348 clutch: sudden limp pedal + shrieking noise!

Hi guys,

I took my 348 GTS out for a long drive this morning and on the way back the clutch pedal suddenly went 80% limp, without any warning at all. It was working perfectly until that moment.

There was enough clutch action at the bottom of the pedal travel to continue changing gear, but the pedal felt limp and the clutch engagement was abrupt, so I nursed the car home on with minimal gearchanges.

Felt like a master or slave cylinder issue.

After about 20 mins (I was 40 mins from home when the pedal went limp), I started hearing a strange PSSSSSHHHT sound most of the times I depressed the clutch, coming from the rear.

And then, another 10 minutes later, a shrieking noise developped, coming from the pumpkin. The volume of the shrieking varied and was worst driving very slowly, when it was VERY loud indeed.

I have no idea what that shrieking noise could be... please help!

My questions:
- If the noise is coming from the pumpkin, that rules out the master cylinder (up front), right? Or could a master cylinder issue cause a noise at the rear?
- What about the slave cylinder?
- Might I need to change the pressure plate?
- Should I change other parts while the pumpkin is open?
- Release bearing?
- Throwout bearing?
- Seals?

I'm worried because of this thread I found:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/369092-348-release-bearing-clutch-repair.html
It starts with the same shrieking noise as mine, and then goes on for 10 pages!!! :-(

I have an experienced generalist (non-Ferrari) mechanic near my home, who works on all my cars. He changed master and slave cylinders on my Dino without any issues.

Might this shrieking clutch issue be more involved however, requiring a Ferrari specialist (2 hours away)? If I take it to the specialist, should I avoid driving it, even with minimal gearchanges, and have the car transported?

Thanks,

 

No fluid leaking.

 

Thanks for the help.

Can my experienced and competent local mechanic open the pumpkin and change the required parts? He is just one mile from where my 348 is garaged...

Or is this work that requires experience on the 348, in which case I would have the car transported to a Ferrari specialist?

 

Thanks, that's very useful.

But looks intimidating... I'm going to send the car to a Ferrari specialist. The hourly rate may be higher, but they'll spend less hours than if my local mechanic has to learn on my car...