F355 clutch...replacement Q's | FerrariChat

F355 clutch...replacement Q's

Discussion in '348/355' started by FLORIDAsnakeEyes, Oct 25, 2015.

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  1. FLORIDAsnakeEyes

    FLORIDAsnakeEyes Formula 3

    Jul 7, 2015
    1,146
    Sarasota, Florida
    Full Name:
    OC
    I have been doing my homework before I pull the trigger on a clutch.

    I want to hear from ppl here that HAVE DONE IT THEMSELVES:

    Who did you end up going with?

    I know of:

    A.) Ricmabi has the kit
    B.) Michael Rozenstraten
    Ferrari Service of Costa Mesa (reputable rebuilds at/core sw $800)
    C.) superformance.co.uk/355/clutch.html
    D.) MD Clutches

    1.) Which one (IE Kevlar or "original")?
    2.) You do anything with flywheel? ( I know that's vague, but I want a from the hip answer)
    3.) Was there any other parts you swapped? I ask this to see how many of you truly had other issues.
    4.) mileage.

    I see a lot of ppl repack themselves (F that) and many just buy them all in one c kits

    thanks to all who chime in.
     
  2. 97 Spider

    97 Spider Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 15, 2012
    2,241
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Brian
    I replaced my twin disk in my 348 this spring. I got a rebuilt from Plugzit / Bruce. It was absolutely perfect and looked like new. I'd recomend him for sure.

    I had a machine shop resurface my flywheel.
    I ended up swapping to hill engineering TO bearing. It's really a pretty simple job exspecially (I would imagine) on a single disk. I had some problems and confusion I brought on myself but other then that easy.
     
  3. Drock28

    Drock28 Formula 3

    Jan 13, 2013
    1,429
    Montreal
    Full Name:
    Tony
    well I have not done a clutch job myself.
    my clutch is ok for now. but it will be something I'll get done in the future anyways.

    but from what I've researched myself, MD Clutches should have everything you need.
    they have several clutch setup options, flywheels and regrease kits.

    also Hills Engineering has very good pricing on flywheels as apposed to the 5k price range for oem.
     
  4. Markphd

    Markphd Formula Junior

    Mar 10, 2012
    713
    1.) Which one (IE Kevlar or "original")?

    Original, actually "used". It was a clutch that essentially had no wear from a low mileage wrecked manual car and was extremely inexpensive.

    2.) You do anything with flywheel? ( I know that's vague, but I want a from the hip answer)

    I had it surfaced.

    3.) Was there any other parts you swapped? I ask this to see how many of you truly had other issues.

    Triple seals and rebuilt/regreased the flywheel. I used the MD Clutches kit.

    4.) mileage.

    24k

    It was a really easy job overall. Perhaps the easiest major item to repair on the Ferrari is the clutch.
     
  5. Subarubrat

    Subarubrat Formula 3

    Apr 1, 2009
    2,072
    VA
    Full Name:
    Scott
    You can read here and see pics of what I did, I used original not kevlar just because it is an F1, and wanted to not introduce a variable.

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/467896-f1-overhaul-thread%3B-clutch-pump-throwout-flywheel-360-pump-etc.html

    Short answers:

    1. Original material, sent clutch to Friction Materials in Longbeach CA, they overhauled it under $100 shipped back to me.
    2. Yes, had flywheel ground to remove a very shallow groove.
    3. Read the above thread
     
  6. m5guy

    m5guy Formula 3

    Aug 17, 2008
    1,627
    Ventura, CA.
    Full Name:
    Greg
    I did my own 355 clutch replacement 2 or 3 years ago.

    1) Valeo original/new clutch disc & pressure plate set.
    2) My flywheel friction surface looked pretty good, so I cleaned it up with a scotchbrite pad in 1 hand while running a vacuum hose with the other to capture the loose fibers from the pad.
    3) Bought new triple seals from Ricambi
    4) The clutch and pressure plate that I took out had around 20k miles on it.
     
  7. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Aug 26, 2011
    16,211
    Adelaide, South Aust
    Full Name:
    Steve
    I finally got my car back today and am pleased to say that after six months of frustration it is now changing gear perfectly, so many thanks to the people who pointed me in the right direction with that.

    However, the dealer noted the clutch is quite worn and will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

    Having a look on Superformance, they list two clutch kits. One "original" and one "Italian aftermarket". The aftermarket one is cheaper (of course).
    My question is not about saving a few bucks, but is one better than the other?
    I just want to get the best possible result.

    Thanks.
     
  8. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,487
    Lake Villa IL
    That has to be a relief! Good to hear.

    What did it end up needing to be repaired?
     
  9. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    12,661
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    In my limited experience, I had a rebuilt clutch disc and pressure plate put in once and it broke within 100 miles. I ended up with a brand new Ferrari clutch and PP from Ricambi and all was well. Go stock, don't do after market.
     
  10. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Aug 26, 2011
    16,211
    Adelaide, South Aust
    Full Name:
    Steve
    It sure is! Thanks.
    They replaced the failed clutch release bearing with a Hill Engineering one (and seal kit), and also put in a new clutch position sensor.

    Good advice, thanks.
     
  11. Carmellini

    Carmellini Formula Junior

    Jul 16, 2019
    814
    I prefer a "stiffer" clutch pedal. is there a heavy duty pressure plate available that would give a heavier pedal feel?
     
