355 - how to determine health of clutch? | FerrariChat

355 how to determine health of clutch?

Discussion in '348/355' started by rob lay, Dec 18, 2022.

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  1. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    ok ok, I'm not a newb. it is obvious when your clutch starts really slipping. my car supposedly has a new clutch not many miles ago. either I'm just not use to how soft a 355 clutch is compared to a 328 or 355 Challenge, or my clutch really isn't that healthy. it isn't slipping under power, it just seems pretty soft and lethargic getting engaged. also seems like pretty long pedal pull back before engaging solid from what I'm use to.

    I really need to drive some other street 355's or have someone experienced drive mine to compare. How can you know the health of the your clutch otherwise on a 355 manual?
     
    rob lay, Dec 18, 2022
    #1
  2. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran Sponsor Rossa Subscribed

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    One possibility is if it was rebuilt not replaced, it could have weaker pressure plate if that was redone. I have read others have that issue with a rebuild vs replace the whole unit. Just a possibility.
     
    Ferrarium, Dec 18, 2022
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  3. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    I don’t know what’s normal, but when I had my clutch replaced, the engagement was quite abrupt (compared to previously), but the pedal was quite far up before it engaged.

    However, I’m not a big fan of using clutch feel as a sign of wear. I asked my PPI inspector to check the clutch… He said it felt great so didn’t do a visual inspection. I discovered a few hundred kilometres later, it wasn’t great. There was very little meat left on it.
     
    Qavion, Dec 18, 2022
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  4. Etcetera

    Etcetera Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Sure sounds like a weak pressure plate to me.
     
    Etcetera, Dec 18, 2022
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  5. POLO35

    POLO35 Formula Junior

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    Yep, you may have some broken pressure plate fingers possibly. I have a 348 which has a nice inspection window...not familiar with 355.
     
    POLO35, Dec 24, 2022
    #5
  6. 348Jeff

    348Jeff Formula 3

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    Perhaps - the hydraulic fluid just needs bleeding/replacing.

    If you have broken fingers on your cover spring you'll get a rattle when you switch the engine off as the piece(s) drop-down.

    If it's really bothering you it's not a hard job to do.
     
    348Jeff, Dec 24, 2022
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  7. anton74

    anton74 Rookie

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    I would also suspect a worn pressure plate. Personally, I can also confirm Ferrarium's assertion that an overhauled clutch can be problematic. In my case, the clutch had to be replaced twice because of this :(
     
    anton74, Dec 29, 2022
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  8. Carmellini

    Carmellini Formula Junior

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    Possible your clutch is slipping because it got wet from leaking triple seals.
     
    Carmellini, Dec 29, 2022
    #8

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