360 M handling problem | FerrariChat

360 M handling problem

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Modena Scotland, Apr 13, 2005.

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  1. Modena Scotland

    Modena Scotland Karting

    Mar 2, 2005
    197
    Scotland, UK
    Full Name:
    Mass
    I am experiencing a stability problem on a straight road at moderate speeds of say 100mph. Sometimes, the car seems to sway from side to side but not always. This also seems to happen when braking hard as well.

    I have already checked the tyre pressures and conditions. The front tyres have about 4mm treads left (P Zero) and the rear ones are almost new (Bridgestone Potenza S-02).

    A full suspension alignment was carried out by a Ferrari specialist about 3k miles ago.

    There is no noise coming from the front end to indicate any problems. However, when the steering is on full lock for parking, some front end parts of the car rubs against each other.

    I am suspecting the common ball joints wear, do you have any other ideas?
     
  2. Ferrari_tech

    Ferrari_tech Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2003
    1,527
    UK
    Full Name:
    Malcolm W

    I see you have a mixture of tyres (manufacturers), did this start when the rears were replaced (assuming you had them replaced), but my money would be on ball joints
     
  3. Modena Scotland

    Modena Scotland Karting

    Mar 2, 2005
    197
    Scotland, UK
    Full Name:
    Mass
    I only noticed the instability on a straight lien after changing the rear tyres. However, the instability occured during baking a number of times before.
     
  4. Ferrari_tech

    Ferrari_tech Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2003
    1,527
    UK
    Full Name:
    Malcolm W
    Have the ball joints checked for wear first, but sounds like it could be tyre related.
     
  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    I agree with Malcom, ck the balljoints but never, never mix tires on any of the modern cars. You can wind up with some very evil handling characteristics.

    While you are changing tires have an alignment done. Some of the cars came with the alignment very poorly set.
     
  6. richard_wallace

    richard_wallace Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,956
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Richard Wallace
    I second the tires - if they have different treads (which they do) - your car will feel very squirrelly in a straight line. You can even find this with the same tires - if the back is newer than the front or in reverse.

    I had the same issue on my 355 spider - and I will tell you it is unnerving - feels like it sways to the right and left at speed.

    Go get matching tires - and you will be set.
     
  7. ZINGARA 250GTL

    ZINGARA 250GTL F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 21, 2002
    17,499
    PA
    Full Name:
    Ken
    All of the advice you have received is very useful. However, a strange phenomenon can occur as tires age and wear. You do not say how old your tires are on the front. Sadly, as some high speed tires near the end of their useful life, the internal radial plys begin to separate causing instability at speeds around 80 mph and above. This happened to my Porsche 928. If you notice the loss of a wheel weight along with the stability problem at speed, you need new tires. Cheers, Ken in PA USA.
     
  8. 4i2fly

    4i2fly Formula 3

    Apr 16, 2004
    1,333
    SF, Bay Area
    I am almost certain is the tires...A buddy of mine mixed tires on his 2001 Spider and as some posted earlier freaky things started happening while on a straight line...after tire replacement he was back to normal. I must add he had put all seasons Pilots in the rear.
     
  9. teak360

    teak360 F1 World Champ

    Nov 3, 2003
    10,065
    Boulder, CO
    Full Name:
    Scott
    Recently changed the rear tires only on the 360 from P Zero Rossa to Nero's. The handling went from not so good compared to the Michelin Pilot Sport to terrible. Twitchy and unstable.
     
  10. Modena Scotland

    Modena Scotland Karting

    Mar 2, 2005
    197
    Scotland, UK
    Full Name:
    Mass
    Thank you all for your input.

    The front tyres are coming near to the end of useful life anyway so I shall change them to matching Potenza and see if this makes the change.

    By the way, if the ball joints are worn, do they make any noise at the front? I am having this checked on Monday as well.
     
  11. zorzos

    zorzos Karting

    Aug 6, 2004
    147
    Greece
    Do anyone knows the cost of replacing the ball joints?
     
  12. GTO84

    GTO84 Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2003
    565
    Definitly get a matching set of tires. Have your front toe checked too.
     

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