Suggestions?
I have never driven my baby in the rain (currently live in Portland, OR!). I actually just went to the garage & verified that my wipers work, all appears well. Still hope to never drive her in the rain!
http://www.tirerack.com/wipers/detail.jsp?ID=1046&autoMake=Ferrari&autoModel=F355&autoYear=1995&autoModClar=
I put Bosch Aerotwins on my MINI and SmartCar. I think they're the best wipers around. All the best, Andrew.
It's this kind of talk that has me thinking 355s will literally shut down and stop functioning if driven in the rain! lol I don't make it a point to drive in the rain (in fact, I've actually never driven in the rain) but I don't want to get caught in a sudden shower and find that I can't see the road. I'm sure my present wipers are the original wipers and they're not very good. Has anyone actually changed the wipers on their 355??
I too went to the extreme (pardon the wording Erick) and removed the entire blade assembly on my car. It definitely improves the looks and all parts/tools are stored in the boot for quick restoration should the skies in SoCal ever open up unexpectedly. Right now I'm just dealing with ash coming from the Idyllwild Mountain Fire. Good luck Doc... Henry
Could you tell us a bit more about what was involved in removing the wipers? How long to reinstall? Did you cap off the wiper fluid hose?
I've only owned/driven my car for 1 summer and a half and got caught in the rain at least 5-6 times... I can't imagine not having wipers, it would be way too dangerous + forecasts are not always precise (And I don't live in a particularly rainy climate)
Getting caught in the rain in a F355s. Stop, get wet. Get out of the car and get more wet. Removed the top cover, still getting wet. Get back I the car, now with wet seats, and get more wet. Push the button and hope, while getting more wet. Sit there like a fool in an amusement park while the seats moves forward, and apologize to wife while you are both still getting wet. Finally the top comes up and hopefully closes all the way. By now your so wet you have to ask why you bothered to stop instead of just maintaining speed and letting the rain go over you head. Getting caught in the rain in a Porsche Boxster: Slow down to about 35mph Push the close top button. Lock the top and resume speed. Never felt a drop. This is why when they are predicting scattered showers in CT I take the Boxster out, not the Ferrari. Happened just today.
The wiper assembly on each side comes off with a single bolt Ken. I store both in a pouch along with the hardware and socket wrench necessary for a quick re-install (about a minute each). I capped off the washer ports as well as the wiper motor splines with rubber caps. Again, I live in Southern California. If rain were ever on the horizon, we can spot it coming a mile away. Cheers, Henry
Thanks for the feedback Henry. I removed my wipers today and I think it makes the car look great. It's official because my 9 year old agrees. I would have broken the pantograph arm if not for this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/71767-windshield-wiper-arm-diagram-348-a.html No sooner was the job finished before my mother dropped by to suggest that wiperless automobiling may be illegal. Sheesh. I will get caught in the rain sometime soon and just plan to tough it out with some Rain-X prep. Probably also keep the drivers side in the boot just in case. Thanks for another fun project suggestion! Ken
I finally discovered the wipers work...... as red was wet upon in Arizona of all places. Tho I believe Ferrari wipers are in name only, I did discover the higher the RPM/speed, the less water was upon the windshield. But my oh my, I discovered they do actuate....amazing, after how long?
Not a bad idea, since I don't drive mine in the rain either. To the OP - Bosch (albeit expensive) is good brand to go with.
By the way, loved your post John. I could almost feel the misery while reading the narrative about the Spider.