Changing rear shocks on a 456? | FerrariChat
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Changing rear shocks on a 456?

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by amphijim, Oct 15, 2006.

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  1. amphijim

    amphijim Rookie

    Jun 21, 2006
    29
    San Pedro, CA
    Full Name:
    Jim Z
    #1 amphijim, Oct 15, 2006
    I need to replace the rear shocks on my 456. I've already bought the replacements (OUCH!) and am contemplating doing the install myself. Why?My local shop indicated that in order to change these, the majority of the trunk has to be removed from the car. By my estimation, this is complete hooey. I can see and get to the upper mountings easily thorugh the access panels in the wheelwells, and do not see any reason why the trunk must be dismantled. As such, I am hesitant to hire these people for the job.
    So... Has anyone ever changed the shocks themselves and if so, can you offer any advice? I'm particularly concerned with the self-leveling system and wonder what problems, issues, etc. it might pose.
    Any advice or verbal help would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. ross456

    ross456 Rookie

    Jan 31, 2006
    13
    Nottingham - UK
    Full Name:
    Ross
    #2 ross456, Oct 17, 2006
    Hi,

    I assume you first looked at getting the shocks reconditioned by a Bilstein centre in the US? It's £60 ($90) per corner here in the UK.

    The install is very straight forward and should be no challenge for any decent garage. The main priority is to get the car set back up with the correct tracking/geometry after the new shockers are on.

    I had all mine recond, fitted and set-up for £700 earlier this year.
     
  3. hakan

    hakan Karting

    Aug 30, 2006
    119
    Istanbul
    Full Name:
    Hakan Aytac
    #3 hakan, Oct 17, 2006
    I just got my 456 GT s rear shocks replaced last week. At an unfortunate price of 700Euros per.. making a dashing total of 1400 Euros .. brand new from Ferrari.

    I had it done at the dealer . it took them less than an hour.. and nothing about trunk is touched. .all done pretty simply at the lift.

    The self leveling shocks feed from power steering pump and oil. Make sure you check oil level in that after install.. You can damage the pump if overfilled or under filled..

    I think hard potholes can take them out very quickly..

    Hey the reconditioned ones.. are they good.. same as new or better than factory ones?
     
  4. amphijim

    amphijim Rookie

    Jun 21, 2006
    29
    San Pedro, CA
    Full Name:
    Jim Z
    #4 amphijim, Oct 22, 2006
    Thanks for the replies! At least initially, I believe I will be tackling this job myself as it doesn't seem to be that involved. I know to keep an eye on the hydralic fluids and make sure the levels remain correct.
    To hopefully increase the longevity of these shocks, I planned to adjust the springs slighty tighter than they are currently. As the car is now 9 years old and has sat a good portion of it's life (when it wasn't being abused beyond belief, before I got it!) I'm sure the springs have sagged a bit throughout that time. I often hear that replacement shocks from Ferrari have hydralic failure quickly and I believe this will help that situation. If nothing else, it should lessen the burden placed on the self-leveling system from the get go.
    Incedently, I did look into having the original shocks reconditioned by Bilstein. I was told they wouldn't touch these due to proprietary issues with Ferrari, and that the only way to get replacements was through Ferrari. I am curious as to how owners could get said shocks rebuilt in the UK, while here in the US, we can't.
    Thanks again for the information.
     

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