Cruise Control retro fitting guide

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Here is my guide to retro fitting the cruise stalk from an Alfa 166 to your 4200, Spyder and GranSport. This guide does not include the 3200.

These items do wear so I WOULD NOT purchase a used item, I would only buy new as you will find that the indicator cancellation does not work and that is really annoying believe me.


Alfa part number: 156018005

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 90 mins


WARNING. REMOVAL OF THE STEERING WHEEL INVOLVES REMOVAL OF THE AIRBAG UNIT WHICH IS AN EXPLOSIVE AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL DEVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT AS TO YOUR ABILITY TO UNDERTAKE THIS JOB YOU CONSULT PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE BEFORE DOING SO. NO LIABILITY WILL BE TAKEN BY ANY PERSON ATTEMPTING THIS JOB FROM MYSELF, SPORTSMASERATI.COM, ITS OWNERS OR ANY OF ITS MEMBERS.


Tools needed:
  • 3 legged puller
  • Security bits set (ones with pin hole in the middle)
  • Socket set
  • Screwdriver
  • Hammer


1. Turn off the battery and allow the system, including the airbag to decharge.

2. Start by releasing the central airbag unit. This is done by removing the 2 security torx screws behind the steering wheel:

IMG_2036.jpg

3. The airbag unit will now pull out of the steering wheel:

IMG_2037.jpg

4. Turn it over and prise off the multi plug:

IMG_2038.jpg

5. Carefully put the airbag in a safe, cool, dry place whilst you undertake the rest of the job.

6. Remove the horn multi plug and earth wire:

IMG_2039.jpg

IMG_2040.jpg

7. Undo the 4 steering wheel to boss mounting screws and remove the wheel from the column:

IMG_2041.jpg

8. Remove the central steering wheel nut, you don't need to remove the carrier:

IMG_2042.jpg

9. Remove the 2 screws from the horn clock spring and remove the item:

IMG_2042.jpg

IMG_2045.jpg

10. Undo the other 3 fixings and mark the shaft and the boss with a punch so you can reassemble in the correct orientation:

IMG_2048.jpg

11. Remove the upper and lower steering column cowling 2 screws on the face:

IMG_2049.jpg

and a further 5 fixings on the underside. both sections can now be removed.

12. Remove the paddle shifter. This is not necessary but I did so as not to damage them

13. Attach a medium 3 legged puller to the steering boss and gently wind it up. It will let go fiercely, so be ready to catch it:

IMG_2051.jpg

14. Feed the horn and airbag wires through the holes in the boss and remove the boss from the car:

IMG_2052.jpg

15. Unclip the airbag cable from the chassis and remove the bearing bush:

IMG_2053.jpg

16. Remove the 3 mounting screws form the paddle shift chassis and pull it forward and allow it to hang:

IMG_2055.jpg

17. Undo the 2 indicator unit mountain screws:

IMG_2056.jpg

18. Release the 3 multi plugs on the rear of the unit and remove it form the car:

IMG_2057.jpg

IMG_2058.jpg

19. This is what you should now have:

IMG_2059.jpg

20. This is what you will be fitting is the reverse of the removal. NOTE: you have a new multiplug for the Cruise Control stalk. You have to remove it from where is is mounted on the Alfa part as it will not allow the cowling to go back on. This slides towards you to de mount it:

IMG_2060.jpg

Refitting is the reversal of the removal.
 

Fair2

Junior Member
Messages
211
Well done. I had it fitted in the UK before the Old Girl came to Aus. I use it a lot on long runs to QLD.Very enjoyable.
Robert
 

Geofflyn

New Member
Messages
560
Wish I had read this first. I did buy a used one which works fine except for the indicator cancelling which is very annoying as you say and will be problematic if I ever sell the car as thats a MOT failure down here. Why doesnt the cancellation work?
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Wish I had read this first. I did buy a used one which works fine except for the indicator cancelling which is very annoying as you say and will be problematic if I ever sell the car as thats a MOT failure down here. Why doesnt the cancellation work?

Geoff, mine did the same so I took it all out again and transplanted the used Alfa Cruise stalk into my existing unit and it now works 100%
 

Chrisbassett

Member
Messages
3,909
Did you make sure you lined the white bit up correctly? Someone else had an issue with this and it turned out just to need adjusting.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Did you make sure you lined the white bit up correctly? Someone else had an issue with this and it turned out just to need adjusting.

It only goes on one way, the wear happens with the ears on the central spigot (blue), plus as it gets old it wobbles on the shaft. You can wrap insulating tape round the steering shaft to pack it out, plus the cancellation tangs (green) wear so basically the contact is not sufficient to push the tangs far enough to de activate them.

I can't see any adjustments possible to take up this slack.

Moving the cruise stalk into my existing unit fixed the problem instantly.

photo.jpg

This is the duff one, you can see the tangs are rounded off, you might be able to reshape them plus some tape round the steering shaft to pack the spigot and you will probably get them to work, but its very easy to transfer the cruise stalk into your existing unit.

Basically, don't buy a used one, buy the new one which can be had for about £105
 

Geofflyn

New Member
Messages
560
Thanks Matt, I had my local indie do the instal for me at a very reasonable price so I might get them to have another go or if I can borrow a puller then I'll do it myself.

Chris how do you mean align the white bit correctly?

Thanks Geoff
 

MAF260

Member
Messages
7,662
Autolusso in Bedfordshire have some new, old stock Alfa 166 stalks in stock if anyone's looking for one. I believe these are the last new/unused ones available.
 

RossWA

Junior Member
Messages
139
I have an Alfa 166 and have replaced the column stalks twice, failure of the self cancelling is a well known fault. Expect them to last about 4 years.
 

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Probably not, unless they beef up the part for Maserati, but I would not be 100% on that..!! It could be that Masers are just too fast to keep putting winkers on, so they last longer..!!
 

richard_masa_4200

Junior Member
Messages
195
Thanks Matt, I had my local indie do the instal for me at a very reasonable price so I might get them to have another go or if I can borrow a puller then I'll do it myself.

Chris how do you mean align the white bit correctly?

Thanks Geoff

You can borrow my puller when I get back from the US Geoff..
 

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
14,994
A puller isn't always necessary, mine came off without one. Undo the central nut but leave it at the end of the thread, waggle the wheel or give it a good thump on each back side of the wheel. That way, if/when it goes, it won't fly off and hit you in the face. Have fun!
 

Roger

Junior Member
Messages
456
Geoff, mine did the same so I took it all out again and transplanted the used Alfa Cruise stalk into my existing unit and it now works 100%

Hi Matt

How do you disconnect the stalks to enable swapping between the original from the 166 one?

Cheers, Roger