  12. zstyle

    zstyle Formula Junior

    Jun 28, 2007
    531
    Fountain Hills
    Full Name:
    Jon
    While you are changing a clutch on a F355, you may also want to consider replacing the 3 plastic rings on the input shaft. They are a pain to install.

    You'll also want new hydraulic seals on the Throw-Out bearing. Be careful not the nick the seals.

    Any heat spots on flywheel should indicate a resurface job. A wavy surface on a flywheel will cause premature wear on clutch. Be sure to mark the flywheel to crank to help install flywheel after a resurface. There is an orientation to the bolt pattern.

    Be sure to clean the housings to help spot any future leaks or problems.
     
  13. Carmellini

    Carmellini Formula Junior

    Jul 16, 2019
    814
    ^^^^great advice! thanks for the tips.
     
  14. FourthAlfa

    FourthAlfa Karting
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 15, 2015
    182
    Paris, France
    Full Name:
    Andrew Love
    I’ve done the clutch myself. Symptom was that it slipped at full torque so I thought I would just replace the friction plate. Since the clutch is very easy to access and I was doing the work myself I wasn’t bothered if it turned out to be more and I would need to do it again
    Replaced the friction plate with a Valeo OEM sourced from Ferr Parts. Measure the old disc and sure enough it was 0.1 to 0.2 mm under the min thickness.
    The flywheel / pressure plate did not have significant hot spots high wear areas, so I just used scotchbrite and cleaned. Was an easy job and actually did it after work and drove my car home the same night. No problems since either (that was 8k miles ago).
    As mentioned above I’d probably replace the triple seals while you are in there. I am in the middle of a major right now, and I just replaced them, with the Viton ones from Superperformance - WAY EASIER to install, but can’t attest to how they seal as I haven’t put any miles on the yet
     
  15. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    12,661
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    Way easier and they do fine.
     
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  16. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
    10,629
    CT
    Full Name:
    John Kreskovsky
    If there are hot spots, I'd replace, not resurface. Hot spots mean differences in hardness. Resurfacing won't remove that. The resurfaced flywheel will wear unevenly from the get go.
     
  17. zstyle

    zstyle Formula Junior

    Jun 28, 2007
    531
    Fountain Hills
    Full Name:
    Jon
    Valid point about hot spots and resurfacing. The hardness is not consistent with major hot spots.

    As with any piece of advise, the correct answer lies within the OP components and their current condition.
     
  18. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,624
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Eric
    Check the ring nut through the access panel when in there. Gearboxes have been lost due to the insufficient peening of the ring nut.
     
  19. Carmellini

    Carmellini Formula Junior

    Jul 16, 2019
    814
  20. m.stojanovic

    m.stojanovic F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2011
    2,743
    Malaysia - KL
    Full Name:
    Miroljub Stojanovic
    I can't remember whether I put anything on those splines, probably brushed a tiny bit of oil just to keep them "oily". I also brushed on a very thin coat of anti-seize on the clutch disc splines to prevent hem from sizing a bit over time which may cause some clutch shudder.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    It is important to watch that o-ring in front of the clutch disc splines. The splines of the clutch disc go a bit tight over it and there is a danger of cutting the o-ring. The "leading edges" of the new clutch discs I was installing were very sharp so I rounded them slightly with a small flat diamond file and cleaned-up all the burr:

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    Before rounding (razor-sharp, a lot of burr):
    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    After rounding:
    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    An example of the o-ring damaged by the clutch disc splines during installation (posted by another member):
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  21. Carmellini

    Carmellini Formula Junior

    Jul 16, 2019
    814
    Still digesting many threads about clutch/flywheel maintenance; Clutch seems straightforward, but not certain about flywheel greasing?

    Are there shops to send my flywheel to for servicing, or is this something I can do myself. Thinking by the time I buy special tools, I can send
    out and have it done by a pro?
     
  22. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,624
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Eric
    You mean the damper bolted to the flywheel? Nah all you need is kluber grease and an 8mm ribe bit. I did mine few weeks back, it's the most fun of the jobs I've done so far. There is an MD clutch video on you tube shows you step by step.

    Sent using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  23. Carmellini

    Carmellini Formula Junior

    Jul 16, 2019
    814

    Yes, the damper. I watched that video and it does not look like that big a deal. My larger concern is the balancing which is not mentioned in the video. I won't know until I get in there, but assuming the flywheel will need resurfacing. Flywheel shop should balance the flywheel, but should I be concerned about the unit in total?

    What about the socket to remove the assembly from the pumpkin?

    Would like to hear more about your idea of fun???
     
  24. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,624
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Eric
    The socket to remove it is a ring nut socket, 26 mm is think, ricambi has ii in stock. As long as you mark the case halves you'll be fine putting it back the same way.

    Removing / reinstalling rear shocks, control arm bushings packing cv joints all miserable. Pulling heads is no fun. The voith was quite enjoyable, put some tunes on and it's nice and smooth to do. No grinding, cutting, tapping, stripped nuts, seized bolts, broken bolts, hogged out hex heads etc. Almost relaxing... try it and you'll see.

    I'd you were local I'd do it for you. I would not do your control arm bushings...

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