164L Suspension

["Daniel Devaney" <ddevaney@xxxxxxxxx>]

My 1991 164L (w/ automatic transmission) has the following symptoms:

1.  RIDE HEIGHT.  Front driver's (left) side is lower than the front
passenger's (right) side.  On the driver's side I can fit my ring, middle and
index fingers vertically between the top of the tire and the bottom of the
fender.  On the passenger's side I can also fit my pinkie.  (I've seen the
ride height for a stock 164 as Front: 26 1/16, Rear:  26 1/2, but I'm not sure
how to measure it.)

2.  GRINDING NOISE.  On hard right turns, particularly downhill switchbacks
and the steering wheel to-lock (extra pressure on driver's side front), I hear
a grinding noise and the driver's side front tire rubs against the splash
shield.  Left hand turns are better.  Front tires are relatively new and I
haven't noticed any unusual wear pattern (yet!).

3.  JARRING CLUNK.  If I go over a speed bump with only the driver's side
front tire (or both tires when going faster), the bump is not cushioned and it
seems like the spring is not absorbing the bump.  Going over a speed bump with
only the passenger's side front tire is OK.

4.  SHOCKS.  I've done the "press down on the fenders and see how the car
bounces" test and it seems OK.

5.  FRAME.  Frame seems straight, however, it does look like a previous owner
may have hit something with the air dam.

6.  STEERING RACK.  Had a new one (w/o dampener) --from from Jon Norman and
Ruth Ann Yager at Alfa Parts--installed last year.

I'm assuming that I should have both front springs checked (and probably
replaced) and have the front shock absorbers, bushings, etc.  checked (and
perhaps replaced).  Looking through the current IAP and an older Centerline
catalog, I didn't see any springs for a 164 with an automatic.  Any suggested
sources would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan in Honolulu
'93 Spider Veloce
'91 164L


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