Alfa Romeo Repair: Alfa GTV steering, alfa gtv, absolute dream

Question
Hi Dave. I own an Alfa GTV 3 litre 24 v coupe 1999 model. You might be able to give me a little help reference the steering on this car. When i first owned the car, the steering was an absolute dream. Sharp, precise etc. Now after 2 years, the steering has become terrible. When i drive over the slightest of bumps, the steering wheel snatches out of my hand and generally it is all over the place. It had new shocks fitted all round last week, but that did not make it any better. Do you had any suggestion of what may be likely to wear out quickly on this type of car i.e anti roll bar bushes etc., as my car is an absolute dream to drive when it is running ok. Any help would be appreciated and i realise without seeing the car, it is a difficult diagnosis to make. Many thanks Dave H.

Answer
Hi Dave,

Of course, I've never seen the new GTV, except in pictures but your problem sounds like something that might be non model specific.

What you describe is usually something to do with, Caster.  Not enough Caster or wear in the mechanism that controls it, can cause a car to be very squirrely.  I would take it to a front end shop and have them check the Caster adjustment and the bushings therin.

Too little Caster, can keep the steering wheel from returning to center after a turn and can make the car dart left and right when trying to drive straight.  Too much Caster will make the wheel hard to turn from center and the wheel will snap back hard to center after a turn.
If there is wear in the bushings, or pads, then it can do both intermittently according to how it's loaded.  Hitting one good hole or bump can throw out the adjustment or even bend the parts.

Another thing could be the steering mechanism itself.  However, I think it would take a lot of wear in the steering tie rods to exhibit the symptoms you describe, plus, unless there was a faulty part to begin with, two years is an abnormally short time for them to wear that much.
Check that Caster and if your front end guy can't find the problem, write back to me and I'll try to chase down a visual of that car and we can go from there.
Sure wish he had them here in the US.  What a neat car!!!!

Dave Miller
Deltona, Florida USA