OUCHHHH! Left handbrake on for about 50 miles...is it bad?

So I had a chance to drive the FCA 50th anniversary 599gtb tonight (fun ride, what a beast!!!)

While I had the 599, I asked a friend to follow me with my car...unfortunately, he tought that the handbrake was down because the lever was down (common rookie mistake, did it myself too in the beginning). The fact that the park light remains on we attribute to an electrical malfunction and keep on going.

Anyway, I'm not upset with him because it's my fault. I should have made sure he knew before we left.

So we travelled at about 65 for about 50 miles on the highway. Now, the handbrake does not brake at all. There is an insane amount of brake dust all over the rear wheels, calipers and fenders. It also smelled a little...

Checked the outer pads on both sides and they still have plenty of padding (haven't been able to check the inner pads yet).

Just wondering if I royally messed things up? What do you guys think? It was raining the entire time so perhaps that helped keep the discs cool enough? How do I get the handbrake working again? Can I just tighten it?

 

Life is fine...

Pop the wheels and tighten 'em up again. All is good..... But check the lining.

Minor issue.

I NEVER did anything like that!

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/technical-q/62780-how-adjust-handbrake-f355.html#post138350231

 

Well, if you are lucky, you can still use the brake shoes after adjustment.
If you are not lucky, you will need ... new brake shoes and the rotors turned.

We don't know how lucky you are until you open up the rotors to find out, Good luck.

 

I've done that twice... once shortly after buying the car and then a couple of months ago when I had a brain cramp in the morning. Both were less than 15 miles, but brake still works fine. Just had to be readjusted. Hope yours just needs adjusting.

 

I may be misunderstanding you but the caliper/pads are entirely separate from the handbrake so they would of been unaffected by your mishap.

The handbrake uses shoes which are inside the bit that looks like a spacer between your wheel and the brake disc so requires a bit of disassembly to check properly. Its not hard to do and judging by your comment about a lot of brake dust I'd recommend disassembling them if only to clean out the dust from inside the drum.

I overhauled the handbrake on my 348 (95% same as 355) here and took quite a lot of photos if that helps:

348 DIY "Restoration" - Page 43

 

Fab,
You need to pull the rear wheels and brake calipers. Then remove the brake rotors inorder to see the parking brake pads. The parking brake on a 355 is like the old style drum brakes only the drum is actually part of the rotor.

 

How well did the Ebrake work before this happened? I would imagine if he was able to drive with it engaged that it wasen't real tight. If that was the case i would just adjust it till it is working again.

 

Why couldn't the handle just stay in the upright position like very other car. Mine doesn't make any clacking noises or stay upright.. I hate that

 

If it stayed upright you wouldn't be able to get out the car as it would be in the way. But that does beg the question why didnt they situate the handbrake in the middle like "normal" cars

 

It should at the least click till fully engage.

 

Simple: So the drivers seat could be more centered in the car as it is...

 

Intersting theory but if that were the case there would be no central console but there is. Theres more than enough space there for a handbrake mechanism

 

It's no theroy, it's a fact. Look at the car thru the windsheild and you will see the driver's seat is inboard compared to the passanger....

 

Even with the seat in its current position there is more than enough room for the handbrake to be situated in the middle where the ash tray,coin holder and locking box are.

Personally I think its just a hangover from the style of old racing cars
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We could debate this forever....yes, the hand brake could fit in the middle, but then you give up what's in the middle already. As a design engineer, it's always a compromise. I have zero issue with the position of the hand brake....

 

I agree, there is a light telling you it's on if you forget it so I prefer the middle section the way it is so I can put my wallet and phone.

 

As embarrassing as it is to allow this to happen, now I look even more foolish for forgetting that the handbrake works with the inner drums and not the discs....I'm such an idiot!!!

The strength of the handbrake before wasn't great nor was the tension when pulling it up but it could hold the car sufficiently. Now, it's non-existent....

I was planning to change my pads anyway since the Ferrari ones are noisy and make crazy brake dust so I guess I'll do the drums also. Just hope the rotors are ok.

 

Just to quickly chip in, this isn't a Ferrari thing, loads of high end sports cars and GTs have them like that - some Jags, Astons, Lotus, Lambos as well as numerous others. My old man refers to them as 'sports hand brakes' as lots of older sports cars had them and I think what could be termed the 'classier' end of the market sometimes has them for that reason. Quite like it myself, neat tidy, out of the way.

 

Well, once you set that handbrake it is set.

It does not increase pressure unless you pull up on it again.

So...you cleared off the inner e-brake pads to the point of where you had it set.

If the inner pads were almost shot (read someone else did this before you a few times) then you need to swap in new pads.

Most likely you are OK and just need to reset the tension.

 

Hey, don't feel bad about what happened. We all make these type of errors. I hate to admit I did it also but I was in my 911 at Watkins Glen for a track day. I came out of the pits, got to the second turn, the car began to shudder real bad and I remembered what I did, quick release and went on. My instructor was cool and didn't say anything, he knew I was embarrassed.

 

Not Sure why you started this post Fab and dont feel bad at all. The Ferrari 355 was known to have this issue where the handbrake would automatically engage. I also heard not to trust any of the Light Indicators on the dash on the 355. So even if the brake light was on ( for 50 miles - not that long ) it was the right thing to do to continue driving. The legendary 355 also has a unique smell from its well built exhaust manifolds so even if you smelled burning while driving with these cars its not an indicator of anything. You and your friend did the right thing.

A couple of thousand later and a thicker maintenance book for resale. What else do you want ? Its a 355 Fab.


With all that rain yesterday, gauge your paint, i wouldnt be surprised if you lost a coat.

They call this Ferrari life.

 

Very funny Errico, go get your car at the shop today so we can go to Little Italy tonight. Rain or shine it's Grand Prix weekend so we must brave the elements!!!