F-chat to the rescue! Need a left rear wheel hub for Mondial

It looks like I need a new left rear wheel hub assembly, following a freak chain of events today. Car is a 1981 Mondial euro market version. I was driving along at low speed down a very bumpy road, and felt the car start to shake a little bit. I figured I had thrown a wheel weight. I get to the next intersection, stop, and pull out to turn left. The car bogs a little bit, like the brake was lightly applied, then I hear a loud bang, and the car stops like the brakes just got slammed on. I was thankfully only going maybe 2-3 mph, so the car basically stopped instantly. I tried to put in in gear, but it was like the brakes were locked on. So I stop, get to poking around, and realize the left rear brake caliper has not only firmly clamped to the disc, but has BROKEN FREE from the hub where it attaches.

Here is what happened, as best I can figure: The bumpy road caused the engine sag or drop down at one or more of its mounts. This caused a fitting on the rear exhaust header to press down on the handbrake actuating cable, activating the left rear parking brake. For some reason, instead of just slowing the car, the damn hub BROKE where the caliper attaches. I still can't figure how it would have put enough stress on the caliper mountin points to actually break them, although it does appear the upper mounting hole was tapped and fitted with a helicoil at some point to repair a stripped thread. Maybe this could have weakened it some?

Anyway, after causing quite a traffic jam (4:30 traffic....nothing like being the guy in the middle of the road in the broken down Ferrari!) I got the car jacked up, took the wheel off, and got the caliper off of the disc. I wired it up out of the way, but it was leaking a good bit of fluid every time the pedal was pressed, so I just called a flatbed instead of trying to drive any further.

So now I am stuck with a broken hub on the Mondial, and being very thankful Ferrarichat exists! It appears to be made of cast aluminum, so I suppose welding the mounting tabs back on is out of the question for a repair? I am terrified about how difficult to find a replacement is going to be, and how expensive it will be when and if I find one. I guess this is what I get for getting on my soapbox so often about not turning every old Ferrari with a speck of rust into a parts car. Now I actually need a part only a parts car can provide! I am almost due for a major, and I had planned on dropping the rear subframe and doing a thorough service, cleaning and repainting the engine and engine bay, restoring the suspension, etc anyway. So I guess this is just a kick in the nuts to get that ball rolling.

Questions:

1) Any other ideas outside of finding a new hub assembly?
2) How big of a PITA is fitting a new hub? Will I need to get all new hub bearings, have anything pressed in place, etc?
3) Any leads on finding a new hub? Is this a shared part with the 308 or specific to the Mondial?
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Yes, I do have a suggestion. There are a few places around the country that break these cars. There is a place in Sacramento that comes to mind. I think they were taking down one similar to yours not too long ago. Don't know their name off hand, but they do sell parts on Ebay. So.... go to ebay, look for anyone selling parts (used) similar to what you need and send them e-mails. I got some random bits for my Mondial the same way out of GA. And at what I felt were cheap prices. As this is a part that rarely goes bad, if you can find someone who has one it may not be too expensive. Don't be afraid to bargain, they won't sell that piece to anyone else and may end up scrapping it, $50.00 or 100.00 now is better than maybe never. Good luck and let us know.

 

Ferrparts, 888-383-8444 or [email protected]. They break cars, hopefully one like yours.

 

Call Dave at

GT Car Parts Inc
516 W Lone Cactus Dr
Phoenix, AZ 85027
(623) 780-2200

He should be able to assist you.

 

Two of these for sale on eBay right now. Item # 300410081539. Seller is tubejunkie. Sorry, I don't know how to post a link.

 

I believe the Mondial uses the 328 size rear brakes due to the heavier car. Verify before dropping coin.

 

If there was enough force to break this, check the tops and bottom of the suspension frame struts for cracks or failures.

 

Thanks for the ideas so far. I have inquiries out to 5 or 6 ebay sellers, as well as T. Rutlands. Will call Ferrparts and GT Car parts shortly. Also, good idea on checking the rest of the structure for cracks or damage. I will certainly do that. I really believe the first site of failure was at the upper mounting tab where it had been drilled and tapped with a helicoil. The mounting tab shattered into 3 or 4 pieces there, with the cracks all running out radially from the bolt hole. The lower tab just broke off flush with the hub.

