The back shelf of the 400 is the most annoying part to remove in order to re cover the leather. It is more annoying than anything else in the world. It is gauranteed to get you sweating, swearing , back contorsions. I have managed to wreck the plastic pillar vents and leather on both sides. The only proper way to remove the back shelf and less destructive would be thermo nuclear explosion. Although the total loss of the car would be dissapointing it would be pleasurable to see the shelf itself removed. Regards Alastair
Ah yes Jim good idea I have got it out, by force which wasnt right hence the destruction. Good news is to avoid the destruction the back seats need to come off first and then pull the whole thing back as low as possible. It is a very tight fit so very easy to nick the leather on both sides. more good news is the plastic vents that i broke from eurospares are only £9.00 each. Regards Alastair
I swear the factory manual should say..."to remove front dash, rear shelf, and rear a/c hoses, please first dissassemble entire car."
Right on Dave I have been on a emergency ferrari rebuilder counciling course today so more relaxed. As Phil from Roseneath engineering (guy who really knows what hes doing over here) its all perfectly possible but only just! Regards Alastair
Mmmmm Ahh yes thats the wee thing at the back of the engine bay nasty. Maybe we could assemble a Thermo Nuclear back shelf repacement mega explosion that was initiated from Mars 'where we would be' using a heater control valve to initiate the said explosion. Although total destruction of the earth would ensue and plant life would not reamerge for millions of years both ferrari 400 back shelves any heater control valves would survive the explosion perfectly intact just because there annoying things. Regards Alastair
I've had an idea...... We connect a remote detonator switch to the starter motor of my 400. When it spins over the switch will be tripped and the ensuing explosion will solve everyone's problems. Oh wait a minute, I just remembered the *@!!??X$$ starter motor packed up yesterday - if only you'd asked on Sunday we could all be in heaven by now !!
So I gather. I knew it was coming but had hoped it would hold out until house was sold, moved into new house, built dream 6 car garage with lift, fridge, beer and sofa. That way when I want to get drunk cos I can't get the bloody thing out I can get drunk and pass out on the sofa without having to go too far. I think another 6 months would have done it. Bollox !!
Exactly! I want to be your friend, you sound like you totally understand how to work on these beasts.
Russ in my attempts underneath the car yesterday to move torque tubes and gearbox etc singlehandedly I was using an old pillow with which to lay my head during the said process, this gave a clearance of nearly a valve shim tolerance of 0.15 and 0.2 between my nose and the full weight of the car on top of me, which even without the addition of alchohol and the fact I was not getting anywhere it seemed really the most usefull thing to do was to have a nap. hey the pillow was there! I wish you starter replacement moral support. regards Alastair
Yeah, it took me and my wife a good part of a month to get that rear deck lid out. I had it nicely recovered and put new mesh on the speakers. The problem, other getting the angle right, is that the PinaFarina is so sloppy at doing its job that the bolt holes and the bolts do not line up. I drilled the holes, visible in the trunk a bit larger, and I bet we could get it out in an hour now. Ken
2oz. C4..detonation cap with remote device tuned to garage door opener..if no door opener..apply to affected part... have a neighbor that you're not that fond of tap cap smartly with small sledge..presto..2 problems solved...no more worries.I hope that this is of some value to someone.Jq.
