Re: A suggested upgrade in my choice of cars...

[Thomas Washburn <thomasw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, 13 Aug 2003, Bernie Bennett <bennetts77833@domain.elided> wrote:

> Tom:
> 
> Is yours an automatic? The standards, 5 speeds, have a smaller radius.

Now that you mention it, I see that the automatics use a different steering
rack than the 5-speeds.  My 164 USED to be an automatic.  I converted it to
a 5-speed, but I retained the original steering rack.

Presumably the steering racks used on automatic 164s have a more limited 
range of motion to avoid damaging the automatics' very short left-hand 
half-shaft.  My 5-speed car's longer half-shaft will lead a charmed life,
then.

This also explains how Alfa managed to sell 164s in Italy.  No doubt the
vast majority of them were equipped with manual transmissions (and tighter
turning circles).

Regards,
-Tom
thomasw@domain.elided
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