FF - Rotational 'scuffing' sound | FerrariChat

FF - Rotational 'scuffing' sound

Discussion in 'FF/Lusso' started by Fonzey, Aug 17, 2023.

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  1. Fonzey

    Fonzey Rookie

    Jun 26, 2023
    10
    Full Name:
    Kyle Townend
    Hi All, I'm slowly getting to grips with my new-to-me FF. After a rocky start with some handling issues (sorted by replacing the distorted tyres) and tidying up some bodywork, I'm now onto my next set of gremlins which are 'noises'.

    I have two of note, one is annoying and one I feel like I need to get looked at. Car is booked with Ferrari for annual service next month and I have time away between then and now, so thought I'd post here and see if anyone had suggestions.

    The 'annoying' noise is almost like a very high pitched electrical sound seemingly coming from the dash clocks/behind the steering wheel. It comes and goes, seems to happen occasionally when just driving straight but more often than not, turning the wheel causes it. It's very quiet, passengers can't hear it. Closest thing I can compare it to are those ultra sonic cat repellent things people put in their gardens.

    The second, and main subject of this thread is a rotational scuffing sound. I *think* it's coming from the rear and I *think* it's coming from the passenger side of the RHD car. I know noises can travel though in a moving car, so can't be 100%.

    It's fairly quiet, speeds up and slows down with the rotation of the wheels (not RPM) and is drowned out almost entirely above 3k RPM. Winding windows down just drowns it out immediately with wind noise.

    I initially suspected balljoint, but something about it makes me think that's not it. I still need to test a bit more, but I'm fairly convinced it doesn't happen when car is cold - and only comes on once I've been driving for a bit. Driving hard may make it louder for a short while, but that might be my imagination.

    I'm wondering if there is the possibility that the parking brake is dragging? I may have time to jack it up before I go away this weekend so I welcome any suggestions or things to check.

    I don't believe it's normal pad-on-disc noise or floating disc chatter, because the noise doesn't change when lightly applying brakes at speed. If it had a manual handbrake I could try gently applying that to rule out/reinforce the parking brake theory but you know... progress. :rolleyes:

    Appreciate any thought. I'm a bit of a tinkerer and don't mind taking cars apart - but I'll happily leave it to Ferrari if I can't find anything obvious. This is the last niggle preventing me from truly enjoying the car, so looking forward to getting it behind me.
     
  2. BruceC

    BruceC Formula Junior

    Apr 26, 2018
    255
    Tucson, AZ
    One possibility for the rotating scuffing sound could be a broken spring in the parking brake assy. After taking off each wheel and not finding anything obvious when I had a similar scuffing sound, someone suggested looking at the parking brake which requires you to take off the caliper and disc (it's located behind one of the brake discs). I'm guessing the arrangement is similar to my F12 where it was immediately clear as soon as I pulled the disc.

    It also found it helps you can have someone listen outside the car while you creep along to pinpoint where the scuffing sound is coming from.
     
  3. Fonzey

    Fonzey Rookie

    Jun 26, 2023
    10
    Full Name:
    Kyle Townend
    Brilliant thanks for that, that's certainly something to check.
     
  4. ANOpax

    ANOpax Formula 3

    Jul 1, 2015
    1,345
    The Netherlands
    It could be a wheel hub bearing. They are known to be consumables and I lived with a scuffing sound from the right rear for years before getting it replaced this year.
     
  5. maxvdh

    maxvdh Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 25, 2012
    61
    MA
    Full Name:
    Max von der Heydt
    +1 this happened to me as well at only 11k miles. Tore up one of my parking brake shoes too
     
  6. 21ATS

    21ATS Formula Junior

    Dec 10, 2016
    988
    Kent, UK
    Full Name:
    Alan
    I had a similar scuffing sound at the rear which turned out to be slightly "glazed" pads/discs and is apparently quite common on cars that have historically been used infrequently. I metnioned it when the car was with the dealr for s recall.

    They performed a "bedding in" procedure which effectively involves stamping on the brakes at various speeds....it worked and the scuffing noise abated.

    For all the world sounded like a bearing giving up to me but did actually turn out to be a brake issue.
     
  7. Fonzey

    Fonzey Rookie

    Jun 26, 2023
    10
    Full Name:
    Kyle Townend
    #7 Fonzey, Sep 24, 2023
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2023
    Thanks all for the replies so far. Bit of an update but no fix yet.

    I had the car into Ferrari for annual service, but as typically goes I couldn't replicate the sound with the tech on a test drive.

    He did however check any likely culprits during the service and gave the car a full bill of health.

    I then later took both rear discs off and inspected the handbrake shoes. All springs are accounted for but both shoes show sign of scuffing against the inside of the drum. Not sure if this is normal. For the passenger side it was actually difficult to remove the disc as the shoes were dragging so much with park brake disengaged. I backed the adjuster screw off a tiny bit but was apprehensive about going too far. This didn't fix it, but I'm not convinced that the adjustment was sufficient.

    I then removed the rear under floor and went snooping for culprits. No smoking guns but I did repair a bracket for the propshaft heatshield and replaced/fixed a few missing fasteners.

    Similarly with the carpeted arch liners, lots of missing fixings replaced.

    Still, the noise persists. Done a fair bit of mileage and I've spent a lot of time really focussing on it to try and identify it better. I'm convinced it's rotational with the wheel/brake assembly but I'm not sure "scuffing" is accurate. It almost sounds like a gentle steam train chuffing away.

    Tyres are new on freshly refurbished wheels but I'm wondering if something is out of round somewhere and maybe it's tyre slapping. Maybe a second opinion on balancing is due, but I'd expect to feel some vibration if it was bad enough to hear.
     
  8. Fonzey

    Fonzey Rookie

    Jun 26, 2023
    10
    Full Name:
    Kyle Townend
    Bedding in procedure is worth a shout, nothing to lose except my lunch but I'm not convinced as I'd expect the sound to change with light brake pressure, and it doesn't.

    If anyone has a set of spare (winter wheels?!) Wheels and tyres in the North of England somewhere I'd owe many beer tokens if you'd lend me them for half an hour to rule my wheels/tyres out!!
     

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