F355 spider roof stops halfway down | FerrariChat

F355 spider roof stops halfway down

Discussion in '348/355' started by minimadtan, May 15, 2019.

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  1. minimadtan

    minimadtan Rookie

    Jan 30, 2019
    2
    Hi I’m having trouble lowering my f355spider roof seats move forward with switch roof starts to fold and seams to stop after a few inches car is new to me so am I doing something wrong many thanks
     
  2. 355OXO

    355OXO Karting

    Apr 16, 2006
    198
    UK
    Full Name:
    Simon
    Has the bar attached to the elastic straps got in the wrong position. happens when the elastic has become stretched. This can stop roof opening.
     
  3. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Feb 20, 2015
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    Ian Riddell
    #3 Qavion, May 15, 2019
    Last edited: May 15, 2019
    Grab some popcorn....

    https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/posts/146423577/


    or skip ahead to the 10 minute mark.



    The straps, although not available to purchase, can be made relatively easy. You just have to know the original dimensions (Yours has probably stretched a little). In the meantime, the crossbars can be easily manipulated into the right position, then the roof operation will continue normally.
     
  4. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    21,607
    WI
    Help the overhead cross bar back as the top opens. It will catch and stop the top operation if the elastic has expired.
    If you continue to force it, it will tweak the frame and then the alignment forks won't engage when you put the top back up.
     
  5. deeej84

    deeej84 Karting

    Jun 9, 2013
    63
    Sylvan Lake, Alberta
    Full Name:
    Dustin Johnston
    There's a window switch that needs to activate to lower the windows slightly before the roof lowers as well, so check that. If this is malfunctioning, the top won't go down.
     
  6. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Feb 20, 2015
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    The seats wouldn't move forward if the windows didn't go down. Also, the original poster said his top started moving ;)

    It's the straps.

    Minimadtan, make sure this bar is in the right position (up).

    F355 Convertible Top Manual Conversion Help

    Note the elastic straps attached to it.
     
  7. Enzojr

    Enzojr F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2013
    14,001
    West of PDX
    Full Name:
    Tomy
    This is what mine did, the first bar back flipped the wrong way and stopped everything half way.
    New elastic straps will fix this.
    You can make them or just find some with Velcro on them.
    Adjust as necessary to get the crossbar pulled in the right direction.
     
  8. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #8 Qavion, May 15, 2019
    Last edited: May 15, 2019
  9. minimadtan

    minimadtan Rookie

    Jan 30, 2019
    2
    Thanks for all your help it was the straps and bar
     
    Qavion likes this.
  10. hsd635

    hsd635 Rookie

    Jan 13, 2008
    10
    Brum, England
    Full Name:
    Hugo
    Hi Does anyone know where I can buy these elastic straps from or the instructions on how to make them.

    thanks
     
  11. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #11 Qavion, Jan 9, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2022
    I don't think anyone on the forum has offered these recently. You may be lucky and find your local independent Ferrari tech has some spare "home made" ones.

    I would just copy the old ones (but make them half as short, depending on how much the old ones have stretched and how strong the new elastic is). Just get a seamstress/tailor to sew them up for you.

    I found some "heavy duty" elastic (3/4 inch) and tried to use press studs instead of sewing the loops on the ends, but it took a lot of experimentation and didn't look very professional. Note that you can use something like a soldering iron to stop the ends fraying.

    @drbob101 's versions looked better:

    https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/f355-spider-elastics-for-converticle-top.492984/

    Haven't seen him around recently, though.
     

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