Here is the link to the ebay add mentioned: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300410081539&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3909wt_1165

I am pretty sure these are a match for my car. The early Mondial 8's shared 308 brakes, I believe they switched to the larger brakes with the QV. The brake calipers in the auction are the same as mine, but I will have to check the suspension mounting locations and the rest of the hub when I can get home and look at the car though.

I am kind of looking at these ebay hub assemblies as a last resort, because I would really like to avoid paying $1300 for two hubs, two brake rotors, and two brake calipers when I only need one hub.

Which brings me to another question: Should I be looking to just buy the hub casting itself, or try to find an assembled hub with the bearings and all still in place? How much trouble would it be to swap my internals to a new hub casting?

 

The euro Mondial 8's have the Old ATE brakes.
Like the 308 2Vs'.

The USA cars got the 328 rear calipers.

(Bummer)
Edwardo

 

Correct. Mine is a euro market car. But are the brake calipers the only difference or is the hub itself different as well? From looking at the parts manual drawing below, the hub looks different from the 308 hubs pictured in the ebay ad.
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Did you get yours at T. Rutlands? I have bought from them before and been happy (new parts though, not used) Anyway, they just quoted me way more than that for the left hub assembly. Hopefully they are willing to come off of it some. I know, I know, Ferrari parts are dipped in gold etc, but geez.....

 

Clarification helps a lot when asking for help.

 

You mean like this? :

Thanks for the help so far everyone....so far two sources think they have a part that matches, just waiting on them to email me pictures so I can make sure the part is a match for my car. Interestingly, I found out today that the early Mondials had a factory recall to replace the rear hubs. I believe the issue was they replaced them with hubs containing larger axles and bearings. I am still trying to find out if the recall was for US market cars only, or all of them. Also, the recall seems to have started with cars built a little after my chassis number (I have a fairly early car), but then stops with the QV's I believe.

Also, after I was able to get out in the garage today I can verify that the Mondial hubs are NOT the same as the 308 hubs. Brake calipers do appear identical.

 

No, I purchased my parts from some individual on ebay who was breaking a car just like mine. I sent him an e-mail with pictures and he responded with a price. They were just little plastic bits. I like that you mention recall. It would be a long shot but it sure would be fun to get the factory to pay for your fix. They might have replaced them for what has occured to yours. Probably worth doing a tiny bit more research on that. Maybe cozy up to a dealer service department and see if they are willing to ask a regional service rep. Bring in some pictures.

 

Maybe put a wanted add in Ferrariparts here. Never know what's floating around.

 

I would guess that some HACK did a really poor job of installing a helicoil - frankly, using a helicoil there is, almost by definition, a botched repair - and removed a lot of hub ear material such that there wasn't enough structural support to avoid the ear breaking off if the caliper grabbed the disc abruptly. Once the one ear is broken then it's just a matter of time before the other ear will fatigue and break too. Just another hack who should put down the sawzall/visegrips/air hammer/duck tape/gorilla glue/pipe wrench and step away from the ferrari....

 

Uh-oh. I actually did try to use a sawzall once to get my alternator off......

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277405

 

Helicoils were installed at the factory. It is meant in this instance for bolted applications where components could be frequently removed/installed for future servicing requirements. To prevent the risk of stripping the soft aluminum threads, the steel helicoil insert would be more durable.

Although, I wouldn't put it past the fact that it could have been installed incorrectly, or they may have been a casting defect of the hub, or both...

 

Hi Peter,

No helicoils on hubs of my 3.2 mondi cab. I know, as I've had the calipers on and off several times. The calipers are indeed just bolted right into the aluminum ears.

It certainly would make sense to have a helicoil type insert there however, properly engineered and sized for the application. Perhaps some, or most, came equipped as such, but mine did not.

In any case, I think the end result is the same, corrosion and not enough material around the ear to provide more than enough support for the caliper.

 

No Helicoils on my..

1981 Euro Mondial-8, just threads cut into the ears.
Go through paperwork, find that brake shop Hack.
(Unreal, that problem could have rolled the car, with you in it.)

Edwardo

 

Wow, seems to be a retrograde step on Ferrari's part. The helicoils are even shown in the 308 GT4 parts catalog (with P/N's). They're used throughout the engine and in the rear hubs...