Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 900 Series (Alfasud, Alfasud Sprint, 33) => Topic started by: Fetta GTV on November 11, 2011, 12:38:40 PM

Title: Where to get strut bearings?
Post by: Fetta GTV on November 11, 2011, 12:38:40 PM
Hi All

I need a set of Strut Bearings for the sprint, the needle roller bearing type.
Does anyone have a contact where they have got some, cannot seem to track any down.
Also need strut boots and steering rack boots.

Cheers
DAvid
Title: Re: Where to get strut bearings?
Post by: colcol on November 11, 2011, 10:00:03 PM
Try a bearing supply place, Peter Webb in England, Sudsonline, [at the bottom of the Alfasud ebay site], i have seen them on a Alfa ebay site in England or Italy, if i remember right they are made by Torrington bearings, Repco sell generic boot kits, see if they fit, but type 'Alfa Romeo steering' in ebay, and you should find something, i did, and the only problem i had, some wouldn't send to Australia, Colin.
Title: Re: Where to get strut bearings?
Post by: Fetta GTV on November 14, 2011, 02:16:58 PM
Thanks Colin
Peter at sudsonline has been very helpful, but only has the newer type of bearing.
We thought that being that mine sprint is a 1986 model it would have the newer type bearing.
For some reason mine has the needle roller bearing and we cannot track any down.
I have attached some pics of my strut, is it possible to modify to use the newer bearing?
Title: Re: Where to get strut bearings?
Post by: colcol on November 14, 2011, 09:34:35 PM
Before you modify, try some bearing supply places, and i mean not one or two, but try lots, as i always find someone with old stock, or try the bearing maker directly, i think mine were Torrington, made in England, Peter Webb is good, he always trys to help me out, bad luck there are no Peter Webbs in Australia that i know of, Colin.
Title: Re: Where to get strut bearings?
Post by: colcol on November 19, 2011, 10:02:16 PM
I wonder if you could find out the maker of the bearing and part number, and go to their website and download a catalogue of bearings, i have done this in the past for thermostats, belts, steering components, etc, might be worth a try, Colin.
Title: Re: Where to get strut bearings?
Post by: Ray Pignataro on November 20, 2011, 01:32:47 PM
once again Frank Musco will have something
Title: Re: Where to get strut bearings?
Post by: Fetta GTV on November 20, 2011, 05:22:24 PM
Thanks Ray and Colin
Still looking, have PM'd Frank
Title: Re: Where to get strut bearings?
Post by: Frank Musco on November 20, 2011, 09:41:09 PM
I've found these bearings difficult to find. The 2nd hand ones are always corroded. Once the strut boot cracks, water and grit get to the top of the bearing and are kept in by the bottom seal. Eventually they rust solid, or the cage corrodes and the rollers fall out or square off and no more rolling.

More than 10 years ago I found some bearings from Consolidated Bearing Company. They were very close to the original bearing and I had success. So I'd ring a bearing place like Colin suggests, and probably find something closer now.

Good luck...Frank

Thanks Ray.
Title: Re: Where to get strut bearings?
Post by: Ray Pignataro on November 20, 2011, 10:42:42 PM
Its ok Frank your still my hero lol