First trip across the US in my new F355

Appreciate your advice (and all the advice I'm getting) here. Thanks.
I'll have to teach myself how to do this. I've just watched a few videos. Is this something you can with the tire still on the car, or must you remove it? If the latter, I'll need additional tools. I need to find an appropriate jack, wrench, etc. If anyone knows of reliable tools I can buy that will fit, the ground clearance etc., I'd love to get a link or similar.
Thanks again all!

 

Wow. Thanks for this. I'm trying to prepare for a worst-case scenario. For me, the old CEL is high up on the list of things I'm afraid of!

What do I do if I get CEL come up? I have the 2.7. I've no idea.

 

Hi All.

I just finished my marathon, cross-country drive. Texas to Pennsylvania. The trip had a bit of everything. Lots of valuable lessons learned (plus a few 'moments'), so I thought I'd share them for the benefit of others contemplating a similar trek.

I collected the car on a Wednesday, drove it Wed/Thurs and got it ready for the trip, and set out on the Friday morning.

First day was Dallas to north of Memphis. No major issues. Car ran well, except for a squeal when coming in to a rest-stop. I thought it was belt squeal at the time. Stopped for 15 minutes, started up, no sound, so went on my way. That was about 200 miles in to my 550 miles first day.

Second day set out for Bowling Green KY. Coming in to Nashville I pulled in for a rest stop, and the squeal started again. Was very loud when I pressed the clutch in. Drove it to a safe spot and stopped. Waited and started up and noise was still there; metal on metal sound. This was Saturday 1pm. Called Prancing Horse of Nashville, the brand-spanking-new Ferrari dealership there. They closed at 4pm, but agreed to stick around to receive the car once I got it towed, which I was very thankful for.

Unfortunately, the tow truck took 5 hours to arrive, so by that point, understandably the dealership was closed. Tow guy scraped bumper underside going up. Had no choice but to take the car to my hotel and have it unloaded there. Scraped going down again as well. Obviously not happy and quite exhausted by this point, but happy to have it with me at my hotel.

Ferrari of Nashville was very helpful over the weekend arranging a suitable tow truck for Monday morning.

Tow truck turns up Monday, I go to open the driver's door, and the lock mechanism won't work. Anyway, get in from passenger side, get car on the truck successfully (no scrapes this time) and drive to Ferrari.

NOTE: So happy I purchased the @Ricambi America tow hook before my journey, just in case. It worked like a charm: https://www.ricambiamerica.com/tow-0x-tow-hook-challenge-style.html

We unloaded the car and I had an entire phalanx of Ferrari technicians around me, listening to me describe the problem. All soon agreed it sounded like a clutch bearing issue. Car went in to the workshop for a diagnosis and I went on a tour of their fantastic new showroom. That night 7:30pm I got a call from them with quotes on parts / labour. I was impressed they were still working at that hour on solving my problem.

I then came here to the forums for advice, and with a life-saving assist from Elliott in Sydney, Australia, managed to score a new Hill Engineering bearing and flange, which @MAD828 express posted to me and I received 2 days later. Got great advice from other members about replacing seals etc. which I also got done. All that help is detailed over here: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/355-service-and-clutch-cost.667125/#post-148780461

I had them do a basic service as well with oil and oil filter, and a general look over everything else.

In all, I spent 9 days in Nashville eating BBQ ribs, seeing live music, drinking great coffee etc. (because, why not?) and left on Tuesday, driving 350 miles and a further 400 miles on Wednesday. Temperatures ranged from 90 when I left Texas, to 30 when I got into Maryland a hit a snow flurry, so I had a bit of everything.

Car performed really well over all. Only other casualty was a smashed front-right fog light from a stone on the motorway (replacement suggestions appreciated), but that's a problem for another day. All up, 1,500 miles in 6 days of driving. Had many great conversations and moments along the way.

Big shout out to Prancing Horse Ferrari of Nashville: Melissa, Colt, Emil, Johnathon, Tony and others who helped. I felt like they went above-any-beyond in their service and willingness to sort out problems for me after-hours and on weekends. It took a lot of stress out of the process.

I can see that this won't be an easy relationship. Sansa (my F355) is temperamental and fiesty and demanding, but when she's running right.... well, I don't have to tell you how blissful it can be when everything is running right.

Thanks to all for your advice in the leadup to the trip. I've been really amazed by the level of support from this community. Ciao!











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That's how we drive in Australia. I wanted an RHD car so I could take it back with me at some point.

 

A few, but mostly bugs and snow

 

But I can't waaa waaa waaa a jillion dollars....