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Chris · Guest

Hi,
Could anyone help me on a couple problems with my 33 16v!!
Firstly, the good old gearbox!
What action should I take to solve this problem? When the car is cold, shifting between 1st, 2nd and 3rd can be a bit rough (feels like a grinding action). It is less smooth when I change down a gear, and not really too bad when shifting up, (so at least it doesn’t hinder the awesome acceleration of the 16v).
The problem is barely noticeable and shifting is quite smooth when the car has done a short journey.

Secondly, if I take a fairly tight corner (requiring half to full lock), when I then drive along the straight, the car wants to wonder in the direction that I last turned. It stays like this until I take another corner in the opposite direction. This is quite an annoyance as if I take a tight corner then have to drive a great distance (e.g. motorway) I have to fight against the wheel to keep the car going straight.

Any help with these issues would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Ben_nz · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 11:26 am Post subject:

The second problem is strut pan bearings.. you can find information on it by searching the archived posts on this site.
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=186&highlight=strut+bearing

Sounds like your gearbox is working better than mine! Razz

bobbber · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 12:45 pm Post subject:

Mine too!
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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

Guest · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 9:01 pm Post subject:

u cant really fix the good ol gear box....well unless u change your whole syncro system but u dont wanna do that so jsut live with it=)

Eddie W · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 9:41 pm Post subject:

Hi Cris
I've found that a full synthetic oil in the box works wonders with the synchros. It is usually the 2nd gear synchro that gives a problem, not all of them so there could possibly be some clutch niggles showing up. Having said that though the fact that it improves as it warms up does point to oil. Try the synthetic. It has some immediate effect and improves even more as time goes on. THe steering is definitely pan bearings as stated above.
Regards Eddie
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A LITTLE FURTHER A LITTLE FASTER

Ben_nz · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 9:04 am Post subject:

Like probably most people here I've gotta change slowly when going from first to second (losing me acceleration time) to avoid grinding. More annoying is how it's difficult to engage first gear and reverse gear, especially when the car is stationary. You have to move the gear lever very slowly again to avoid grinding, but often the car still won't go in gear. So you put it back in neutral, release the clutch, depress the clutch and try again. The gear lever is also quite stiff and heavy to move.
On bad days somebody is beeping at you by this point, so you have to forget the 'slowly' part and just put up with some grinding to force it into gear.

While looking for a 33 to buy, I drove one with a recently reconditioned gearbox and it was great. The gearstick felt light and easy to move, it went smoothly and did what you told it to do. Just like a normal car. Rolling Eyes

Chris · Guest

Thanks for all the advice!
As soon as the rain stops I can get to work!

Eddie W · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 7:51 pm Post subject:

Hi Ben
The trick with 1st and rev when stationary is to 1/2 engage 2nd and then flick into 1st. Works 90% of the time.
Regards Eddie
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A LITTLE FURTHER A LITTLE FASTER

PJ · Guest

I'll go along with Eddie W, my spider crunches into 1st and reverse unless I engage 2nd / 5th momentarily first - then she's fine.
Decent gear oil flush and change can't hurt, then I think it's a case of come to terms that it's part of the 'heart over head' alf mentality and teasing into the gears !!!
Best of luck.
PJ.
Laughing