Hi everyone im back to the Ferrari world as I picked up a 2002 spider. Last owned a 308 back in 1999! The question I pose is that there are 7 hydraulic pistons operating the top. I'm trying to identify which ones are leaking. It is happening on right and left sides. I'm certain it is NOT the top seal main cylinder. Attached are pics of the leaking location. Also will I need to take the fabric off to get to the culprits. Many thanks in advance. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Have you checked the secondary cylinders which are about shoulder position (sitting in the car) in the top on both sides. They are easily accessible by opening the top until the last piece starts to move, then stop the top. Fold back the fabric carefully and you'll find these two small cylinders. Check behind the cylinder with your finger to see if it's leaking. If it's wet, time for a rebuild. Luckily, these are the simplest cylinders to change as the fluid lines are removable in place. I think it's one screw, a pin, and the two lines, then unscrew the fork (leave it in the car) and you have the cylinder in your hands. Send it to a place like Top Hydraulics (or similar) and have it rebuilt. In a week, you're back in business. Additionally, if your front locking cylinder isn't leaking, and hasn't been rebuilt or replaced in the last 10 years, it is likely about to leak or is already leaking. These are fragile rams that are on the edge of the power curve. Typically, the order of failure is first the elastic bands (there are 14 in the capote) start to get weak, then the rams have to take up the slack and get overstressed and then pop a seal. Make sure your elastics are in good shape and your rams will last a lot longer.
East Memphis. THANK YOU for identifying. They are both wet and I will now get with top hydraulics. Thx again.
I just went through this and replaced both secondary cylinders and the front locking cylinder. For the secondary cylinders, I used Top Hydraulics, who are able to send a rebuilt cylinder, and you just need to send back your cores once completed. Easy job. As East Memphis said, the detachable lines make that job a breeze. For the front locking cylinder (which does not have detachable lines) I used Cabrio Hydraulics out of Florida. Cabrio sells couplers that allow you to replace the locking cylinder without having to fish the hydraulic lines all the way to the pump. You basically remove the cylinder, cut the lines per their instructions, and send to have it rebuilt. Comes back with the couplers already attached to the cylinder side. Took about a week total. Both Cabrio and Top Hydraulics are great to work with.
