Who else has had NO problems with their Spider roof?

Hi. Had 6 years of 360 and 430 Spyder and also no problems whatsoever with roof. (Hope I’m not tempting the fates!)

 

6 years, no issues.
However, I do as much maintenance as I am capable of (replaced fluids 2 years ago, lube the 2000+ linkages, replaced straps).
So far it works with no issues such as the first time for this Spring 3 weeks ago.

Someone started a post a few months ago about whether the roof scares them.
I don't remember what I said then but deep down I'm itty bitty worried.

My 3-pedal Spider was bought on purpose.
That's what my wife and I wanted and still love. That feeling with the top down is priceless every time we use it.

 

what sorts of problems do the roofs give? tearing? mechanism? Is it not something that can be readily repaired?

 

none here so far, sept 06 and sept 07 cars.

 

maybe the better question is who has NO wind noise with the top up? a boy can dream cant he?

 

Age, mileage?

This post would also benefit from the data in the roof control module:

Number of operations
Number of failures
Number of pump overheats

Etc.

 

I posted a poll a few months ago on the topic.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/360-430-spider-owners-are-you-afraid-of-your-top.611956/#post-146903389

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Some people have problems.

 

True and it is true for most everything. Kind of like the news, they don't post "Been nice and quiet day today".

I guess I should add: during the 12 years I had my 360 it worked well. I had the elastic replaced once but otherwise, everything perfect and I used it often.

 

No problems, 2 years 05 360 spider and 3 years 06 430 spider. Both low mileage cars though.

 

No problems with my 05 360 spider.

 

I have had my 03 360 for just over a year. Only a couple times did it not complete the operation, but I simply reversed the operation then back again and it worked. I read the Capote Module on mine last week and it shows:

Number of completed opening/closing cycles 578
Number of stop-functions ended 48

So, about 8% of the time, it didn't complete the operation.

Now, the stop functions don't necessarily mean there was a problem. Maybe the switch was released early.

 

My car is a 2003 some of the hydraulics were replaced / repaired before I purchased the car.
This seems to be a weak point with the top and you need to pay attention to make sure the system is not leaking and the reservoir is full.

I have had my car for a few years and the top has not give me any issues with up and down but it did start hitting the cover (bad elastic).
The dealer who put the elastic in did not do a good job and now the top is getting caught by the cover pin after the top is folded down.
This is being addressed if a few weeks using a new company.

The only other issue I found was I shimmed the frame on one side to correct the cover to align with the body since I was out of adjustment. When I went to put the top down it would not allow the cover too close. Removed the shim and it worked fine - thinking I have to shim both sides and re-adjust the cover I am open to any ideas.

 

Lol now that’s funny

 

My thoughts on this. I did have a major roof problem but it was due to the heat shields being taken off of the car by someone at some point.. most likely before my ownership. Melted a hose and caused an issue. Elastics will stretch no matter what and cause an issue but it’s an easy fix.

they are pretty solid but with age the seals on hydraulics will ware so I know many that have replaced rams.. generally good solid top and not many problems. I have a few friends with f430s that haven’t had one issue.

Boils down to use and maintenance .

 

I usually depend on lots of the more experienced Techs here to keep my car going. Without them I would be lost.
However, I disagree that there is no maintenance to be done. For example,

(1) When was the last time you looked at your fluid, not the level but the quality of the oil?
Dark blue/grey looking at it in the reservoir means it is dirty and should be replaced. Takes 2 hours.

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(2) There are 2000 linkages that can be cleaned with a penetrating oil to remove the 15+ year old drying lubricant then afterwards resprayed with a lithium based lubricant

(3) Similarly, clean as many of the microswitches as you can possibly see with the top in various stages of opening/closing. They have linkages also and when one fails to move the roof will be stuck.

(4) Someone already mentioned the elastic straps that will get too stretchy and require replacing. I replaced mine 2 years ago (stitched wide elastic onto the orig one). This took me 2 days

(5) How is your canvas top? Are there bumps that looks like it will tear in the future. I followed others on here and beefed up the canvas from below so the linkage pushing on it doesn't wear the orig top out and create a hole.

Yeah, there are a few things to be done to ensure it stays working.
Just saying!

 

I do those things to get to know my car better. Most of what I learnt about this car came from this Forum so I too am grateful for people contributing.
Happy I was able to give back something.