How to raise 360 suspension ?

It's been mentioned many times on the board that every 3-5 years the 360 Modena tends to sit lower on its springs and there is a need to raise the height again.
The common rubbing of the front fenders I believe is attributed to this issue.
Can anyone explain the process of re-setting / raising the 360 suspension back to normal height ?
What is the level of difficulty and is the procedure explained anywhere on the WSM ?
Thanks !

 

Pretty simple if you have a spring compressor. Compress spring (carefully) and then turn to raise the threaded perch. Best to take it to a shop that does Ferrari suspension alignments and have someone do it for you. After raising ride height, you then need to have a full 4 wheel suspension alignment because toe and camber will change.

 

As Taz says, see a specialist. If someone just puts the car on a lift and attempt to raise the suspension by turning the perches without compressing the springs, you can strip the threads on the shock body!

 

The previous owner of my car had it lowered, which did not agree with my driveway, so I had FoH raise it back up. As explained to me, the correct procedure is to remove the coilover, thread the perch up or down as needed, then re-assemble. It is an iterative process, because unlike other cars or tuners that claim to be able to adjust the shock on the car, at $1000 per, I prefer to not strip the coilover threads. Approximately eight full turns equals one-half inch of travel. Sounds like an expensive task, but in the hand of a qualified tech, it cost me less than $300 for the two fronts.

 

I've done it with the proper wrench. Spray the thread with WD40 and let it soak for a few minutes. Wipe it clean afterward. No stripping of the thread, it's a myth.

 

Andy- $300 for a ride height adjustment and suspension alignment is a real bargain.

 

It was less than $300 to only adjust the two front coilovers.

 

My 360 Modena was sitting too low. Got some curb scrapes that I had repaired the front bumper and decided to raise my ride height.

Managed to that today ... was more difficult than I thought it would be. But managed to get a get first stab at this.

First, the specifications from the Ferrari 360 Shop Manual ...

Front ride height: 12.5 cm measured from ground to reference point on front suspension arm
Rear ride height: 14.6 cm measured from ground to reference point on front suspension frame.

The shop manual specifies that measurement should be made after you place enough weight in the car to simulate two passengers. Ferrari recommends 70kg per passenger (308 lbs). I am heavy so I decided to up that to 400 lbs.

Took measurements with 400 lbs load and observed the following measurements:
LF: 10.0 cm RF: 10.1 cm LR: 12.8 cm RR: 13.1 cm

So I decided I would adjust fronts only at first. I used two coil spring compressors ... and here is where I had problems. There just is not a lot of room to use the compressors with the shocks in place. I managed to compress the springs so that I can adjust the threaded ring, but it was difficult process. Next time, I would recommend just remove the shocks with the springs in place and make the adjustments off the car.

I adjusted the threaded collar 8 full turns (8 x 1.5 mm = 12.0 mm). I did not want to go too far this first time. After a lengthy time trying to get the spring compressors in place, I managed to perform this, but only with the fronts. Getting late and decided to check results.

After making front adjustments, here are the measurements (with 400 lb load inside car)

LF: 11.7 cm RF: 11.8 cm LR: 13.1 cm RR: 13.3 cm

So to bring everything to recommended spec, looks like I need to raise the fronts another 7 mm. The rears 15 mm.

I am going to leave it alone for a while and then make final adjustment ... but this next time, I will remove the shocks and adjust off the car. At same time replace bushings and the large rubber rings on the perch and upper ring of the shocks.

Took some photos, but forgot to take some with spring compressors installed. Would not likely have turned out as too dark. Maybe next time.

Regards,

Steve
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It worked for you...doesn't mean it will work for everyone. I've seen it happen on Ferraris, including on one of my own (F355). Dealer says it most definitely can happen, and why they remove them, use a spring compressor, make the adjustment, then release the spring and reinstall.

I would suspect the risk is particularly a concern for the OPs situation, where you are raising the car, thus compressing the spring and putting considerable tension against the threaded perch.

