Hi to all !! I owned my Ferrari 360 manual since 2005 and have replaced the clutch and throw-out bearing twice, once in 2012 and once in 2017. The first time 2012 I had the typical 360 manual issue that the clutch pedal becomes soft after changing gear at high rpm.. It is the throw out bearing was going bad.. I also replaced the clutch (even though it was in good shape as I know how to drive manual well and don't slip it) The second time it was 2017 when I was losing the clutch pedal and hydraulic fluid.. I thought it was the seals of the throw out bearing, but it turned out there was a small crack at the throw out bearing and it was leaking fluid.. I replaced throwout bearing, seals and clutch again and everything was fine.. Fast forward 2024, my car shifts perfectly when cold... As it gets hot, even thought the clutch pedal appears to operate normally, with good travel and correct pedal pressure, it becomes VERY difficult to shift into 1st gear or reverse... 2nd-3rd-etc gears it shifts perfectly... I told my mechanic and he said that it is my clutch going bad... that as the clutch disk warms up, it "expands" and *I didn't understand exactly* something happens with the pressure plate fingers.... What do you think ? I always thought that when the clutch goes bad, it starts slipping, meaning you cannot put all the power of the car... I had no idea that when a clutch starts going bad that it could become difficult to shift 1st gear... I always thought this was a throw-out bearing issue... Any ideas ??? Thanks !
Do this first if you haven’t upgraded. Can have many weird symptoms when worn or cracked. I couldn’t get into 6th when warm. Mine was cracked. https://www.ricambiamerica.com/174967-manual-gear-lever-bushing.html
I had similar issue where mine shifted fine cold, but after ten minutes of driving it got harder to shift. Turned out to be internal transmission/gearbox issues.
Thank you for your responses! I spoke with my mechanic again. He believes that the friction material on my clutch is worn out and as a result when the clutch warms up after 30 minutes of driving in traffic it start to get sticky and gears are hard to change... So it's time to start looking for a new clutch...
With regards to the lever bushing my mechanic believes that if I had problem shifting all the time, yes it could help.. But when cold my car shifts very easily and smoothly.. Only when it gets warm it starts having difficulty... Sometime when I am a traffic light after 40 mins of driving I will try 2-3 times to shift into 1st... Very frustrating...
I find it far more likely its time for a new mechanic. One who does not believe in the Easter Bunny. For one thing clutch material coefficient of friction goes down when hot and not up. The other is when the clutch pedal goes down it retracts the pressure plate leaving a great big space between the flywheel and the pressure plate with the clutch touching nothing but air. I do not care how sticky the clutch disc may be, it aint sticking to the air. Now, I don't know if your guy really believes this bull crap story or if he is just trying to get permission to go on a fishing trip. Either way hes full of it.
Try this test. Start your car and let it fully warm up -just idling. Is it harder to shift vs. cold? That would indicate to me internal gearbox issues. Did your mechanic do a gearbox flush?
So a new clutch and Fixn’s what 5k+, a new shifter bushing 81 bucks and is a DIY job if you can tackle a level 2 project. 1 hr max for a mechanic if you have to pay. I’m not saying that’s definitely the problem but be logical. I don’t get the feeling your mechanic knows these cars well. Also your third clutch on a manual car, how many miles? Mine had 51k on original clutch and I only replaced the clutch because I was in there doing a rear main seal. Original clutch Still technically measured within spec.
Maybe I am the simple.one here ..but did you bleed /flush clutch line ...sometimes air will expand when very hot and you are not really opening clutch Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
I’m in agreement with everyone else. I’ve never seen a clutch plate get sticky and cause a shifting problem. I don’t know Ferrari clutches, but they are the same as on every other stick shift car, and I’m very familiar with numerous clutches on other cars. I would look elsewhere for the problem. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
I would definitely start with a flush / bleed. Just out of curiosity too, did you go with a Hill TOB when you last replaced? Much better quality than oem, cheaper too.
Thank you once again for your support !! After reading your comments, I thought to myself that common logic says that when you clutch is wearing out, it should be slipping, not causing difficulty in shifting in a manual 360 Modena.. So I thought about checking the coolant tank... And guess what? It was empty... As I started pouring distilled water, a slurry mix of water and transmission oil started to appear... So, the common problem of failed gearbox heat exchanger is the cause... I need to make a list of parts and arrange for my car to be towed to my mechanic..
Sorry to hear that, I don’t think most of us were thinking something catastrophic. Listen to Brian (rifledriver) he is the real pro.
That sucks! Sorry to hear that! If possible, post photos of your exchanger, inside water and inside oil sides. There is a debate about corrosion originating from the oil side, not the water side! Which I lean towards.
I recommend you find another mechanic. After 10 yrs of problems and 3 mechanics, I finally ended up at F of Ft Laud. I wish I had gone there to begin with. This shifting problem when gearbox is hot seems to be a common occurrence with these 2 models. I have a 430. I would go to dealer if I were you. It will be less expensive in the long run. You almost bought a clutch you didn't need. DM me.
Update : I just got my car back from my mechanic. He removed the intake manifold in order to have access to the Gearbox Heat exchanger. I supplied him with a new heat exchanger which he replaced. He had to flush the entire coolant pipes and coolant system with special cleaner to remove the transmission oil. He remove both water radiator and cleaned them thoroughly. Since coolant was in the transmission, he flushed all of the liquids from the transmission and replaced with new transmission oil Shell Spirax S5 ATE which I supplied. Finally he put new coolant and cleaned / detailed all of the engine bay which looks like new. I provided him 8 small gaskets for intake manifold. Once I drove the car everything was perfect. Even when it got warm, the gears including reverse would slip in just fine !!
