355 Shock Actuator issue | FerrariChat

355 Shock Actuator issue

Discussion in '348/355' started by ClydeM, Nov 5, 2011.

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  1. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    12,093
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    When I flip the button from Sport to comfort, I dont feel a ride difference.
    I've read some of the threads.
    I popped the actuator off both rear shocks. Power up the car & the actuators spin & look for their starting point. They dont do 360 degrees. No sign of broken plastic teeth.
    I can easily turn the shock shafts by hand - but not the 135 degrees folks have reported, but by 90 degrees. But I only used my fingers.

    When I press the sport/comfort button, the dash light illuminates, but I dont see the actuators moving at all (still disconnected from shock). The key is only at stage I, not running.

    I'll take a look at the front, but

    Next steps?
    The shock ECU is where?
     
  2. Monteman

    Monteman Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 9, 2006
    2,348
    Santa Barbara, CA
    Full Name:
    Monte
    I can't tell much difference with the shocks either in normal driving. Big difference in the shifting if it's an F1 but I suspect the shocks are OK if you're not getting a warning light. You may want to try some spirited driving on some twisties and see if you can tell the difference.
     
  3. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,709
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    Maybe you don't have a problem - the difference is minimal and in my experience most noticeable on rebound
     
  4. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,742
    With tires set to 34 PSI: I notice a distinct difference, in comfort mode the car is distinctly sloppy in steering response and power oversteer response. In Sport mode, a lot less sloppy.
     
  5. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    12,093
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    Now that's interesting. Maybe I dont have a problem.
    But most of the threads I've read folks rave about the stark differences and many have said they keep it in sport all the time because of the poor comfort performance.
     
  6. GerryD

    GerryD Formula 3

    May 5, 2010
    2,446
    North of TO
    Full Name:
    Guido
    The sport mode is stiffer for simply that....sport driving. The comfort mode is just a little softer and is ment for everyday sunday driving. In the 95 cars and maybe some 96 when in sport mode the light is off. In the other later models the light is on when in sport mode. If you dont like it on all the time(as most drive in sport mode all the time)there is a way of reversing the switch.
     
  7. eyboro

    eyboro Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 30, 2004
    989
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Eitan
    I dare you to try to take a sharp right hand or left hand turn at 40+ MPH in normal mode! That's when you will feel the difference. If your actuators are faulty, you will have an annoying amber color sign on your dash that will never go away until you repair the shock actuator.
     
  8. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #8 f355spider, Nov 5, 2011
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2011
    +1...rebound is what I notice too, and mostly at speeds over 45mph. On the 1997 model year, the "normal" position of the switch is "sport" and the light is off. When you flip the switch down to "comfort" the light illuminates on the dash.
     
  9. peterkarvelas

    peterkarvelas Karting

    Jun 2, 2006
    78
    RSA-Johannesburg
    #9 peterkarvelas, Nov 6, 2011
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2011
    On right hand drive cars you will find it under the passenger foot rest plate.
    It has a green and yellow connector.

    However there is nothing to see really.

    Sometimes the gear breaks on the shock itself and the actuator may rotate and not signal a fault or as in my case the actuator seized.
     
  10. race850i

    race850i Karting

    Jan 6, 2010
    132
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Themis

    I agree, my Actuators are also not broken they working good but they are sized so they dont bite really good the Shock nut and the Suspension is out of duty.
     

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