How long does a 355 alignment take? | Page 3 | FerrariChat

How long does a 355 alignment take?

Discussion in '348/355' started by Eric C, May 13, 2015.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Andy 355

    Andy 355 Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2013
    434
    Sydney
    Eric C. There are people on here worshiped for their knowledge and rightly so i may add. In my 27 years of being a specialist the difference between someone you want to deal with and give your money to is the tech that is understanding, knowledgeable and compassionate. I have seen many master techs go broke as a result of a inbuilt attitude that they grow as a part of so much experience. There is nothing worse than being a leader, you will be surpassed one way or another.
     
  2. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
    6,368
    Richmond
    Full Name:
    Pete
    We didn't touch the adjustable arms, just shims and there were no issues. However, the upper arms may have (probably) been adjusted prior to my ownership to get the camber right as it was even lower (pic linked). I had the car raised back up to maximum height achievable with the hr springs when I got it. I can measure the arms in their current status if it would help.

    https://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv7hksFaWS1qjp39fo1_400.jpg
     
  3. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Nov 23, 2012
    16,047
    Orchard Park, NY
    Full Name:
    Dave Lelonek
    David - I was not suggesting he remove all the shims. I was pointing out that if his camber is too negative based on a very low ride height, that to bring the camber back into spec the lower control arm would need to move inward to the center of the car (from a geometry stand point).
     
  4. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    Cheers :)

    I wonder how many cars are even close to this
     
  5. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,295
    socal
    The goal of changing springs is not to change heights but to change wheel rate which changes chassis frequency or in the lay persons's world chassis feel. On coil over chocks springs are purchased in a standard spring lengths and the spring height is adjusted on the shock body to achieve the appropriate ride height. So a properly selected spring, HR or otherwise, will always get you to stock ride height or another ride height within a relatively narrow range. Very few cars handle well if tall as an SUV or as slammed as a low rider because you push the suspension geometry outside of the performance envelope. Do a read on "roll axis roll centers" as posted above. Things need to be taken into consideration like bump steer,shock travel, over steer and understeer to get the most out of alignment settings. Very few owners adjust stock coilovers and if they do they set it and forget it. Stock springs tend to be somewhat preloaded which is why they can't be adjusted often without a spring compressor. You canread about all the people here trying to lower their cars but can't get the spring perches to turn. PB blaster is always mentioned in those threads when the answer is always take the preload off the spring. This keeps noise and rattles to a minimum upon suspension droop. A race set-up used on street will be nosier because it will use a shorter spring and a tender spring to achieve an adjustable coil that can be done fast trackside without spring compressors and have the tender spring to prevent crashing down on the spring under full suspension droop.
     
  6. Jh348

    Jh348 Karting

    Sep 5, 2015
    187
    Finland
    Full Name:
    Jesse Heinola
    obviously not 355 (348), but when i get a change to get on our alignment lifter i would like to get the job done as fast as possible and without too much of hassle around. Im interested about shim sizes around the car. I will machine a bunch of shims before i get on so would be nice to know shim od and id what i could need in the process. I have few shims to measure but i really don't know where they from, unless its the same od/id size all around the car which of course would be too good to be true :)

    thanks
     
  7. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,295
    socal
    Shims are just things you buy in boxes. There are ferrai specific shims but you can use any that fit. You just add a shim note the result and swap accordingly. It is very low tech and a hassles which is why most modern cars use an adjustable cam. But those can move while a shim can't. Everything is a compromise. Racing my Z06 I am changing settings all the time. The stock cams move so we make solid shims that can't. We also know things after a while of doing this like adding 1/16" shim equates to 0.30 degrees of camber.
     
  8. Drock28

    Drock28 Formula 3

    Jan 13, 2013
    1,429
    Montreal
    Full Name:
    Tony
    #58 Drock28, May 1, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    finally got my car aligned..
    I had the suspension lowered a touch and installed new tires during my major over the winter..

    took almost 4hrs.. with 2 test drives in between.. where after each test.. car had to be rolled back on the lift and fitted with the sensors again etc..

    rear fins and front most under tray had to be removed to access everything..

    it was the first time the tech aligned a 355.. easily spent 45mins per corner..
    shims had to be removed from all corners.. to bring back the camber and toe..
    initial scan, the camber, toe and caster were all over the place..

    I now realize how delicate and time consuming it is to align a 355..
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  9. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,295
    socal
    We got a believer...
     
  10. Carmellini

    Carmellini Formula Junior

    Jul 16, 2019
    814
    Do any wheelhouse or underbody shields need to be removed to perform alignment?
     
  11. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2014
    1,944
    NE FL
    Full Name:
    Ken
    not in the front, but in the rear, i think it would be to hard to get to the bolts and install the shims with out removing the rear diffusers
     
    Carmellini and 308 GTB like this.
  12. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    Carmellini likes this.
  13. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    Takes me like 2 days for a baseline major and 1 day for adjustments
     

Share This Page