I noticed that numerous 360s have this issue. Anyone know the actual root cause? If you look carefully at the photos, you'll see that each fender lip (along the wheel arch) has a bulge / bump, or some type of unevenness -- which I'm guessing is caused by fender buckling / stress from someone sitting on the fenders, or some other load on the body caused by bumps / potholes / scraping of the front nose? Worse yet...none of the above -- a buckle that develops over the natural course of time / driving -- pointing to a design issue of a weak fender structure (but not that of the chassis). Check your 360, see if you notice anything, perhaps something you haven't noticed before. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
My mechanic pointed this problem to me recently... I hadn't noticed it before... He explained to me that this is due to failing front shock absorbers !!! They leak (at the towers) due to age (my car is 2002 and is approaching 10 years) and they stop producing any resisting force... They lose their oil and they move up and down with no resistance... I had my shocks fixed and the fenders straightened (luckily with no paint-job) as there was no substantial damage... If left like this, the fenders can crack and this can propagate over time to the upper surface of the fender !!!!!!! (You also get tire damage from the lip cutting into the edge of the tires, not good !!!) FIX THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID SERIOUS $$$ BODYWORK & PAINT DAMAGE !!!!!
I'm very sorry but I cannot see the exact area you are referring to. Could you possibly draw on the photo or include more info to help me out. Thank you. Yours. Tom
I have seen this on other 360's. I had been under the impression it was from the tire edge catching the lip at low speed while turning and/or under load.
On a 360 you have to roll the fenders as they will catch the tire on sharp angles or dips. The Stradale and all 430's the fenders come rolled from Ferrari.....clue I rolled my fenders day one and well, there's nothing for the tires to catch!
I also feel that this is very hard to see in the photos. Looking at the wheel like a clock - is it occuring between 11 and 1, or somewhere else? Is it caused by the tire contacting the wheel well/fender lip, or by some other reason? Is it more prevelant in cars with larger aftermarket wheels and tires? Were the leaking shock absorbers found during routine inspection during a service? The previous owner of my car had the fender lips rolled becuase he noted this problem - I would say it occured at about 2 o'clock becuase there still is some evidence.
These have been kinking since the first 360'***** the roads. Cars with OEM wheels, both starfish and modular exhibit it. I have a feeling it is more than a simple case of tire rubbing. Yes, it can be 'hidden' by rolling the fender. However, I think the stresses that cause the kinking are still quite present in the vehicle.
This. At least on MY 360 Spider it did it. I remember it happening. I was just backing out with the steering wheel locked all the way left barely rolling and rolled over a baseball bat the kids left in the driveway. It was enough to push the left front tire into contact with the fender lip. Fixed it, then it did it again a few months later. Had the fenders rolled in one of the trips to the body shop to respray the bumper and no issues since. This happened with factory modulars and the factory tires. Ive put 40K miles on it since then, some hard driving, and its never done it since rolling the fenders. It's a design flaw.
Sorry but your mechanic is full of BS, this is a common fault. My LH fender actually split as a result. Simple solution is to roll the lip back before this.
Thanks for all the valuable insights, folks. I just heard back from a service director who dealt with 360s since it was introduced, and he responded with: I've seen this a lot. It's the tire catching the fender lip and pulling it down. If you turn the tire out and look...the contact point of the tire edge to the fender is what causes it. Cars with aftermarket wheels and/or lowered have this happen more often but even stock cars will do it. It happens when the body moves down under suspension compression with the wheels turned. Is your car doing it? So I wrote back: Yes, should I ignore it? It doesn't really bug me, but if things will get worse (like it's likely to catch again...except now much easier with the protrusion), then I should probably look into it. The clear bra place that I went to told me that it has to be repaired VERY carefully to avoid cracking the paint, which will lead to rust, and / or cracking the metal, which will lead to the crack propagating to the main part of the fender! It's currently only on my passenger's side front fender. Thoughts? What have the other 360 owners, who have experienced this problem, typically done? If nothing, have things been just fine? Thanks! Will keep you guys posted...
Never seen 'Aluminum rust'....lol Better call Alcoa as they'd love to chime in on this one Just Roll them buddy, you're Done!
Chiaroman and PFSEX, my apologies for not having better close-up photos. Believe it or not, these photos were pulled up randomly from the 360s currently for sale online...just to prove a point on the pervasive nature of this problem! The factory wheel arch of the fender should be PERFECTLY semi-circular. Just trace along the line of the lip with your eyes, you'll see a bump, irregularity, and / or part of the lip pulled out slightly (i.e., not 100% perpendicular to the fender).
I need to roll mine. Installed 15mm H&R spacers with H&R springs and the tires catch the fenders quite easily. It results in these bulges. For now, running without front spacers until I get the chance to roll them.
Actually - you have never seen aluminum that is not 'rusted' (corroded - term rust applies to only steel). Aluminum corrodes immediately on exposure to the elements. But due to its nature, only the very top layer corrodes and then the process ends. Just for thought.
My 01 spiders drivers fender looks has the little buldge on the top inner lip of the fender just like in the first picture. However the dealership did a full inspection as well as checking my suspension and they said everything was in great shape.
Great info, thanks! Anyone know of a trustworthy place in Boston / New England area to get this done?
Had my 360 spider detailed last week, and the detailer noticed left front fender buckling like the photos. Ive also been noticing loud squeaky sound from that side for last few times going up on my new driveway (just moved to a new house that has a steep sidewalk and have to approach at an angle to prevent scraping the bottom). Took it to GP Enterprises in Redwood City where I got my annual service done recently today to show the owner, Geoff, and he knew the issue right away. He was able to demonstrate my left front tire catching on the fender lip where the buckling occurred; sound was coming from the tire touching the fender. He sent many 360s to get fenders rolled with no further issue. This could cause tire sidewall damage if left alone. He checked shock absorbers & springs; not related to this prob as per Geoff. Hope it's no more than $150-300 to get it done. Is that for each side or for both? Thanks!
