1997 355 Spyder Bad noise clutch related? Help!

It sounds like the throw-out bearing is bad. Do not drive the car. Have it towed to the repair shop in order to avoid destroying the slave cylinder and support.

 

It sounds like the clutch bearing, although it could be a few things within the clutch housing or the gearbox itself. With a few hand tools you can examine the clutch/bearing assembly.
1. put the rear of the car up on axle stands,switch off the battery.
2. Remove the wheelarch liners (watch for the little philips screws around the wheelarches!)
3. Remove the rear bumper. Look under the arches, you will see two 17mm nuts inboard of the arch, each side. Remove them. From under the rear of the car, you will see some 10mm fixings from the bumper to the exhaust heatshield.Then remove the two 13mm fixings just inside the wheelarch. With the aid of a second pair of hands, slide the bumper back off of the car, and disconnect the number plate lamp plug.
4. Remove the exhaust heatshield at the rear of the car.
5. You will now see the clutch housing, remove the indpection plate beneath it, followed by all the fixings around it's perimeter, and disconnect the hydraulic clutch hose.
6. Pull off the housing and look for broken bits, good luck!!

 

Rusty has given you some nice in info there mate. He is pretty much spot on. Sounds like TO bearing to me also. At least you admit that you are not mechanically inclined. Thats fine. Some people think they are and cause more damage or make the job harder than whats required.
Get your car towed/trailered to the Ferrari dealer or whoever you entrust with your car and have them inspect. Describe the noise to them and tell them you have a strong suspicion that its the TB bearing. That should be the guys in the right direction. Hopefully you get back on the road soon mate.
Let us know how you go.

 

My 97 355 spider recently made this noise, then the bearing gave out about a week and a half later and all the fluid drained out...the clutch pedal went to the floor. Now at Ferrari of Seattle for new bearing (using the Hill Engineering) and disc/pressure plate. Having flywheel remachined as well.

 

My 95 spider has always had a metal on metal noise when releasing the clutch in 1st gear - the sound last only for a second and makes the noise when the clutch is almost completely released and escpecially noticable when starting uphill.

Recently had the clutch replaced - same noise so I assume nature of the "beast".

 

Did they replace the throw out/release bearing? If not, that may be the reason for the noise.

 

Yes - A Hill throwout bearing was installed.

 

BTW - Forgot to mention the new clutch almost feels like one on a Japanese sports car (my knee isn't complaining).