355 - Why do rear shock actuators rotate | FerrariChat

355 Why do rear shock actuators rotate

Discussion in '348/355' started by Rorie, May 31, 2025.

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  1. Rorie

    Rorie Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2007
    459
    Toronto, Canada
  2. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Feb 20, 2015
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    Ian Riddell
    Perhaps the actuator is not located properly. There is a spring clip which holds it in place. Remove the spring clip and try to re-orient the actuator. Whatever you do , don't lose the clip. They have a tendency to fly off. There is a groove in which the spring clip sits (on the mount). When reinstalling, you may be able to install the clip first on the orange/red part. Then push down firmly. Sometimes they don't always lock in place properly, putting on the dash suspension light.

    I didn't realise this was even possible. I have seen broken actuators on 456M's which rotate the entire actuator when they shouldn't... so much, in fact, they twist the wiring, but I haven't heard of this on 355s.

    Thanks for the photo. I see you have a Motronic 2.7 car.
     
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  3. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Spare clips are available at Captain Z CNC (in the USA), but local Ferrari stockists may have them (?).
     
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  4. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    I thought I couldn't see the spring clip on your RH actuator, but it's here:

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    You'll probably have to remove the engine bay side cover to access the spring clip. If your side covers are like mine, they are held in with 3 allen headed screws of an unusual metric size.
     
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  5. Rorie

    Rorie Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2007
    459
    Toronto, Canada
    Thank you for that info. Appreciate it.
     
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  6. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
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    Apr 13, 2004
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    Same clip as the Corvette fx3 system
     
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  7. Rorie

    Rorie Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2007
    459
    Toronto, Canada
    I've had to remove the side covers before to charge the car.

    My mechanic said to be careful as it is easy to break the internals. He also said in his 20 years of working on F355s he has never seen this on an F355.

    So it's really a case of just unplugging the acutators and plugging them back in. But I suspect they are twisting because something is slipping.

    I feel much better about, and thank you for that info.
     
  8. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Is the LH actuator actually locked down or will it pull right up? Does it even have a clip on it?
     
  9. Rorie

    Rorie Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2007
    459
    Toronto, Canada
    Checked, LH has a clip as well. And has not twisted nearly as much as the RH one. LH is locked down. As if RH drive. I don't want to bust them so my mechanic will look at them in a few weeks. I will watch him as he does it to learn how to do myself (without breaking them).
     
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  10. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    I don’t see how you could break them. Just see if the spring clip is in the grooves on the base, although it should be if the actuator is locked down. I wonder if the shock absorber has been installed incorrectly.
     

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