QuestionQUESTION: arattle in the gear shift stick has just started in my 1984 alfa spider. touch the stick & it quits, very annoying. would you know what it coulb be, not a deep sound just a rattle. thanks.
ANSWER: The rattle could just be that the area where the lever engages the shift rods needs renewing of the bearing
grease used as lubricant or the retaining bolt at the base of the lever is worn/loose.
But, first, do a survey of the drive-shaft. In particular, carefully examine the guibo joint (the rubber
dough nut at the front). I would also remove the rear flange of the shaft to see if some of the u-joint
bearings have stiffened up (check also for looseness of the joints).
While doing this, also make sure that the transmission mount has not collapsed.
You did not say when this rattle occurs. If it happens when stationary, then I would suspect bad
engine/transmission mounts.
Most of the time this will lead to the elimination of the complaint.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: sorry ,the rattle only occures when driveing . just had new engine and tran. mounts a year ago and drive line checked at that time. this rattle just began suddenly no pre warning sounds at all. thanks bill
AnswerSorry, I thought I had already replied to this follow-up. Check the guibo joint, a year is more than enough
time for a failure. Also, disconnect the drive shaft to check for frozen u-joints. If all is well,
then check the fastening of the shifter and grease where I said before.
