| Author | Message | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 708 Registered: 11-2002 |
For those who have asked, I can do 348 too. Just look at the top of the shock body on your 348. Sometime toward the later model years, Ferrari changed to a crimped shock body top, which is not servicable. Compare the photo here to your car. If yours are crimped, unlike in the picture, I just need used shocks from another car (available at any dealer who ran 348 Challenge). If you want to convert to racing specs, I can revalve and convert to racing springs. Send me an email for details on your project. | ||
| Pete Greenwald (Ferrari4pete)
New member Username: Ferrari4pete Post Number: 6 Registered: 6-2003 |
No damage due to crash on mine so hopefully we can make this happen. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 773 Registered: 4-2002 |
"The car seems to be using more rear brakes then front maybe a brake bias problem?" If the front tires are not being held to the road due to a shock issue, the braking load usually taken by the fronts will be taken by the rears. Unless you get to threshold braking levels, or ABS kicks in, you might not notice. Get the tires planetd firmly on the ground before diddling with the brake bias. My F355 eats about 3 sets of front pads per 2 sets of rear pads on the track. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 683 Registered: 11-2002 |
Three ways to test and/or discover the problem: 1. Remove from the car and cycle the damper by hand (or body weight) and feel/ observe how "smoothly" the shock rod extends/retracts into the body. This is 'down and dirty' but unfortunately, usually the only method available to an auto repair facility. 2. Dyno the damper, this will tell all, or almost all. 3. Post mortem autopsy, then resuscitate with new parts. | ||
| Dr Mike Jacobsen (Dr_whoopie)
New member Username: Dr_whoopie Post Number: 9 Registered: 5-2003 |
Hi Rob: FofCF says the fronts were seized and the rears weren't bad but recomended replacing them too. The car seems to be using more rear brakes then front maybe a brake bias problem? Any idea aprox cost to check them and how do you check them. Thanks, Dr Mike | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 682 Registered: 11-2002 |
Pete, Dr. Mike, after further investigation, I am pleased to tell you that I can rebuild the F355 dampers as long as the shock body looks like this:  The top of the body states "Do not open." Yes, this is a 348 damper (steel body in gold, not the hardcoated aluminum body of the F355), rebuild is virtually the same, though parts can be more expensive, depending on what's damaged. I can test them too. Depending upon inspection to determine specific damage, you're looking at least two business weeks for rebuild, possibly more depending on parts procurement/ what's damaged. Unless they're damaged due to a crash (damaged shock body), rebuild will be less than replacement cost. Let me know. Best regards, Rob Schermerhorn | ||
| Pete Greenwald (Ferrari4pete)
New member Username: Ferrari4pete Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2003 |
Mike, Spoke w. my mechanic (Dave Helms) this afternoon becaues he called me earlier today to let me know about a 95' F355 he had just completed work on which he claims had seen "rough" driving, yet the shocks were aprox. 50% stiffer than my 98' F355. He wanted me to experience a test drive in car but I didn't make it over to the shop in time today. He is currently speaking w. Penske to determine a racing rebuilt alternative and said to keep our eyes open for any ideas. My shocks seemed fine but Dave informed me of the softness vs. other F355's. One other detail: the engine mounts. Dave showed me the work he did on the F355 he had in the shop today and the engine mount parts were SIGNIFCANTLY worn down, thus causing engine to travel up and down= less power transfer to wheels. My car has same problem, whereas nose pitchs up in the air with heavy acceleration (which it isn't supposed to do). As per shocks, Dave has some contacts at Penske which may be able to help. How many shocks did you say you needed? I need all 4 replaced and am having a difficult time swallowing the cost. Dave said dealer also likes to replace all related parts, even when not necessary, thus driving up the cost. Let's keep in touch this week and see what we find. Pete | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 676 Registered: 11-2002 |
I'll work on obtaining more info this work week. | ||
| Dr Mike Jacobsen (Dr_whoopie)
New member Username: Dr_whoopie Post Number: 7 Registered: 5-2003 |
Hi Pete: I too have a 355 and the dealer says the reason the suspension fault is on is because they are seized. The car seems to drive fine but I noticed when cruising about 80 there is a slight vibration that was annoying but I attributed that to a wheel balance problem. How did you determine your shocks were bad? BTW I called the Bilstein guy listed in another thread and when I mentioned the adjustment aspect and they were on a Ferrari he said they couldn't be rebuilt. Let me know if you think I need new shocks and if so let me know if you can get them for less than $700 the dealer charges. TIA Mike | ||
| Pete Greenwald (Ferrari4pete)
New member Username: Ferrari4pete Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2003 |
Does anybody have any F355 replacement shocks and/or ideas? My 98 F355 already needs shocks w. only 22k miles. Please feel free to e-mail direct. My mechanic (Dave Helms) is checking into rebuilds out of CA. Has anybody purchased rebuilt F355 shocks? Comments? |