hi from malaysia

[164super]

hi all, i'm from malaysia, recently purchased a 164 year 1991, 3.0L manual, has 220k mileage on it.Would say car is in fairly good health and well taken care of. the tensioner bearing gave way a couple of days ago, got it replaced and the car is such a pleasure to drivce. One problem thyough, the car seems to "jump" too much on bumpy roads. Any idea why?

[hilko]

I would suggest have your suspension checked and/or replaced. An Alfa is designed to stick to the tarmac at all times and if it drives like a Caddillac the shock absorbers definately have had their best time.

[164super]

Thanks for your opinion, im trying to find absorbers such as bilstein or sachs but difficult to get. There is a brand known as titan whereby they custom make the absorbers according to the car. Any one experienced using titans. Please let me know if any one knows how to source a full set of absorbers for a reasonable price. For now my car still jumps at every small unevenness on the road!

[164super]

Any idea how to post pictures? Anyone?

[alfa east]

For the Sachs shock absorbers: I found them here in UK:
http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/Alfa% ... rbers.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or in Germany:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Alfa-Romeo-164-T ... 0585925565" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(translatethe page with Google)

Welcome on the site!

[alfa east]

Or if you want Koni:
http://www.ebay.de/sch/sis.html?_nkw=KO ... 0547302452" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[164super]

Thanks for the info alfaeast, am looking at monroe shocks which is easier on the pocket, or custom made ones which cost around 1.5 to 2.5k malaysian riggit. well still weighing which one to fix. Right now the car is w the mechanic getting the fan motor changed. The motor malfunctioned n the car overheated yesterday, the good thing was it happened right in front of the mechanic shop!

[164super]

Hi alfaeast, if i were to purchase the sachs absorber from the online address that u gave me, do i go by year of manufacture? For example my car is year 1991 and is 12 valve, would these info suffice to make sure the absorbers are compatible w the car?

[alfa east]

The technical whizz-kids here on this forum will probably correct me if I say something wrong, but as far as I know there is only 1 type of shock absorbers for the front-wheel-drive 3 liter 164: the type for the 3 liter (both 12V and 24V) is the same).

I think you will prefer the Sachs over the Monroe.

[164super]

Thanks alfa east, i checked out the sachs website, its comparatively cheap to the sachs sold in malaysia which costs easily a thousand more for a set of four. The problem is i dnt think they ship to malaysia or singapore. Please advise.

[wilco]

almost east, the QV is also FWD but has electronic adjustable shocks
but for the standard shocks, yea they all fit.

[alfa east]

Thanks alfa east, i checked out the sachs website, its comparatively cheap to the sachs sold in malaysia which costs easily a thousand more for a set of four. The problem is i dnt think they ship to malaysia or singapore. Please advise.

I do not know if they are willing to ship to Malaysia. Last time I checked I just asked the importer here in Thailand and the price was not worth the hassle of importing by myself. But I would just ask the Ebay-seller. Just be careful with the (potential) import duties on car parts in Malaysia. I worked in trading for a large multinational and I remember my colleague from KL complaining about high import duties. But that was a long time ago; in most countries they have come down now.


By the way the Ebay bidding ended at EUR 77.77 per piece so that is indeed a lot cheaper. The UK seller can definitely help you (at least easier with the language); if he does not want to ship it overseas you just ask the Malaysian branch of a large air courier (UPS/FedEx etc.) to organize pick up from the seller and charge you. The pick up places are mentioned in the ad:
http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/Delivery.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The courier people will only need to know the gross weight (ask the seller) and they are also able to advise you on import duties/sales taxes in Malaysia (if applicable).

[164super]

Hi all,
has been long since I logged in. Actually forgot my login password and have been busy.Well progress of my 164 ever since I bought it, engine overhauled . Reconditioned all 4 of the original absorbers into serviceable absorbers, so every 50k km, they can be serviced.
Air cond compressor overhauled as well since before this I had to replace gas every month once.
I'll be happy to post pictures of my car if someone can guide me on how to.
drivers side power window also changed. Now the car is a pleasure to drive! One question though, I feel the side rolling of the car is still there despite 'change' of the absorbers, anyone knows why?

