Zagato Logo & Photo (47140 bytes)

Overhauling the suspension

Many Alfa Romeo owners completely neglect the condition of the suspension or they don't notice the gradually deterioration which is a pity because responsive handling of the Zagato - which can be a great joy - depends on a taut suspension.

The main suspension problems are frequently encountered in the following areas:

Rear trailing arms:

The bushes in the rear trailing arms tend to seize and play is felt as a kind of rear end steer-effect whenever you apply or release power.

You can choose whether you like to change the complete rear trailing arms which are available with new bushes already installed or to change only the bushes. Make sure to screw the bolts tight after the car is back on the wheels loaden with approx.140 kg of weight (45 kg per seat and 25 kg per side in front of the seats).

 Rear trailing arms (4632 bytes)
T-reaction trunnion:

The T-shaped reaction trunnion which guides the rear axle has small rubber cone bushes. When they deteriorate a general instability at the rear axle can be felt. When you change the bushes make sure that you reinstall the correct shims for each side. It is also a good idea to exchange the two rubber bushes which guide the bolt for the rear axle in the reaction trunnion. They come in hard and soft rubber mixture - go for the hard mixture.

 T-reaction trunnion (1883 bytes)
Front wishbone:

The bushes at the bottom wishbone of the front axle are a Metalastik-type design - neoprene insert in a steel casing. If the steel corrodes due to water penetration these bushes tend to seize with the result of groaning noise whenever you drive with your car over bumps. If you ignore the noise you'll damage the wishbone swivel bars. Exchanging the bushes means complete dismantling of the front suspension. Hence the springs have to be taken out - a job which should only be done with a special tool. Take this advice seriously - the springs have enormous power and can seriously harm you if not handled correctly.

 Front wishbone (5272 bytes)

General considerations:

All other bushes and balljoints tend to seize with age and use, as with any other car.

Dampers tend to become softer and I have also seen cars with corroded spring pans. The front anti-roll bar which is bolted into the front crossmember tends to rust out of its mountings.

Since the steering, tracking, castor and camber needs to be readjusted after working on the front suspension it is a good idea to exchange all doubtful parts in one go.

Specialtool (8182 bytes) The special tool is screwed to the front suspension to take the spring out.

This is the only save procedure to take the spring out.
The front wishbone is taken out of the car to be further dismantled. The picture shows the nut on the wishbone swivel bar. Behind the nut which is very often heavily corroded is the Metalastik-bush. Front wishbone (8876 bytes)
Suspension parts (8991 bytes) Here you can see various parts of the front suspension.

Spring pans and brake disk protection covers were sandblasted and rust primed. In front right you can see a wishbone swivel bar.
New brake disk ready to be screwed to the steering knuckle. In the background the overhauled and painted front wishbone waits to be placed back in its position. Freshly painted parts (10013 bytes)
Overhauled front suspension (8517 bytes) Completely overhauled front suspension.
New ball joints next to the steering crank bracket. The bracket was dismantled, cleaned and freshly greased. New ball joints (8999 bytes)
Back to previous page