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Fender Repair

Discussion in '360/430' started by colandreo, Jun 13, 2017.

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  1. colandreo

    colandreo Karting

    Oct 14, 2013
    74
    New Hampshire
    Full Name:
    Brian Colandreo
    #1 colandreo, Jun 13, 2017
    Hi Everyone:

    A friend of mine who is a body man is working on a 2003 360 Modena that is in his shop. The car was lowered and the front fender lips were never rolled...so they caught on the tires and tore the fenders (it is horrific to look at). So a piece of the fender needs to be sectioned out a new one welded in. The problem is this...these cars have amazingly sensitive electrical systems and just jump starting them can damage the electronics.

    So can you use a TIG welder on this car? I know that the front clip was welded together at the time of manufacture...but the electronics were not in it at the time. He tried calling Ferrari of North America for guidance...and they do not return his calls (shocking, I know). So has anyone out there TIG welded their Ferrari 360 (or had it TIG welded)? If so, are there any special precautions that need to be performed to avoid electrical damage? Thanks.

    Brian
     
  2. mello

    mello F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 12, 2013
    5,491
    CA Bay Area
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #2 mello, Jun 13, 2017
    Is there a reason as to why he cannot remove the fender off the car to TIG weld?
     
  3. colandreo

    colandreo Karting

    Oct 14, 2013
    74
    New Hampshire
    Full Name:
    Brian Colandreo
    #3 colandreo, Jun 13, 2017
    Yep...to remove the fender, you would need to cut the weld where the fenders is welded to the nose panel (which is between the hood and the bumper). So unfortunately, some portion of the fender needs to be welded while on the car.
     
  4. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    Dec 13, 2009
    16,543
    Charleston, SC
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    Curt
    #4 vrsurgeon, Jun 13, 2017
    Why not buy a fender and install it the way it SHOULD be done.. ?

    OK ok. it's not my car... if it was me, I'd disconnect the battery in its entirety and turn off the switch in the front trunk. I'd even look at the ECU's behind the drivers and passengers seats, disconnect those and those in the tunnel that lead to the instrument cluster to be safe..
     
  5. colandreo

    colandreo Karting

    Oct 14, 2013
    74
    New Hampshire
    Full Name:
    Brian Colandreo
    #5 colandreo, Jun 13, 2017
    Oh I agree...if it were my car, I would spend the $3500 and buy a new fender from Ferrari (they are still available). But it isn't my car...so I am just getting suggestions for my friend. As I own a Ferrari 360 Spider, he thought I might be able to find out some information. I am not sure that I would even put much money into this car anyway...drastically lowered...modified interior...aftermarket rims...scores of owners...and a checkered carfax.
     
  6. kommons

    kommons Karting

    Sep 30, 2013
    215
    Silicon Valley, CA
    Full Name:
    Chris
    #6 kommons, Jun 14, 2017
    I've TIG'ed a 360 before. Make sure the ground is close. I disconnected the battery for additional precaution. No issues with electronics whatsoever.
     

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