Tuesday 17 December 2013

Astra Convertible Roof

We like to thank all of those that visit our site each week to read the new posts

Over 7000 hits with many returning customers and constant keyword hits each week

At Alno this weeks production numbers for latches have fallen we are starting to get the feeling we have basically replaced 70% - 80% of the current Astras on the Australian roads.

This estimation is based in the number of Astra convertibles imported into Australia

Yet we are still experiencing strong demand through our networks in Europe and New Zealand and still above 50% our Astra convertible parts are sold to Holden Dealers.

Why buy from Holden when you can buy directly from the manufacturer this is something which i cannot understand.




We a running our yearly competition again this time we are including our blog readers and our ALNO Newsletter subscribers with prizes yet to be announced to answering the following question

What month will ALNO reach its 75 latch set completed in 2014?

The month for 2013 can be found in one of our blogs but who knows which one?

Over the past 10 plus years that the team at ALNO have been working in the Astra TS and AH convertibles we have added so much value to theses cars in terms of resale value

To become a newsletter subscriber in 2014 all you need to do is post a pic for you and your Convertible on our facebook page

Astra Facebook Page

Newsletter subscribers are the first to hear of our special offers and the last news stories on the Astra Convertibles 

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Directly there will be more information on our website with regard to options

but here is a sample


Our customers add real resale value to their cars we strive to protect the Astra convertible folding roof tops and all of our parts are fully protect against corrosion.

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From the team at Alno we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas

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Quality Convertible Roof Parts


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Monday 9 December 2013

Broken Roof Latches

10 Years Astra Roof Latches

We are approaching ten years since we started repairing Astra Convertible roofs

So if you are looking for an experienced team to look at your Astra Convertible who offer cost effective solutions.

At ALNO Product Services we believe these cars will one day be considered classic cars and we are offering custom modification services to improve the look and feel of the Astra Convertibles.






Astra Roof Latches

Broken Astra roof latches is the result of an Astra convertible being open and closed many times or where mechanical components meet there design life cycle end

When you are Convertible roof stops working you don’t need to always replace the Astra roof latches.

There are a number of known issues with the Astra convertible roofs as you can imagine there a limited number of places where you can go to get your Astra Convertible roof repaired.



Quality Convertible Roof Parts


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Tuesday 26 November 2013

Astra convertible owners

We are interested in hearing from Astra convertible owners or previous owners

That had latches fitted with new bearings

 The process of replacing the split bearings with deep groove bearings

Is coming home to roost

We are now seeing all types of trouble with these latches - excessive wear and tear on unusual parts of the roof



Quality Convertible Roof Parts


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Friday 22 November 2013

Roof Latches Astra Convertible

Now here is a classic







Astra Convertible Roof Latches - at ALNO Product Services all our parts and designs are fully tested on one of our Astra Convertibles prior to entering production


For more information check the following blogs


Quality Convertible Roof Parts


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Cost Effective Engineering Solutions - Astra Roof Repairs
 

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Astra Convertible - Custom Built - Hydraulic Hose


ALNO started supplying the a Queensland hose dealership with custom build fittings approximately 3 years ago, it has certainly caught on now many of the hose companies and Holden Dealerships are purchasing Hydraulic hose from ALNO.

Today Alno supply Hose companies from the UK New Zealand Europe and across Australia why pay a middle man when you can buy direct from their supplier.



It must be noted that not all hose companies purchase hose from Alno Product Services in many cases where hose are welded or patched together these hoses are not supplied by ALNO

Patching a hose together does not make much sense at all if the hose is 8 or 9 years old or in some case 10+ years that hose has done so much work after patching it just blows at the other end or splits halfway through.

Welding fittings to a new is a more reliable option yet in many case guys that fit hoses are not welders or welders of pressure fittings. It takes a boiler maker 4 years of welding them they need to complete 2 years additional study to become certified pressure welders. It many cases the welds we have seen we were shocked to see them last more than two roof cycles.

Maybe that is why some times the hose companies suggest that your purchase the Hose from ALNO rather than go to all that trouble a second time.  

The Astra Convertible has two types of hydraulic hose one set of hose are high pressure hose the other is low pressure hose. These system should not be mixed up as the low pressure hose need to be flexible and the high pressure needs to be ridgid.

