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mt

Over the last couple of days there's been a vibration coming from the prop on my P4 but this morning it's a lot worse and i thought it was gonna work it's way through the floor!
I need to disconnect the prop until i get time to resolve this problem, my initial thought is that removing the load by disconnecting the electromagnetic coupling would ease things and buy me a little bit of time to get me home from work today at least.

Question is, where's the relay?
From memory i seem to remember it being by the battery with a fuse on it, but can't remember which one.

If this isn't enough i'll have to remove the front part of the prop between the gearbox and the coupling. But does anyone know if this is ok to do or if it'll create more problems?

mt · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:33 am Post subject:

Found the relay, it's the one in the blue holder. Should be alright to get me home at least, just need to find out the cause of the vibration now before the viscous coupling mounts become damaged.

Anyone had a prop balanced before?

tvatavuk · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:28 am Post subject:

Check all cross joints. They tend to make vibrations.
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Tino Vatavuk
Little black dress which replaced Alfa Romeo 33 S 16v Permanent 4 GMo

mt · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:52 am Post subject:

tvatavuk · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 4:57 pm Post subject:

That can happen, also check welding points of 1st visco mount to chasis those are known for their failure (cracks in chasis). They should be rock solid.
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Tino Vatavuk
Little black dress which replaced Alfa Romeo 33 S 16v Permanent 4 GMo

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:32 am Post subject:

hi,

my pal recently acquired a P4 (didn't test drive it since the front end was smashed, bumpers, lights, hood, front wings...)
and after towing it home...big surprise...the viscous coupling and driveshaft are missing...must have been removed because of vibration...but previous owner (was not an alfist) didn't even know his car was supposed to be 4WD...
so, am presently looking for viscous coupling, mounts, shaft, if possible not too far from where I live...

regards,
zp

mt · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:09 am Post subject:

Zenith, you'd be better off asking for bits in the 'for sale/wanted' section.

Does anyone know, if i have to remove the rear prop do i need to take the weight off as well? And if so how does it come off, not done one before and need to know in advance so i can make sure i collect the right tools from storage...

(Can't get it to a garage before next week so going to have a look myself, only i'm staying with a friend while i try and buy a place and all my tools are in storage about 30 miles away...)

paulhide · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:22 am Post subject:

I think the end near the viscous coupling comes of with 13mm nuts (slowly turn the prop to get at them) and the end near the back comes off from the weight with hex/allen key, can't remember which - 8mm?
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mt · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:23 pm Post subject:

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

dont use a lump hammer what i have done is use the end of a small socket extention on the end of the allen key even the ring end of a spanner to give that extra leavage
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mt · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:44 pm Post subject:

tvatavuk · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:04 pm Post subject:

Sorry I didn't respond earlier, You made good decision weight must be taken off.
I didn't do mine while in garage, so I had to do it on road mid city after 1 of 2 nuts got lose and fell out Sad

Replace damaged screws only with proper hardness rating some models had 8.8 other had 10.0.

Cross joint/bearing costing at around 30 euros a piece isn't cheap but replace it whole and don't reuse old cap bearings. It took me 4-5 hours to replace all 4 joints, 1st being most troublesome untill I learned how not to misplace all little bearing cap needles/cylinders.

p.s. When thing are realy stuck it usualy helps if you try to tighten them only for small amount 1-2mm.
_________________
Tino Vatavuk
Little black dress which replaced Alfa Romeo 33 S 16v Permanent 4 GMo

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

lol

done that a few times myself but i dont tell my mates especially the one whos a mechanic
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mt · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:03 am Post subject:

Know what you mean Stedee, it got referenced at the weekend and i don't think that'll be the last i hear of it... d'oh!

Cheers for that Tino, nice to know i made the right decision. I'll be posting in a mo to see if anyone's run in 4wd without the weight. Also going to post my feelings on a 2wd/4wd comparison when i get time.