[alfa east]

You can upload the photos to a site sch as http://www.imageshack.us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (there are many others) and after uploading you will be shown a link and the link you copy and paste between [img]link[/img].

[164super]

Hi alfaeast, ill try to get some photos of my 164 in 2 weeks or so. not sure if i can post the pictures but will try. if i cant probably u can help me out.
a month ago the engine fan motor failed and i couldnt get another unit. so its running on a 166 engine fan attached to a 156 housing!

[sportston]

One question though, I feel the side rolling of the car is still there despite 'change' of the absorbers, anyone knows why?

Perhaps the anti roll bar needs fresh bushes and link bars?
Here is a URL to the link bars for sale on ebay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POWERFLEX-ALF ... 2a20a7704c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The mounting bushes for the anti roll bar can be got from Superflex.
http://www.superflex.co.uk/proddetail.p ... F429-1816K" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That may help stop your car from rolling so much.
Have you also made sure the wheel alignment (tracking) on all 4 wheels is correct and that all of the other front suspension and steering joints and mounts are not worn?
The joints on the rear suspension can also make the car roll. Unfortunately the bushes on the rear swinging arms can only be replaced by rose joints (the aftermarket rubber replacements last no longer than about 6 months and are a complete waste of money). All of the other rubber mounts on the front and rear suspension can be replaced with polyurethane bushes from either Superflex or Powerflex.
They can all be got relatively cheaply in the UK on ebay. Not sure how many would ship to Malaysia though.
I've had to replace all of the mounts over the last few years on mine so feel free to ask if you want any advice.

[164super]

thanks for the info sportston. the rolling has been bothering my drive at low speeds only. however wat i plan to do next is repair the steering rack since my cars steering response is not good and the steering at times is not center evenwhen the car is moving in a straight line. its worse if i turn the wheels to an extremr, for eg if i turn to the extreme left n then go straight thr steering will be turned to the left n so on. I was told that the steering rack rubber/ cushion (is that the correct term) needs to be changed. i plan to get that issue fixed first before exploring the suspension system.
thsnks for the info though. will ask the mechanic to hv a look at the suspension as well.

[sportston]

I was told that the steering rack rubber/ cushion (is that the correct term) needs to be changed. i plan to get that issue fixed first before exploring the suspension system.
thsnks for the info though. will ask the mechanic to hv a look at the suspension as well.

You're welcome. Just to let you know the rear end is very susceptible to damage. Clip it on a curb and you can find that your tracking has been knocked out of alignment, which will give some similar symptoms. But I am interested to hear about the steering rack "cushion". What is this? Do you mean a gaiter? Or this this an internal part?
However your description that after you have turned the steering it does not return to the straight ahead position sounds like it could be caused by worn shock absorber/strut bearings. This part here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200704575565? ... 1438.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It is not too difficult to replace them if you have spring compressors. They are well known for being a weak item. If you replace them I suggest you make sure they have been greased with waterproof grease to make sure they last for quite a while.

[164super]

Hi sportston,
the steering rack bushes(or at least what they call it here) are actually the rubbers attached to the steering rack, one on the drivers side and omne on the passengers side. got them replaced recently and the steering is gd now.

[sportston]

Oh Smashing, glad you got it sorted alright.

[164super]

hello everyone.. sorry for the belated photos .. after 3 years of being a member....since I know how to upload..... I will be uploading more of my photos... Just a reminder its a year 1991 3.0 12V manual.

[alfa east]

Nice!

[Alfan]

Better late than never - nice car

[164super]

Thanks alfaeast and alfan. well car will look much better after a good wash which is not in this pic!
A zender Milano rims will help too