti will do what they can. 

[Darryl]

Spruell are very helpful - I've bought a bit of stuff off them and had an issue with a part once (that they were very happy to address without any hassles at all). And you can always give them a call of an evening (if only to confirm order details and credit card # - they don't have online credit card facilities).

[alfagtv58]

Got some man time on the weekend so I pulled my transaxle out after it went kaput at Eastern Creek.  I did the usual cursing at the bolts that hold the drive shafts on (the Allen head ones), what are they M8 x 1.0???  Anyway, has anyone replaced these with hex head? I hate getting 11 of the 12 out and spending 2 hours trying to get that last stubborn bastard out while rounding off my 'good' 6mm Allen key, skinning knuckles and teaching my 4 year old a vocabulary his mother was quite shocked to hear regurgitated.

[Anthony Miller]

Phil, I used a 6mm hex with a 1/2 inch square drive from a rattle gun tool set on my giuli, you have to go to a real tool shop though to get one that wont round off. Now I'm lazy and get Bruno to do it

[aggie57]

Got some man time on the weekend so I pulled my transaxle out after it went kaput at Eastern Creek.  I did the usual cursing at the bolts that hold the drive shafts on (the Allen head ones), what are they M8 x 1.0???  Anyway, has anyone replaced these with hex head? I hate getting 11 of the 12 out and spending 2 hours trying to get that last stubborn bastard out while rounding off my 'good' 6mm Allen key, skinning knuckles and teaching my 4 year old a vocabulary his mother was quite shocked to hear regurgitated.

Phil - just cut the head off any that won't budge with a 4" grinder and replace them afterwards.  Once the half shaft is off the rest of the bolt spins out by hand (but remember it will be rather warm for a while!).

[alfagtv58]

Thanks Aggie, thats what I am used to doing....but I am tiring of it.  In fact when I pulled it out the first time I think I had to grind almost all of them after many years in place.

A good idea Anthony, we use those at work for similar stubborn bolts, don't know why i didnt think of that......I'll go and grab one (from the tool shop, not work!!).

Cheers,

[Mat Francis]

You're using anti seize on the bolts before they go back in right Phil? The first time they come out is always a nightmare (I had to use a 3ft breaker bar to get them out of the 90), but after they've been out once I've never had a problem with them. The V6 ones are supposed to be torqued to 50NM, don't know the 4cyl off the top of my head but it would be similar (probably less as smaller bolts?) Either way that's not ridiculously tight!

[alfagtv58]

Yes Matt, the copper stuff seems to work pretty good.  Torque setting I have been using is V.F.T.

[Mat Francis]

In hindsight 50 NM is near impossible with a right angled Allen key. Get the bit for your ratchet and you'll be laughing

[Mat Francis]

Haha, sounds good. Yes I use the coppercoat stuff as well

[aggie57]

Thanks Aggie, thats what I am used to doing....but I am tiring of it.  In fact when I pulled it out the first time I think I had to grind almost all of them after many years in place.

A good idea Anthony, we use those at work for similar stubborn bolts, don't know why i didnt think of that......I'll go and grab one (from the tool shop, not work!!).

Cheers,

Yeah - it does get a bit that way.  I must admit I also have a 6mm hex socket and long extensions in my toolbox.  Much easier sitting beside the car undoing the ones on the transaxle than lying on your back cursing and swearing...

[MD]

According to my workshop manual for the 2 litre Alfetta, the drive shaft flange bolts only require tightening to 30 Nm and that's not very tight at all.

[alfagtv58]

Not sure if I should start a new thread or add to this one.

I'm pretty sure 3rd and 4th gear shouldn't look like this.  It seems the dog drive let the syncro ring loose which shattered itself into 1.2m bits taking out 3rd and 4th with it.  Luckily it is 3rd and 4th, as these are from standard 2L Alfetta, Hugh is going to get 1st and 2nd crack tested to be sure.  The good news is the diff seems fine!

Thanks to Hugh & Mick for pulling it apart on Saturday for me.

[hmd]

Phil,

I think to make sure the same problem doesn't happen again, best you and I swap engine.
I think your engine is putting too much torque through the gear box.