348 Steering Rack R&R | FerrariChat

348 Steering Rack R&R

Discussion in '348/355' started by plugzit, Mar 29, 2014.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,752
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    Here's how:
    1. Remove front wheels
    2. Disconnect tie rods. They're not tapered ends, so I had to use some heat and a drift punch, putting a nut onto the end threads to protect them.
    3. From the driver's footwell, disconnect the steering column from the pinion. Remove the bolt and the column will slide off the pinion. There's a groove in the pinion for the bolt, so don't leave it in. Dig out the rubber gasket that seals the floorboard.
    4. Disconnect the battery if it's in front. Remove the cable cover, then feed the battery cable thru the frame. You'll need the clearance.
    5. Remove the brackets and bushings from the anti-roll bar. Don't worry, you can leave the bar in, but you must disconnect the end from the links as well.
    6. Remove the long tunnel cover from the middle of the car.
    7. Disconnect the clips for the AC line and the battery cable from the chassis.
    8. Remove the trunk liner. You'll have to drill out the pop-rivets that hold the strap for the tool kit. OEM are brass plated. I don't know if they can be sourced or not in shiny brass. If you care, check first.
    9. There are two body plugs in the rearmost wall of the deep part of the trunk. Remove those for access to the four bolts that hold the rack. Remove those.
    10. Now, you have EXACTLY enough room to manipulate the rack out of the car. Not .001mm more. Exactly.
    11. Reverse the process for reinstall.

    Notes:
    Removal took me about three hours, but a lot of that was just looking at it.
    A couple of the studs that the roll bar mounts on came out to give just enough clearance for me. Watch these closely.
    Muscle won't help, finesse will.
     
  2. mseals

    mseals Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 9, 2007
    24,468
    Kuwait
    Full Name:
    Mike Seals
    Excellent write up, Plugz...

    Did you take photos? Or, do you think that isn't necessary?

    Mike
     
  3. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,752
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    Nope, didn't take photos, but I think all the instructions are self-explanatory once you're there.
     
  4. okspeed6

    okspeed6 Rookie

    Feb 23, 2009
    13
    Tulsa
    Full Name:
    Chuck
    I removed my 348 rack this weekend and yes this works well, but here is a small tip. I didn't disconnect any hoses but did undo all the clamps so the hoses can be moved around. The one I missed was the single hose clamp located in the passenger side wheelwell. That freed up the hose a lot. To get rack out - I was under the car and raised the passenger side of the rack while twisting it to rotate the splined input shaft to clear the recess in the frame. My helper gave a a little pull and the rack was free ( out the drivers side wheel well). I guess the 355's are much harder do to the power steering hoses and connections don't know if I would tackle one of those.
     

Share This Page