HELP: 348 Shifting Issue

I just drove home from downtown San Diego and while on the freeway the two times I downshifted to 4th gear it made grinding noises. It sort of sounded like a second gear missed shift. The clutch was fully in. Anyone have any idea what happened as I'm totally freaked out. Once off the freeway I didn't have any issues with 1st - 3rd. Is this a bad servo or something simple?

 

I know everyone here will think I'm being a worry-wart. But...that was the first sign of my gearbox problems. I seemed to CRUNCH every down shift from 5->4. I could go from 5->3 with no problem, and 4->5 with no problem.... but going down to 4th was darn near impossible. The crunching started about 300 miles before the real 'kaboom'. Once I realized 4th was darn-near impossible to use, I just skipped that gear entirely. I doubt that helped my situation at all.

Now that I have lived the gearbox nightmare myself, I'd recommend draining the transmission fluid, and taking a peek in the inspection covers.
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From across the sea, I can hear the words of wisdom ringing true....

Mike in Kuwait

 

Im with you mate.

Drain the oil and inspect the plug for any signs of metal. Then, remove the inspection plate underneath and have a look inside.

You may be VERY lucky and caught this early, if there actually is an issue.

 

I heard a crunch once when I shifted from 1st to second while taking a corner. Later that day there was a very small pool of fluid under the bell housing. But then the drip went away and the clutch shifted normally. There was minimal metal shavings when we changed the gearbox oil. You need to check if the problem for the 5 -> 4 shift is a regular occurance or something transient and go from there.

 

Daniel
I'm going to take her out this morning and see if it happens again. If so it's straight to the shop on Monday. Appreciate the input!

 

If you are lucky it is simply a case of old gear oil, and fresh change might help. Seriously, another drive will prove little.
Try Redline 75w-90 NS, it is more "synchro friendly" than many other gear oils, and may help. Inspection as Daniel recommends is prudent regardless.

 

Thanks for all the help. I took it out again this morning and there is no problem with any upshift. The only problem is going from 5th to 4th. I talked to a buddy of mine that's own an independent Ferrari repair shop. He said my 4th gear syncro is going. He also said the same thing about trying another type of gear oil. The stuff that's in there now was added in December during a service. I need to go find out the manufacturer and specification. At least for now I can just skip 4th on the way down.

 

My question is...If the 4th gear synchro is going...Are you damaging the gearbox when you drive it and not using 4th gear. Common sense would tell me no, but from what happen to Daniel, it sounds like he did the exact same thing....He stopped using 4th gear and his whole gearbox went to crap in 300 miles...I don't think I would drive the car at all until you drain the gear oil, take some pics, and let the experts here chime in with their opinions...Ferrari repairs can get very costly, better to error on the side of caution...

 

My car is using Valvoline.

 

I had an appointment today with Gary Bobileff, Ferrari Guru, and on the way to his shop. I found the problem had gone away. Gary took my car for a drive and based on that and my description of the symptoms. He said something called a "Dog" probably had a broken spring and this may become be a transient issue. I shouldn't worry about it unless it came to a point that the car refused to go into a gear. He actually showed me some of the internals and how they all meshed together. Another good to know is that he has rebuilt a number of these gearboxes. I'm set if mine ever goes south. Enzo must be watching over me

 

While on the subject. Isn't the Mondial-t gearbox the same as the 348 with the exception of the mounts? If so couldn't you swap internals to a bad 348 gearbox? I'm asking as I own a Mondial-t gearbox.

 

Sam, just wanted to let yall know that the gear oil we put in mine that day is working out very good... smoother shifts for sure and NO leaks, where i had a slight one before.... weird

 

That sounds like Gary - customer service plus. He is realistic about spending a customer's money. What's weird is that he has clients who spend thousands and thousands restoring vintage cars, but can he can shift his perspective for us "commoners".

 

Ive bought 2 F-cars from Gary
He's a class act and takes care of the customer at all lengths.
I doubt that I would buy from anybody else.................

 

My gearbox shifts great too! Redline makes greats stuff.

Still a little reluctant in getting into 2nd when cold for about 5 minutes but after that it is a peach. I also don't have any leaks apart from that solitary incident.

 

That's good to hear guys... Not sure my homeowners insurance would cover two Ferrari tranny rebuilds.. LOL....

 

Jeremy, did you ever get your car out of the shop?

 

Mine made a clunking sound going from 5 to 4. When the shop opened the box everything inside was trashed. Hopefully going again in about a week or 2 with a replacement box and a steaming cheque book.

 

Not yet. Thay had to order the parts, etc, etc.. I also am having my seats re-dyed while it is in there... Can't wait to see them all freshened up.


Just got an email. She should be ready on Friday...