In many cases it is a waist of money to replace all ten Hydraulic hoses as not all hoses need replacing many hoses are comsumerable yet not all hoses blow

ALNO has been assiting Astra Convertible roof owners get there roofs moving since approximatley mid 2004. We are yet to see a group off hose blow and untill we do we dont subscribe to the solution of replacing all ten hoses.



For more information on getting your Astra convertible roof moving with limited fuss
contact ALNO Today


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ALNO Product Services offer Cost Effective yet Fully Engineered Soultions

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Sunday 20 October 2013

Astra Convertible Roof Failure

TS Astra or AH Astra

It your choiuce either way the team At ALNO Product Services will get your Convertible Roof moving


 








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Monday 14 October 2013

Hard Top - Twin Top - Soft Top - Astra Roof Repairs


After an interesting week with repairing or restoring the functionality of a number of both Astra hard and soft top Astra convertible roof systems using a combination of ALNO parts and genuine parts.

It is becoming more and more evident that there is clearly cost relationship that is derived that is where customers have attempted to repair the Electro - Hydraulic roof systems themselves or rely on mechanics that have limited or no experience in repairing these systems.

This cost benefit analysis remains consistent across the range of the Astra convertible roof systems be it hard or soft top convertibles. Furthermore costs rise where untested / unproven or experimental parts are installed with many causing additional failure through out the system.

In terms of volumes sold 50% of the automotive parts sold by ALNO Product Services are purchased by Holden Dealerships or General Motors Dealerships across the the Globe.   


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Monday 23 September 2013

Holden Astra Twin Top Problems

Alno Product Services offer a reconditioning service for the Astra roof Motors for the hard top Astra

 


Quaility Engineering Solutions


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Saturday 21 September 2013

Holden Astra Convertible Roof: Astra Convertible Electric Motors

Holden Astra Convertible Roof: Astra Convertible Electric Motors

Alno Product Services offer a range of Electric motors to suit the AH and TS Astra Convertibles Electric motors from Alno Product Servic...


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Astra Convertible Electric Motors

Alno Product Services offer a range of Electric motors to suit the AH and TS Astra Convertiles

Electric motors from Alno Product Services are supplied on are replacement basis.



Every Electric motor supplied by Alno poroduct Services is fully reconditioned and tested prior to leaving our factory.









Bertone Astra | TS Astra | AH Astra


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Wednesday 7 August 2013

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Astra Bertone Roof Locking Mechanism

The team at Alno Product Services are now offering 3-D Printed Astra Roof Latches





50% of our Astra Convertible Products are now purchased by Holden or General Motors
 Dealerships Across the world






For roof latches that survive the test of time ..... The team at Alno Product Services have re-engineered the Astra Bertone roof Locking mechanism and our FEA tools suggest the the life of the latch has been extended by an extra 16 years



Astra Convertible at our old Factory

With summer approching its a good time to get your roof serviced to ensure you can enjoy the full summer


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Monday 5 August 2013

Alno - Convertibles







Alno Product Services

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Astra Convertible Roof Stuck

Alno Product Services is the first stop when it comes to getting
Your Astra Convertible Roof Moving again

  • Roof Latches
  • Hydraulic Hose
  • Hydraulic Oil
  • ECU - Roof Controllers
  • Fitting instructions

The team at Alno Product Services have been manufacturing Astra Convertible Roof Parts since 2006







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Sunday 4 August 2013

Astra Roof Repairs

Over the past 9 or so years ALNO Product Services have been developing products that enhance the performance of the Astra Convertible Roof

We have seen roof trimmers that bolt latches together that work for a period of time ..... and the latches jam so the roof cannot be opened ..... that is without structural damage to the roof in many cases.

Then we had brass latches from Canberra we are yet to see an Astra Convertible with these parts functioning. Then in April this year we had a new player enter the market place with Chinese Aluminum parts from Brisbane.

For each of the past 3 years Alno Product Services have constancy assisted over 75 Astra Bertone convertible owners get there roof moving again, this year it has happened earlier than any previous years.

