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My Alfa - I figured out that thumping

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kennypinkerton

kennypinkerton

Yoda
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I figured out that thumping noise from the rear end... Dropped the driveshaft on the way home from work tonight. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cryin.gif

So, should it bolt right back up, or is that where one of those rubber donuts goes?
 
ouch... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

never had that happen to me before... everything still serviceable?
 
The bolt flange on the driveshaft looks fine even though I dragged it about 100 ft while pulling over. But I didn't have a flashlight to be able to see the pinion input of the axle - I hope it's ok.
 
****! Again, check everything under that rear end...remember, I put a new one it & I've never worked on an Alfa before!

I am going to yell at my buddy tomorrow - his mechanic was supposed to go over everything I did to check behind me!
 
No harm done. I just gotta get 4 hardened 9mm fine thread bolts and locknuts. I don't know if they weren't tight, or if they were just sheared somehow. Right now, the car is about 2 miles from my house, in a safe place. When I get the driveshaft bolted back up, I'll drive it home and double check everything down there. Not your fault tony.
 

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Well, it has gone about 250 miles since it was installed (including your trip home)
 
The thumping only started after I got home... Probably had lost a bolt or two by then. It only got louder/more intense just a second or 2 before I heard/felt the driveshft drop and flop once before I clutched it and pulled off the road. My first time in it top-down too - ahhh the memories. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Only one "gibo" (donut) in the driveline, at the tranny output. Bolt 'er up and proceed.

OH!!! Do NOT replace the U-joints with anything other than ones supplied from an Alfa stockist. The ones most parts stores sell you will be a few thou's smaller O.D. on the cups and will destroy the shaft... Write that down now!
 
No, Kenny, I didn't do anything with the u-joints!
 
Noted already. <Use Only Alfa Parts houses for u-joints> I think they should still be ok.. I didn't notice any looseness or binding in them when I played with it while waiting for my wife to come pick me up. I'll go try to get some bolts/nuts tomorrow and get the car home.
 
TONY!!! I was just passin' a concern thru with regard to replacement ~whenever~!! There'd be no reason you'd not SEE the mismatch if you DID do U-J work on "Pinky."

BWUHAAHAAAAA!!! "PINKY"... ~THAT~ has a double entante beyond belief!!!

...they just COME to me! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
... wow doc... you crack yerself up sometimes? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Kinda like working on the night crew - you start laughing at things that others don't see as funny.

- Doug
 
I laughed at doc's comments too. But, back to business...

I found 2 sets of bolts that might get me home... or actually work for a while, until I get the right one's... But I need more of Doc's expertise!!!

I have a set of 8mm class8.8 bolts with matching nylock nuts..... and a set of Grade 8 5/16th inch bolts with matching grade 8 nuts and Loctite red thread locker... Which one should I use?... and for how long before getting the proper 9mm bolts n nutz from a junked alfa?

"they don't grow on trees" was an understatement... I spent 3 hours looking online for them and haven't found any yet.
 
Use the 8mm class 8.8 bolts with matching nylock nuts... simply for the nyloc nuts, as they're sooo close to the same size... and DON'T forget to change 'em out for the proper shouldered ones. Soon. Driveshafts are even harder to come by now.

EDIT: Call Bob at Centerline. They have stuff they don't necessarily show on-line or in a catalogue.
 
Look what's home... 2 Pinky's hehehehehe.
183011-PinkyAlfasmall.jpg
 

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lol is "The Brain" driving? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
That just went into my "Permanent Collection"!

BTW: I'm about to call Bob... gonna ~warn~ him about ya... and see if he's got an O/P sender for Luigi here. Stupid thing nearly stroked me out. Looked down and saw ZERO O/P at 4K!!! *GASP*

Been drivin' it like that for over a month now... needn't tempt fate anymore.
 
I noticed a little oil in my #1 plug well a few minutes ago. Could that be telling me I need a camcover gasket? I didn't see/feel any oil around the filler cap and it's gasket seems fine.

Pulled the dipstick /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif I gotta go get some oil! Not even registering. Pressure guage shows good pressure though. oil light comes on at startup, but goes out in a few seconds as the pressure builds.

I gotta go get some oil anyway!
 
SEVEN quarts at a time!
 
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