550 Spongey Brakes and Floppy Sun Visors | FerrariChat

550 Spongey Brakes and Floppy Sun Visors

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Peter Roe, Jun 23, 2020.

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  1. Peter Roe

    Peter Roe Rookie

    Mar 28, 2020
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    Peter Roe
    #1 Peter Roe, Jun 23, 2020
    Hi. My 1997/8 550 Maranello, which I've owned for four years, has spongey brakes. My local specialist has thoroughly flushed the system and all calipers to little effect and suspects the fault lies with the ABS actuator pump. Apparently these are not available new and if they were they cost £1800. Eurospares can't help, Does anyone know where i might source one - or have experience of companies claiming to be able to rebuild them? There are a couple of second hand ones for sale in Germany and Poland but I'm reluctant to take a chance. Or is there something else that might be causing this? Also, the sunvisors do not stay up due to lack of friction at the detachable ends. Is there a simple fix to this? Thanks all. Peter
     
  2. wbklink

    wbklink F1 Rookie
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    #2 wbklink, Jun 23, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2020
  3. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 19, 2008
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    #3 tazandjan, Jun 23, 2020
    Peter- Does your local specialist have a diagnostic tool that allows him to empty and bleed the ABS system? Just bleeding the calipers may still leave water and air in the ABS system.
     
    root likes this.
  4. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #4 ferraridriver, Jun 23, 2020
  5. wbklink

    wbklink F1 Rookie
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    #5 wbklink, Jun 23, 2020
  6. hwyman

    hwyman Formula Junior

    Jun 25, 2015
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    #6 hwyman, Jun 23, 2020
    +1 on Daves visor fix :)
     
  7. root

    root Formula Junior
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    #7 root, Jun 23, 2020
    ABS in the 550 Maranello is Bosch 5.0, similar to those used in the '95 Corvettes and other large GM passenger cars of that period. Don't know if they can be direct fit for the 550 but worth looking into. There are no bleed valves or scan tool for that module. According to Ferrari WSM bleeding should start from front brakes and from both caliper sides.
     
  8. Peter Roe

    Peter Roe Rookie

    Mar 28, 2020
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    #8 Peter Roe, Jun 24, 2020
    That's really helpful about the visors. Sounds like Dave/ferraridriver is the man. Apologies but I'm a novice on forums/threads and can't figure out how to contact Dave. Please can you advise - my email is [email protected]
    Thanks also for ABS thoughts which I will follow up.
     
  9. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 tazandjan, Jun 24, 2020
    Just click on his link above and later start a private conversation with him.
     
  10. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 10, 2002
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    #10 fatbillybob, Jun 25, 2020
    I would like to know how that diagnosis was made...I do not buy that as a reason for spongy brakes.
     
  11. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
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    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #11 tazandjan, Jun 25, 2020
    Peter- Guess no diagnostic tool, but one thing you might try is replacing the old, possibly much weaker than they were originally, rubber brake lines with stainless wrapped ones. Often provides a much firmer brake pedal.
     

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