Replacement 355 hood supports? | FerrariChat

Replacement 355 hood supports?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Dave_Car_Guy, Jul 27, 2004.

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  1. Dave_Car_Guy

    Dave_Car_Guy Karting

    Apr 24, 2004
    130
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Dave
    I have searched the threads but found little on this subject. I am trying to find a source to purchase replacement "hood shocks" (also known as gas-charged supports for the engine deck lid). Any ideas? One thread suggested that suitable replacements could be found at various auto parts stores. I also found Sachs NA (***.sachsna.com) on the web but they seem to have a hood shock for every F-car model EXCEPT the 355. Would a 348 one fit?

    I've got to imagine I'm not the only one whose F355 deck lid sags (no Viagra jokes!). The lid won't stay up, especially when on a slight uphill incline (like my driveway). I saw one thread with a good suggestion to use wire around the piston part of the shock to help hold the piston part of the lid support, but that seems a bit "bailing wire"-ish for such a nice car. I would be interested in hearing any other suggestions on how to "tighten" them up or rebuild them.

    Thanks, as a relatively new owner, the information shared here has been very valuable to me.
     
  2. Merdav

    Merdav Formula Junior

    Apr 11, 2004
    980
    You will never find them at a local parts store, I tried. Thier propriatary parts as most ferrari parts are, I finally broke down and gave the dealer $132 for mine. Shortly after read this post.......
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23058&highlight=struts
    New struts are nice though, if the engine is just s little warm, pull the lever and the hood goes all the way up on it's own :).
     
  3. drsrock

    drsrock Karting

    Nov 20, 2003
    238
    Colts Neck, NJ
    Full Name:
    Alex
    I did not mess around w/ aftermarket & got them from WWoC while the car was there to check a leak. They were ~$125 for 2 and they put them in @ no charge. Told you Justin was the man!
     
  4. Dave_Car_Guy

    Dave_Car_Guy Karting

    Apr 24, 2004
    130
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Thanks Alex and Michael,
    Michael: That other thread that discussed lift supports put me through to rockauto.com where they have lift support struts for 308's and 328's but no stated application for the 355. I think you did OK just getting them from the dealer. I have found two more websites with possible aftermarkets (manufactured by Monroe or JC Whitney) but I think for the extra $80 I may just have to go with the OEM.
     
  5. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    17,913
    USA
    Sachs makes the struts for Ferrari...and you can buy them from any Sachs dealer...they just won't have the Ferrari script or horsey on them.

    Here is the catalog from Sachs with all their applications:
    http://www.sachsna.com/owx_medien/media103/10360.pdf

    Surprisingly, the 355 and 360 are not listed....either this is out of date, or perhaps Ferrari switched vendors???
     
  6. william Heung

    william Heung Rookie

    Dec 4, 2003
    21
    I was looking for a replacement gas stud for my 355 Spider. I was making it a project to find a replacement as I remember vividly these gas studs did not last long on my previously 348. I went to every Germany and Italian made to get the equivalent. I finally found it at the Audi dealer. I don't know which model Audi it's for but by bring the sample I got a identical replacement except for 3 things. (1) half the price (2) Twice as strong. (3) Comes in polished aluminium istead of painted. You will only need to replace one side as it is twice as strong. Leave one side with the old one. This is a saving of 4 Time.

    Have fun with it.

    Rgds William.
     
  7. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
    Owner

    May 24, 2004
    9,334
    DC/LA/Paris/Haleiwa
    Full Name:
    Mr.
    William,

    Is there a part number on the support or the reciept you got from the Audi dealer?
     
  8. robertinOK

    robertinOK Karting

    Dec 5, 2003
    209
    Stillwater, Oklahoma
    Full Name:
    RobertWakeling.com
    just my few cents worth....I refuse to pay Ferrari prices on these parts, and have replaced the supports for the engine cover on my 308, and the front and rear supports on my boxer with parts from Napa. about $16.00 each. They look and work exactly as the orriginals, but without the 'Ferrari' silk screened on the side.
    Robert
     
  9. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    17,913
    USA
    Would you be so kind as to post the part numbers....when you have time?

    Thanks,
    Dave
     
  10. william Heung

    william Heung Rookie

    Dec 4, 2003
    21
    Sorry for the delay reply. I finally dug up the invoice but it only mentioned as "Rr Bonnet Absorber" with no part number. Price equavelent to USD33.50. I will get my Digital camera next Week as my 355 is in the condo and see if I can get you all a photo. With only I side of the absorber change, I have to put one hand on to the rear bonnet to keep it from poop up too fast. Eventually with time as the absorber worn a little bit, I sure I will not need to do this.

    Best Regards

    William
     
  11. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 10, 2003
    10,043
    Singapore
    Any updates here? I'm looking to get my front struts replaced. I checked the RockAuto site, and couldn't find the struts either under the Ferrari folder, or by searching under Sachs / Stabilus / Struts? :confused:

    I also downloaded the Sachs parts pdf, and as davehanda points out, note that it doesn't list the 355 or 360.

    What is "Napa"?

    Any leads appreciated.

    Thx.
     
  12. riverflyer

    riverflyer F1 Rookie

    Nov 26, 2003
    3,583
    Mendocino, Ca
    Full Name:
    John
    Yes, I am in the same boat and tired of the deck lid slowly closing on my head if I forget to prop!!Part numbers please.
     
