Can someone with a 355 pull the plug on their front tow bolt cover and tell me what you see? Pulled the front tow bolt cover and there was solid rubber instead of threads to screw the tow bolt into. Thought it was an extra plug or cap... Checked the parts book...Nada. I remember a few months back looking at it when I pulled the front bumper for repainting the spoiler and thinking to myself that I did not see threads. I think the boys in Italy may have had too much vino at lunch that day... Comments anyone?
I have seen this before, and also seen where the tow hook has been used, but not screwed in enough and stripped the threads. If you need to re-do the thread you will need a 16 x 2 (metric) tap.
But there are no threads! That's what's strange. Solid rubber piece, similar to the rubber in a motor mount. I had to drill the rubber out and went as far as the frame and stopped drilling. I have to look at another 355 to figure this out. The frame is not all that thick, so I may have to weld a "nut" behind the frame to allow the bolt to screw down completely. Want to winch the car from the front to trailer it and this is the only place I can hook a winch cable.
Frank, . I sent you an email also but thought you may actually see this first. I have a '98 355 F1 (if it makes any difference) and found the exact same problem as you described - solid rubber in the hole, no evidence of threads. In your investigation, did you find out how this happened? Have you found a solution? Also, is there an alternate tow point until this is resolved? I'm now paranoid about having a towing situation... Please advise.... Thanks
This eye bolt is not very strong on the frame box. I do not know why the street cars have them anyways. Any tow truck driver would by pass this and hook the a-arms and drag from there. Yes you can do a-arm damage but not if you hook it right. Similarly the tow driver is not going to lock the load by that eyebolt. he will either hook the a-arms or he will tie down on the wheels with a strap kit. IMO if 355FL really wants to winch nose first it would be better to weld on a 3/16" eye to the frame box under the car 6 inches in front of the front lower a-arm attachment point. This is frame and is as strong as the eyebolt attachment point. If you weld one on the other side you can also use these as tiedown points too. However, it is better to tiedown by the a-arms (suspension) so the car floats free but wheels stay put.
OK let me back up. This whole thing came about because I bought a new trailer and am using a winch for the first time. Wanted to winch the car front/then rear end first to determine weight and balance. Discovered no tow bolt threads on front, as stated. Billybob - this is not to secure the car, only to get her up on trailer. What you mentioned will not work due to 355, unlike 348, has an enclosed undercarraige...can't grip A-arms or weld on without removing/destroying panels. Geer - If you get in trouble make sure he tows the car from the rear end first, plenty of places on the sub frame to grab a hook / strap to. For me it became a moot point because the trailer works better rear end first. FYI - A company called G-Force makes killer straps for racing lowered cars with a variety of options like axle straps that can be used to get into tight places and hook a winch to. Also "lowered" ratchet's that allow you to place and tighten a ratchet strap under the car. Most excellent quality! When I towed her in nose first, I actually towed her from the rear of the car with the strap runing under the entire length of the car..sounds strange, but it worked. Geer - We're doing Moroso this weekend and today I need to stop by Shelton for some parts...I'll talk to service and see what they say about the missing threads and what the options are... will post here. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Frank, Thanks for the info. I'm still wondering how this happened (hole plugged) given the importance of the tow capability... is it just really just bad QC, because someone made the effort to plug the hole as though it is intentional. Anything you can find out about this is most appreciated. Also, thanks for the advice regarding G-Force.. I'll take a look at the options... I look forward to hearing any future findings about this from you...
Follow Up - Went to Shelton yesterday. They just scratched their head. I'm 97 and mentioned that someone (Geer) with 98 had same. Very experienced service staff and never saw it before. I had the 355 "specialist" with a service tech and the service manager there. Said just must have forgot to do it at the factory...agree to much vino at lunch... Not an issue for me as I tow from the rear. They said they could weld a receiver to the frame...I'm sure your dealer can do same.
Frank, So I guess you and I just happened to hit the "towless" lottery. Perhaps it was just an oversight but with the solid rubber plug in the hole on my car, exactly as you described yours, it looks intentional to me (at least it required someone's effort). I haven't gone to the effort of digging the rubber out, and probably won't. I'll buy the axel straps you suggest and move on. It is, however, dissapointing to find these rediculous little issues. Thank you for your post. It prompted me to look at my tow bolt location. At least now I'm aware of the issue...
Dave, Are you saying that, because the rubber mount was placed on wrong on the frame, the threaded attachment never was welded to the frame (no place) - the car just moved to the next assembly item and the cut out for the threads just appears to be plugged? You've seen/heard of this before - Dave and I aren't the only "lucky" ones in the 355 Ferrari world? Ferrari QC doesn't fix something like that (or notice it)? Have you seen, or are you aware of, any reasonable repair method (other than welding a receiver onto the frame like Dave mentioned) or are the tow straps the best approach? What is the downside of the tow straps? I'll use a flatbed only if I need a tow..... so are there special procedures I need to tell the tow truck driver to use when backing the car onto the trailer from the rear of the car with straps?