 

Thanks for sharing Steve. I went through this a couple times working with an independent and a dealer with my F355. Springs take a set with age...particularly with the front on F355s it seems (I was 20mm low initially, and had to raise another 11 or 12mm 3 years later.. I guess the F360 is no different

 

Prove it. Show me a picture of a stripped shock thread. You're also allow to do a search using Google image...

"Dealer says it most definitely can happen" but didn't say "it has happen".

 

I think you are being a little childish in your defensive stance. Let's be more clear, since semantics mean a lot to you: I have personally experienced a shock with galled, damaged threads on my F355, after a local race shop raised my car up to stock height, without removing the shock and using a spring compressor. My local dealer has seen this problem as well...the shock bodies are aluminum, so it is not hard to do.

Will it happen to everyone? No, but it most certainly can, and the cost to replace a shock is over $1000 for most applications. Thus my advise to use caution, and follow the FNA dealer recommendation. If one choses to adjust on the car, that is obviously their choice, and their risk, but I am simply reminding of the possible consequences.

Okay, on to the requested pictures (thanks for "allowing" me to use Google Image, but not necessary, I just had to walk out to my garage and dig through a few boxes)....this is the front shock off my F355:
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I will mention that I make height adjustments on my BMW without removing the struts or shocks. But the difference is by simply putting the car on stands, it takes much more of the spring tension off, compared to on my Ferraris. Also, the Bilstein shock and strut bodies are steel. I do the same method as you, clean the threads, spray with a lubricant then go to town.

And the financial risk is much lower...my Bilstein coilover kit was perhaps $1100 for all four, and Bilstein can replace the bodies for $150 or so if I were to strip the threads on one.

 

Very interesting picture. Looks like the monkey tried to loosen the perch nut with a hammer and chisel in a horizontal manner before putting the wrench to it. Seem to be a slippage of the chisel or screw driver on the lower threads. Only one thread is completely stripped. Weakened thread section perhaps?

 

Or...those marks on the perch were what was needed to get the spring perch loose from the damaged area. It was really locked in very tight, due to the damaged threads....but you seem to know all, so I will let you continue to ignore the obvious and speculate...

 

Unless the explanation is directly from the monkey's mouth, of course it's all speculation. I only interpret what I see. Looking deeper, this shock has definitely gone through some tough times. It has gone through many, many up/down adjustments. So much so that the centre section of the threads are worn and bowed compared to the upper or lower section of the shocks. The threads are even more sharply tapered which is a definite sign of wear.

This shock is destined to fail, whether to use a spring compressor or not for the adjustments. Good chances that the other three shocks are probably in the same condition.

No hard feelings!
Thank you for your contribution and best wishes!
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No problem, but your interpretation (speculation) is purely yours and not fact either. I have the facts from the two technicians that performed the work: The first time (independent race shop), when the damage occurred, and later, when the shock was replaced (FNA dealer). There was agreement to the cause and result.

The car had not been through many adjustments. I purchased the car used, at 6+ years old, with all records. Prior to my having the work done, there had been no previous adjustments or changes...IIRC, the was still paint markings on the perches.

You can continue with all of your speculations and assumptions...I'm done. I really was not out to change your mind, only for others to understand that your advice comes from your single experience adjusting the suspension height. I have a different experience, and heard from a Ferrari master technician that this is not uncommon, and a risk with not using a spring compressor. You stated it was a "myth" and it is not. One can make height adjustments without a spring compressor and it may work out fine....but they need to understand and assume all risks with that choice.

 

i removed front coil overs (Shock) and put in vice loosen the collars and put 4.5 turns on drivers and 4 on passenger side. Since I usually ride solo. I do not rub at all and ride is smoother. I feel no loss on handling.The car stock seems to ride a tad lower in front.More level now. 4 turns equal 6mm. It was good for me. I also used a level to see if camber was changed and it was not. I figure it was set when car was fresh now i put it back.

 

forgot to say I did measure ride height, i made pieces or wood at 4.9 something shop manual says from frame to floor. Not in the tough. it feels great to me.It was easy too remove shock. clean with wd 40 and again keep it lubed and clean when turning collars..Loosen the sway bar link first and then air gun with the lower arm supported and the gun will take it apart fast. it took me 15min to remove once jacked up and wheel removed