Adjustable Steering Arms

Adjustable Steering Arms

April 27, 2020 40

This article describes the installation of adjsutable steering arms.

My Alfa 33 had factory fitted power assisted steering but strangely enough the steering arms were those fitted to the manual steering rack; this proves for one more time that Alfa follows the doctrine of fitting whatever is available on the parts bin during production.

Manual steering rack arms have the major drawback of hard-to-do wheel alignment as ball joint extraction is required to alter the SEMI TOE IN/OUT by 1 mm. The adjustable steering arms do not require ball joint extraction as an intermediate union can either extend or rectract the steering arm. This means that the wheel alignment can be done with perfect precision less than 1 mm as opposed to the manual steering arms.

For the history, a quick search on the workshop manuals revealed that cars from chassis number 05756203 onwards have the new steering arms solution fitted. Since the VIN number of my Alfa 33 is prior the focal VIN number, it explains why the old style non adjustable steering arms were fitted.


Parts needed:

  1. Steering arms (part number 60572858)
  2. Connection (part number 60572854)
  3. Lock nuts (part number 60572857)
  4. Rubber bush (part number 60525675)
  5. Steering arm wheelarch left side rubber protection (part number 60501074)
  6. Steering arm wheelarch right side rubber protection (part number 60502764)
Adjustable Steering Arms
This is the steering arms set just removed from the donor car.
A close up showing the steering arms bush side, the metal plate & the two bolts that affix the arms to the steering rack and the lock rings that ensure the bolts remain bolted down.
A detailed photo of the adjustable union.
Note the threaded part of the union; it is a reverse (left) thread meaning that the lock nut bolts in CCW (as opposed to right thread/CCW).
Detailed photo showing the steering arm bush and the 24 mm bolt. Both bushes will be replaced with new ones.
All necessary parts together.
Surface corrosion forming on the outer part of the steering arm. Corrosion is inevitable as the arm is constantly rubbing on the wheelarch rubber protective liners.
Use wire wheel to brush away the corrosion.
Corrosion removed. Be sure to avoid wire brushing solid paint.
Corrosion removed from both arms.
The hanging method is always the best approach for painting.
Black rattle can paint.
Paint has been applied. Allow a few hours to dry.
New rubber bushes.
A bearing puller and a socket will push the bush out.
This is a DIY trick when no hydraulic press is available. The puller pushes the bush while the steering arm is supported by a 36 mm wrench.
Bush is half-way out.
Use the screwdrive as a lever to help the bush out.
Bush is finally out.
Use the vice to press in the new bush. Be sure that the bush slides in straight and it would help to apply a few drops of soap to help installation.
The rubber bush is finally in. Do the same for the second steering arm.
These are the existing steering arms to be replaced. Locate the lock rings center and remove the securing pin.
Steering arms bolts to be removed. 
Remove the ball joint using the extractor.
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