In assisting these Astra convertible owners we have see an increase in the cheap Chinese manufactured latches being sold East of Brisbane. Latches assembled or fitted in Australia does not make the latches manufactured in Australia

As for fitted by trade qualified technicians I have searched all of the trade listings in each state and cannot find a trade qualification for a trade technician that is related to fitting of the Astra Bertone Convertible parts...... This qualification does not exist! ......

Do hope someone can tell me which TAFE college i can get this qualification.

In terms of a life time structural replacement warranty this warranty obviously does not include replacement of bearings our team have seen a number of these latches in recent months that require bearing replacement due to binding of poor quality Chinese materials. Hence the words "life time structural replacement warranty" Structurally these latches are fine yet mechanically they are a complete failure.
 
To Quote Wikipedia with regard to Structural Engineering

" Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty within civil engineering,"

for more information on Wikipedia - Structural Engineering

We must give credit where credit is due and this supplier of Astra Roof Chinese Latches have stopped butchering the split bearings and lead screws. Yet replacing these bearing did not and does not stop these latches from Jamming or binding.


Our team manufactures  on the central coast and all of our customers are welcome to come and check our manufacturing process. 

Money is just to hard to come by these days so why waste it on solution that just don't last


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Friday 5 July 2013

Astra Hose Blown

Today Hydra-link franchise called ask / requesting help for another Astra convertible that had a blown hose.

Then after replacing the hose that roof did not work?

or function how it was designed

" We just want to send this customer to another mechanic to fix the problem,  ?"

" We don't do mechanical repairs " 

" Do you know anyone in our area that can help "

- The Hydra-link supplier stated

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I'm not sure but when i went to University Hydraulics was under the Mechanical Engineering stream
along with mechanics.

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Our responses is that anyone can fix these cars the Astra Bertone Convertible roofs with the right advice.

From what we are currently lead to believe or all the evidence suggests that the car had a blown hose and that hose has been repaired 

Yet through the installation of the hose additional damage has been caused to the car / roof and now the roof does not function any longer.

If you have a blown hose and you replace that hose that is blown and nothing else changes through changing the single hose

The problem is solved .....

The issue here is with so many Pirtek, Hydra-link and Hose Doctors across the country that know how to fix all the hydraulic systems in factories or on manufacturing equipment quite well as they work on them most days.

When it comes to specialist systems I would not want part timers working on my car as when things go wrong these guys just push you off to some else.
 Over the past 6 months ALNO Product Services has assisted 39 Astra Convertible roof owners repair hose systems in the car with the right advice.

Not to mention customers in Europe, the UK and New Zealand across 4 different languages 

95% of these Astra Convertible owners have repaired these hoses themselves including a single mother of 3 in Adelaide region and a retired 75 year old man from Perth suburbs 

Don't let part timers replace one end of your hose to find out the other end blows two weeks latter.

For more stories like this of how .... or .... How to get your Astra Bertone Roof moving Again contact 


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Monday 1 July 2013

Hose and latches Astra convertible

Over the past 7 - 8 years of fixing these Astra convertible roofs not only the Hose but supplying latches flexible drives and roof controllers.

We have seen many customers from the hose companies with the second end of the hose blowing, broken latches or pull cable failing when hoses have been fitted.

I'm just wondering if it is 2 hours to fix the hose and why do they need the car all day?

For $240 it really gets quite expensive when you have to do each end of the hose and there are 10 hoses in each car

$240 x 10 hoses x 2 ends = $4800

Not only the cost but what about the inconvenience to back and forth to the hose company driving people mad.....

It does not make much sense in engineering terms to spend money on patching up an old hose (10 years old) with it bending back and forth the roof for the past ten years.

$4800 for 10 hoses …… 10 years old

In 5 years those hoses will have had 15 years of bending back and forth

Our company ALNO (on the NSW Central Coast which supplies Across Aust, NZ and Europe) offers new hose industrial grade with new end fittings it is a higher pressure hose than what is supplied by Holden.

We offer a package deal of 10 NEW hoses and a set of recondition latches for $3895.

The recondition latches have the plastic parts removed and are fitted with Aluminium parts ...... this comes with a two year warranty

Please note there are many people talking down these cars…… maybe that is because the first person did not fix the roof or take care for it and pass it on to the next owner….. Quite unfairly….

I own 3 of these cars and enjoy driving them

We are happy to talk these cars up …. as I love driving them with the roof down ….

