360 roof stuck

I didnt look at your thread in the UK section, but yes I had that problem on my previous Spider. It had laready folded up and then collapsed itself together (all correct) but then as it started to fold into the engine area, the side flaps got stuck and the top crushed the side flap, snapping the fiberglas flap!! The top obviously stuck as well. Mine was a warranty fix at Ferrari and iit cost a TON for them to fix because of the readjustmens to the eyes that read the top alignment, etc. Apparently, it is a big job because they have to pull the entire top out of the car!

Sorry to hear the news. I hope you fare well.

Joe

 

Thats a crock, are Marenello suggesting you can only operate the top in warm weather, if so where is the disclaimer in the owners manual??
The 360 top is very fragile and sensetive to wear in the frame and hinges, one piece slightly out of line or adjustment and I have seen all sorts of things contact where they should not. Have them fix it and adjust it correctly and you should not have to many problems.

 

That top was designed and built in Germany and last I heard it gets cold there unless all that global warming that isn't happening in the US is all taking place in the Fatherland.

I am really sorry to hear that those guys have resorted to outright lying. They used to have a good reputation.

Oh well, I guess it was bound to happen since Ferrari took it over.

 

After the one occasion, it never happended agin but I sold that car months after the incident. In my current spider, I have only had the top down once.

I agree with many of the posters on the fact that there is alot of sophistication and mechanics related to that top. It is a work of art but every once in awhile, an error may occur.

Not often enough for you to worry though!

Joe

 

Hey,

FWIW, Brian happened to be around when I picked up my 360 Spider (2002) and I asked him "is there anything to be aware of?"

Back then, and it jumps into my mind every time the top goes up or down, he said (something like) "Make sure you don't do anything else between the initial "beeps" (and pretty pic appearing in the display) and the "double beep" at completion of the actuation"..... My sequence:

1. Engine running
2. Neutral / handbrake on
3. Windows closed?
4. Doors closed?
5. Hit the button and hold until the entire 'ballet' (for that's what it is IMHO!) is complete. [Yes, I've received "applause" from bystanders :-( ]
6. Release the button

Might seem a little anal, but it works for me, and I have no fear of putting the thing up or down.....

BTW - He also said that other than that the car was bulletproof, and so far he's been proved correct there as well - at least after I upgraded the front rotors - But that's another tale

Cheers,
Ian

 

Spot on, you would be suprised how many clients think the operation is done when the movement stops and do not wait for the beeps, I have seen it cause all kinds of confusion in the top c/u.
Wait for the beeps and the picture.

 

I'll say it again beacuase it seems to be important:

Once you start the top (up or down)...keep going for the whole cycle.

I've had a couple of glitches and it has always been when I've stopped mid cycle.

When the top gets confused and stops mid cycle for some reason, I've turned the car off (I always turn the car on when operating the top), locked the car with the key fob, unlock the car, start the engine and try again. Sometimes the top will stop regardless of what you do with the button and the previous sequence seems to re-boot the process and allows you to try again.

YMMV, but luckily this has worked for me in the past.

PS I always keep an eye on the top when operating it to make sure nothing strange happens and I can stop it in time.

 

patience Gary, it will all be worth it, trust me,i went from a Modena to a spider, and the spider feels just a little more "special", especially with a sports exhaust too.....

 

I've never heard of "cold fluid" before. Although troublesome on occasion, those roof mechanisms are pretty straightforward to sort. Most common problem is a leaking roof ram in the engine bay, and as the fluid level drops the pump cuts out to prevent damage.

 

Yes, it's a bit chilly up there at the moment!! I would give them a fair chance to fix the car properly before rejecting it, but when you pick the car up, give it a good test, and if your'e not entirely happy, start throwing your toys out of the pram!

 

Congrats on what sounds like a positive resolution w/some nice 'extras' thrown in!

 

The passenger side capote flap snapped and when I examined the damage, I noticed there is a small lugg for one of the retaining bolts that snapped off. This must have caused the flap to twist while the roof was deployed.

The construction of the flap luggs look very flimsy and fatigue seems to have caused the part to fail. I will now attempt to access the flap, take it off, repair and reinforce the luggs with fine fibreglass matt and resin.