Alfa 156 Clutch

[knocker]

I know it's a bike forum but there also seem to be a few Alfa fans on here who might be able to answer a question or tow about my 156.

Noticed a few weeks back the the clutch was biting a lot lower all of a sudden and after having a look around it looked like either the master or slave cylinder could be on the way out. The problem seemed to sort itself out until tonight when I lost all resistance in the clutch pedal and it won't disengage at all which means I can't get it into gear.

As i'd left my phone and wallet at home this meant I couldn't call the RAC which resulted in a 2 mile walk home in the cold with a moaning 5 year old

Anyway, the helpful people at Alfa decided to put the clutch slave cylinder inside the bellhousing which i'm led to believe means a gearbox out job to replace the part. The master cylinder is attached to the clutch pedal and so although a bit of a twat to get out it's nowhere near as bad as the slave.

Assuming it is the slave cylinder that's gone have any of the Alfa owners on here ever had to replace one and if so is it a DIY'able job on the driveway or am I better lubing myself up and taking it to an Alfa specialist? (Alfatech in Huddersfield)

Not had any real problems with it until now apart from the remote central locking being a bit tempremental, typical that it decides to go on strike a month before christmas.

[Shaft]

My experience tells me it's almost certainly the slave, insofar as, with similar symptoms, I've replaced hundreds of slaves and a handful of masters.

What you do next depends on your experience/competence and how long you want the car off the road.

If you've never done one before, removing the gearbox on a modern FWD car can be a bit daunting and with good reason; to be honest, it's not a job I would take on by the side of the road and I do it for a living.

If you do decide to do it, bank on it taking twice as long as it says in the Haynes manual and plenty of swearing/scratching of head and you might want to have a mate standing by, that's a big old lump to move around when you're on your knees, especially when you go to put it back in.

Whatever happens, you would be a double dumbass not to put a new clutch in as well (unless you know it's been done recently) and get the DMF checked as well, if it's got one.
____________________
Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Had the clutch replaced on the 156 about a year ago. No way I wanted to do it myself on the job on the drive. I would suspect the slave cylinder primarily. Although I suppose you could more easily swap the master cylinder just to make sure.

Note on most cars the clutch fluid comes from higher up the reservour, so possible it has now just got to the point of not enough fluid left. Check the fluid level before you try and tow the car.

Oh, and another vote for replacing the clutch plate and slave cylinder while it is in pieces, irrespective of how good either of them look.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[stonesie]

Another vote for doing both, getting the 'box off is such a ballache and takes so long it would be best to change the clutch and slave as a set, and use decent parts too.

Whoever invented the Concentric release bearing needs shooting, the external cylinders are much better (£15 for the part and 20 mins job done on my FIAT, and it only took that long because you need the battery tray out)

[knocker]

Got the car home under it's own power. The brake fluid reservoir was bone dry so they clutch hydraulics were full of air. Filled it with fresh fluid and bled the clutch and it seems to be working again for now.

There is no obvious sign of any leak in the engine bay, i've had a good poke around today whilst it was still light and there is nothing wet around the bell housing or under it. Provided it's not pouring with rain tomorrow i'll have a proper look round and check all the brakes for leaks too.

Kickstart, out of interest how much did you pay to have the new clutch on your 156?

[Kickstart]

Hi

It was a little over a year ago and I think the bill came to £950, but that was with the cam belts (and related bits) done at the same time as well.

Just dug out the receipt:-

Replace belts and rollers, tensioners and cam variator = £360
Aux belt idler = £43
Fit clutch = £265
Clutch = £140
Oil = £10

Total of £818 + vat.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[10 pence Short]

[binge]

Quite a few cars have a CSC (concentric slave cylinder), Ford, Vauxhall etc...
Yup, it's a box out job, and unfortunately for you, there are easier cars to work on than Alfa's.

Certainly sounds like the hydraulics have gone down.
Try pumping the pedal (you may need to do it by hand, so you can pull it back up again).
After about 10 pumps, if it starts to get resistance, it probably means you've got air in the system, and you may get away with a bleed.

If it turns out to be the slave, and the box has to come out, you'd be stupid not to change the clutch while you're at it.

Wouldnt go to Main dealer for sure! Try a few smaller, local garages.
Depending on where you are based, I could probably help out.

If you wanna PM me your Reg, I can get some prices for you at work tomorrow.




Ben

[st3v3]

I'm half way through a clutch change, dont do it!!

Seriously, book it in.

(Just glad I don't have an alfa with some of these posts).
____________________
Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[Shaft]

[st3v3]

I was told that's how it long it takes!
I wasn't told that's how a competant mechanic with tools at a garage woulds take.

It's only been a week because I tossed 3 days off, got stuck for a day and wouldn't ask for help now I have no replacement part.
____________________
Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[Shaft]

You would likely get charged 3-4 hours, but it would probably take somewhere between 90 minutes and 2 hours, if you had all the skills and tools, but that's how garages make a profit and stay in business, so you can't knock them for that.
____________________
Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[st3v3]

Absolutely, and 1 thing I have gained is experience. I know for future reference what noises are associated with what problems, what the lieklyhood is of that going which way and how bigger job it is - big enough to be paid to be done for me next time!
____________________
Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[binge]

Can do a 106 clutch without even taking the box out.
I leave the drive shafts in and everything.
Just unbolt the gearbox mount and bell housing bolts, and lever the thing over. Can have a clutch done in half an hour / 45 mins.


Granted, I do have the car up above my head on a 2 post ramp instead of lying on my back on the drive way.

If you get stuck Steve, feel free to give us a should. I've lost count of how many 106/206/306 clutches I've done.




Ben

[10 pence Short]

[st3v3]