Our company is also happy to honour the above warranty when your car is sold therefore adding more value to the Bertone convertible when selling it…..

Can you image what selling your car with a warranty for the parts in the roof…..


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Hydraulic Hose Holden Astra

The relationship between hose companies and Holden Dealers is a funny one when it comes to repairing Hydraulic Hose on the Holden Astra Convertibles, from all reports.

The first thing that needs to be stated in terms of repairing a hose as aposed to replacing the hose with a new one. Is that there is a good change that the other end of the hose is likely to come lose or blow off under pressure, as the hose manufacturing process is crimped at both ends.

In most cases after patching one end of a hose the other end blows off after a short period. In one case the other end blew off when the hose was being refitted.

By all reports from our customers there is no warranty with a patched hosed as the other end is most likely going to blow soon. The hose company just states we fixed the other end.

The team at ALNO Product Services offers both products where we can repair your 10 year old hose patching it together or we can offer a new hose that has a higher pressure rating and will not fall apart like the genuine Holden hose.

There are many reports from various clients across Australia that once the hoses have been patched that the holden dealers cannot fit them or they lose parts. Sorry that many not be true in every instance yet there is a strong resistance from Holden Dealers to fit other or non genuine parts.

One thing that is for sure weather you are fitting Hoses, Latches, Roof Controllers and or replacing relays the team at ALNO Product Services will offer the complete service.

Advice on how to fit parts yourself removing the conflict between Holden and the hose companies.

Today we have had another customer call and order parts that both the hose company and Holden dealer could not fix. 

The Customer still need to pay both companies bills and yet her roof is not working?

In replacing these hydraulic hoses it is as simple as fitting a peg over a hoses at one end and removing 4 bolts and a ring at the other.


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Astra Bertone - Facebook

Over this winter period care needs to be taken of your Astra convertible roof

For details of this care along with our peoples experiences with the Astra Convertible follow our face book page


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Thursday 16 May 2013

Astra Convertible Roof Not Moving

The team at ALNO Product Service has been offering Astra Convertible Roof Latches for over 8 years now 

We cannot resit we have more and more clients that have tried to fit or fix latches themselves taken advice from a backyard operator or tried to to fit latches themselves.

In many cases this has resulted in hoses or latches failing the team at ALNO product Services can assist with fitting we have developed a true and tried process that has resulted in more than 90% of parts being fitted without further damage to the roof or other parts of the car






For additional information on how to get your roof working again without the additional expense of replacing additional parts


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Tuesday 7 May 2013

Latch .... lock .... parts

Astra TS Latches parts purchased from a Queensland operator.... Warranty not honoured
Bertone 2001 - 2006

Latches worked for 2 weeks and then jammed

 

Theses latches are only good for parts.....

Bearings seized and Aluminum blocks are broken..... Rest of latch good for parts
 

Please message me for pictures and the result of fitting these latches
Parts from $10


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Saturday 4 May 2013

Astra Convertible Roof

If you have problem with your Astra convertible roof opening and closing the best bet is to get a professional to look at.

The team at ALNO Product Services have Professional Mechanics working across Australia and New Zealand including full trained Holden Dealerships

When fitting a set of latches there is a risk of hydraulic failure, furthermore if latches are not fitted correctly there is a real possibility of failure of the flexible drive.

Over the past year the team at ALNO Product Services have serviced over 75 Convertible roofs.

Why risk taking advice from people on a blog  ..... if things go wrong who will you turn to.

There has not been an Astra Bertone Convertible that the team at ANO Product Services has not been able to fix.

We have seen many weird and wonderful inventions the latest failure is a Queensland failure Aluminum parts machined for latches .....  fitted for two days then convertible roof started slamming into the windscreen. One could argue that the parts fitted were ok ...... when fitted ......or maybe it was the way the parts had been fitted who is to say?

One thing is sure there was one unhappy customer .... buy all reports the solution did not fit the problem for three months the customer struggled with closing the roof and at some stages was not sure if the roof was going to break the the windscreen.

At the end of the day if you enjoy the feeling of driving in an open roof and you love your car which one day will be a collectable item.


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Tuesday 30 April 2013

Roof Stuck ... Astra convertible

There are two milestones April 2013 ..... 

