Understood, but I should post a photo, you would be hard pressed to tell a difference. The ball ends are plastic instead of metal, that is all. The other dimensional differences are not detectable to the eye. All markings are the same, as they are made by the same manufacturer.
I totally agree. My problem with refurbing is that it is suspected the high engine temps cause them to lose their gas pressurization, that is why they last much longer in the front trunk application. That being the case, why refurb with the likely dried up seals leaking possibly faster...just get new, whether factory oem, or the aftermarket cross reference, which is still using the oem manufacturer Stabilus. You can get a set of oem factory ones from Rockauto.com for about $75 a pair, if that is your preference. But with replacement likely for the engine lid within two to three years regardless, I would go the least expensive route, as long is remains oem looking.
Any idea if the 355 hood struts are the same as the ones on the 348? I need a full set of four for my 348 and would love to buy Focus ones instead. The Ferrari dealer in Dubai is also the Ford dealer, so if they are the same I can buy them from the same Ferrari/Ford parts guy and laugh as I beat the 'Ferrari tax' system!
They are the same Foxy! How much are the Ford Focus ones?? You can score them for US $9.83 each from Rock Auto in America at the moment. Here is the related thread Foxy. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218990&page=3
Thanks for the info on the struts. They suffer out here because of the extreme heat. My broomstick handle bonnet mechanism just doesn't look quite right! lol Shipping to the Middle East is really expensive, so if I can get them locally it works much better for me. US companies often don't like shipping to here. They will do it, but you have to push. Planning to pop into the Dealer today, as I have to go past there for a meeting. Will let you know the price if they have them.
Sweet, please let us know what they sell for there Foxy! Ford Focus ones that is and also a part number if you can get one. I will see if I can match it up here.
The Ford dealer in Dubai wants almost 70 US dollars for a 2002 Ford Focus support! Some things here are dirt cheap and other things are crazily priced. I can never get my head around it. Anyone have any idea if Rock Auto deliver to the quiet (kind of) end of the Gulf? Pap: Your Ford dealer might be cheaper than mine, but it doesn't look like a solution from my end. Sorry.
Sheesh!! NOT cheap! Thanks for letting me know Foxy, I wont bother chasing it here now. I have fitted mine from Rock Auto and am very happy with them.
Robbie, how did you cross check and make sure the parts would fit? not to hi jack your thread, but I need to replace my mounts for my nsx and would love to find a substitute for less.
Are the Rock Auto engine lid lift struts factory original. If not, how identical are they. I need a pair of struts for my 348 engine lid but want to keep the car as factory original, a-la-concours standard. Conversely - is it worth just getting my own struts re-gassed. They are in excellent condition otherwise.
Hi - it took me a couple days to verify my info, but I purchased these struts (SG404018)from Rock Auto for my 348 about 18mo. ago. Have used them on my engine cover, and they work fine, and have not lost any pressure yet that I can tell. They almost work too good, since the cover does spring all the way open when actuating the release lever inside. They can weaken quite a bit and still work fine, so should last quite a while. I think somewhere in this thread someone mentioned these actually are for a Ford Escort, so they don't look identical, but are close enough that few would ever notice. Not sure if they will fit the 355, but they work fine on my car. Hope this helps..
The are made by the same oem manufacturer Sachs. The only give away is that the gas tube is perhaps a couple milimeters in diameter larger, and the attachment ball is plastic with a slightly different clip, rather than metal, with a wire clip. One would have to look very closely to notice the difference. I recently bought some more off Amazon for only $10 each and a few dollars for shipping...I think the entire bill was $46 for four. Two for the front and two for the rear, same at each end. They do seem to last longer due to have stronger springs in them. Oem seems to only last about 2.5 years on the rear, and 3.5 years on the front. You can extend that about 1 year with the ones used on the Ford Focus. They really work well on the front, were even with new oem a strong wind gust can send the lid down....won't happen with the Ford ones.
Purchased a pair of Ferrari factory original engine lift struts from Daniel at Ricambi America last week. They were only $29.95 each, which was a bargain price IMO compared to some of the prices quoted here for non-original struts and re-gas costs etc. In fact, the postage to the land downunder was nearly as expensive as both struts. Anyhow, I fitted them to my 348 at the weekend and they look and work perfectly. Moral of the story, go for the factor original struts and don't worry about aftermarket struts or contemplate re-gassing your own original struts. Daniel at Ricambi's service and dispatch was as usual, excellent.
I am on my second set of struts. First ones genuine Ferrari were $80 and now, 10 years later, the Stabilius replacements from Rosso Rampante http://rossorampante.com/ via eBay were $112. But for the 355 are only listed at $90.
I would agree with you if there was some compromise or problem with alternative Sachs ones...but there really isn't. Understand, they are made by the SAME MANUFACTURER as the oem...both are made by Stabilus/Sachs. The only visual differences is the $10 Ford Focus ones are a couple milimeters larger in diameter in the gas piston, and use an easier to open, metal attachment clip, rather than the wire clip on the original ones. Not to mention, the Ford Focus ones use a stronger spring, and appear to last a bit longer, and in particular, hold the front hood up better. Even with brand new front hood struts, a small gust of wind can send it closing down...on your head! The new Ford Focus ones are much stronger and hold it up much better. $10 each on Amazon. Just search using this part number: SG404018
Ferrari Ricambi http://www.ricambiamerica.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=6217530&osCsid=i7h71462ta9ere1otbc7n78471&x=9&y=5 hast them for the 355 at less that $30 each. Part number is 6217530 Yetibob1