  13. RF128706

    RF128706 Formula Junior

    Apr 8, 2004
    280

    Hi Dave,

    the rear engine cover struts are made by STABILUS, not Sachs.

    The Ferrari PN is 62175300, RRP in Italy is EUR18.51 each +TAX. If you speak Italian you can order them from Ferrari Motor Service in Modena telephone +39 059 281 357. Shipping to US could be pricey.

    Alternatively, you can source them through any Stabilus dealer. The Stabilus part number for the same part is 094390.

    You can search for your nearest Stabilus dealer at: http://www.stabilus.com/frameset.asp?sprache=englisch&headline=Service&bereich=service&subsite=menue.asp

    (just tried the link, but seems not to work every time so you can start at www.stabilus.com they have outlets across Europe and US).

    I hope this helps.

    Rob.
     
  14. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    17,913
    USA
    Rob,
    Can you please reconfirm that the part number quoted (094390) is correct for the engine lid of a 355? It is not listed in the Stabilus link you provided...but does show the part number as correct for the front bonnet of a 355, and also for the front and rear of the 348.

    Dave
     
  15. RF128706

    RF128706 Formula Junior

    Apr 8, 2004
    280
    Dave, I'm not 100% certain, I got the number from the Stabilus site...

    start the application guide applet and in the "Manufacturer" section select Ferrari with no part number in the box. Click GO and you get a complete list of Ferrari cross refs. click on the F. PN 62175300 and you get the cross ref. to 094390.

    Bearing in mind that the database is only as good as the person who typed in the data I would always personally check the PN on the parts you take off to check the cross-ref.

    Rob.
     
  16. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    17,913
    USA
    Okay, thanks, I see how you got the cross reference....I just noticed that under their complete Ferrari listings, they omitted the 355 engine lid struts. Sounds like you have quoted the correct one.

    It also appears that both the 348 and 355 share the same part numbers.
     
  17. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 10, 2003
    10,043
    Singapore
    Rob,

    Where am I going wrong? I (i) click on www.stabilus.com, (ii) click on the "Applications" Tab, and (iii) click on "Automotive", but all I get are examples of the types of products that Stabilus makes for automobiles. Where are you guys seeing the ability to choose "Ferrari," and cross-reference parts?

    More importantly, davehanda, it seems that you've been able to confirm that Stabilus part # 094390 is the correct part for both the front hood and the rear engine cover, correct? Have you been able to find a distributor for these guys, here in the U.S.? I've searched and found a couple of vendors that say they carry Stabilus products, but none of which have a sophisticated enough site to let me search for the product number.
     
  18. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    17,913
    USA
    Once on the Stabilus website, click on "spare parts", then "automotive", then choose "english", then you will be offered three methods of searching...try the middle one, and choose "ferrari". This should bring up all the Ferrari part numbers...when you click on the one you want..it will show the cross referenced Stabilus part number. That is as far as I know....I have not confirmed that these are actually correct, nor I have I even looked for a distributor or dealer.

    Dave
     
  19. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 10, 2003
    10,043
    Singapore
    Got it. Thanks, and sorry for being so dense. Will start my search for distributors tomorrow, and will post what I find.
     
  20. william Heung

    william Heung Rookie

    Dec 4, 2003
    21
    Sorry as I have forget all about it. Tell you what I've do. I will go to the audi dealer tomorrow where I gotten the stud and check the part no and which model of Audi it was for.

    regards

    William
     
  21. william Heung

    william Heung Rookie

    Dec 4, 2003
    21
    As the previous bonnet stud that I bought has already installed in the rear cover, It was difficult to get to it and I'm not going to take it out just to read. I still have the old Stabillis stud, took it to the Audi spare shop again and bought another one. Like I mentioned both ball joint ends including the shaft are chrome while the original are black. The body Cylinder is black. The made is "TRIDON" and the Dealer give me part number as 4B5 827 552D and claims that it is for the rear bonnet of the Audi A6 (C5) . It cost me another $33. I saving this for the front bonnet. Again be warn that it is slightly fatter and extra strong even with just one. If you change both, you might bent the bonnet trying to close it. Even with one on the rear, I would have to put a hand on the cover before I pull the level as it will spring up. Hope this help.

    rgds

    William
     
  22. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 10, 2003
    10,043
    Singapore
    Any updates on distibutors? Unfortunately, I haven't had time to make calls as yet, but hopefully will be able to do so this week.
     
  23. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 10, 2003
    10,043
    Singapore
    Made three or four calls today to shops that advertise carrying Stabilus products, but none of them seemed to be open. Will check back again early next week. Doesn't anybody in the Midwest work on Saturdays? ;-)

    Will try to check in with RockAuto on Monday and see what they say. Have also sent an email to Stabilus asking them for their distributor list - lets see what I get back.

    Please let me know if any of you have met with more success in finding a Stabilus vendor.
     
  24. RF128706

    RF128706 Formula Junior

    Apr 8, 2004
    280
    Ghost, it might be easier for you to find somebody who speaks Italian to call Ferrari Motor Service in Modena. See my post further up the thread. EUR18.51 each is dirt cheap -- just depends on the shipping cost. Sounds like stabilus is not widely operating in your part of the world !
     
  25. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    17,913
    USA
    Ferrar of Seattle sells the factory rear engine hood struts for $37.48 each. FWIW.
     

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