Firstly ending April 2013 the Team at ALNO Product Services have supplied 167 Latch sets across the Globe and assisted 237 Astra Owners get there roof moving again.

This has included 12 replacement kits for latches that have jammed by another Queensland based company offering a solution of a low grade aluminium material ..... the Aircraft grade aluminium ALNO Product Services offer a higher degree of flexibility which reduces the chance of latches jamming furthermore it protects the electro-hydraulic control system from failure. 

Secondly the team at ALNO Product Services would like to Announce the the supply of a composite Aluminium Plastic material that is the latest in materials technology that has been developed over 2 years in conjunction with the university of Technology Sydney. The composite Aluminium Plastic offers a higher degree of flexibility from the plastic and yet still offers the rigidity and strength characteristics of Aluminium. This material combined with design is closer to the original Bertone design yet offer a higher degree of protection to the roof and hydraulic system  at a cost effective price.   

For more information on our latest product Release of the aluminium plastic composite solution on offer from 

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"The Aluminum Plastic components is really a smart solution for the Astra Bertone Latches it stops them jamming and protects the roof"

General Manager
ALNO Product Services

Friday 29 March 2013

Astra Convertible Roof Parts - From $45

Astra Convertible Roof Parts - From $45

Buy the parts Holden won't sell you......

ALNO Product Services have been reconditioning Astra Convertible Roof Latches Since 2004

If your roof has stopped working best to talk to our team as we offer the complete service that gets your Roof Moving.

We offer Latches, Pull Cable Release kits, Hydraulic Hose, Hydraulic Oil, Programmed Roof Modules, Rear Quater Window fixes.

In 2006 ALNO Product Services started supplying Holden Dealers across Australia and New Zealand

In the Last year the Team at Alno Product Services has assited in getting over 75 Astra Convertible owners get their roofs moving again.

Parts to fit the Bertone 2001- 2006 Convertible

Since 2006 ALNO Product Services have been supplying Holden Dealers across Australia and New Zealand with reconditioned Holden Astra convertible roof latches and parts

Our components suit Holden Part Numbers. 0919 8575 &; 0919 8574 for the Bertone Convertible.

All parts supplied are offered with a 2 year warranty.

For more information http://www.alnoproductservices.com.au

Why risk your roof not working by going to someone whom only sells latches?

We have suppliers across Australia

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The biggest complement for any business is when another business or backyard machinist copies your product and sells it cheaper ….. But changing bearings that don’t need to be changed is excess expense that consumers don’t need to pay for……

Astra Bertone Convertible Roof Latch Bearings - Genuine parts are manufactured split bearings ….. Split bearings don’t crack they are manufactured that way …… Take a look at your bearings does it look like it has cracked in any direction under pressure or a force? ….. Or is it a uniform straight split 90 degrees to the folded / formed bearing sleeve that is formed in a manufacturing machine?

Furthermore these bearings rotate at less than 30 revolutions per minute on a flexible drive shaft which acts as a clutch when the latch jams ….. So I’m not sure where the force comes from to crack harden metal casing of the bearing

Either way you be the judge you could Google split bearing and check out the images ….. And you can Google cracked bearings and check out the images …..Then compare images against your bearings

Or you could go down to your local Holden dealer and ask to inspect the new genuine parts ….

At ALNO Product Services we don’t bullshit and charge you for changing bearings that don’t need to be changed…..

Please note once you turn down your threaded shaft to suit a commercial bearing and the latch jams ….. There is no going back to the original bearing…..

ALNO Product Services have over 9 years of assisting Astra Bertone Convertible owners get there roofs moving again

Why risk you roof ..... Holden Replacements are expensive


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Wednesday 27 March 2013

Astra Convertible Roof Locking Latch Parts

 Holden Astra Roof Bertone Convertible Replacement latches

Latches come with a 2 year warranty

Latches (Left and Right) have been reconditioned by ALNO Product services on the Central Coast and are offer on the basis of replacement.

Our latches are fully reconditioned replacing all broken and worn plastic components (3 parts per latch) with aluminum components and new bearings.

Holden Part Numbers Part No. 0919 8575 & 0919 8574

ALNO Product services have reworked over 75 sets of replacement latches for Holden dealers and offer advice on how to refit them.


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