Hi, Maybe someone can help me out with the following. I have an 03 575 (manual 6 spd). I am hearing a metallic clicking noise coming from the right rear of the car as I accelerate in 1st and 2nd and sometimes on decel. It does not happen once the car is rolling at speed. It is hard to describe, but it sounds most like the sound of my shifter going through a metal gate - i.e. metal on metal. It is a gentle sound, not grating. Car is performing well, not lights and so on. Just wanted to see if anyone else has had a similar experience, or know what to inspect. Thanks ahead of time. Mario
I don't know about the 575 and I haven't had this on my 550, but my DB7 has had variations on this theme, that have been: Suspension bushes collapsed resulting in metal on metal click when breaking or rapid weight shifts; Exhaust bracket worked loose - same noise but only when going over bumps or pulling away.
I may be the splines in the half-shafts. Gently rock the car first to reverse and listen for a click from the rear of the car. It is better if you can be observing from outside of the car. I had mine replaced under extended warranty. It is my understanding that this is a problem with both 550 and 575 half-shafts. As best as I can tell from talking to the techs, the half-shaft spline is a "loose fit" in the wheel hub. I helped the tech change mine and the only thing that I noticed was a lot of "lock-tight" or similar material in the spline. My wild-a** guess is that the loose fit in the spline is filled with a lot of "lock-tight" and when and if this breaks down, the loose fitting spline clicks. Steve
I forgot to mention that, at least in my case, the clicking noise was variable and could not always be produced "on demand". Steve
I mentioned the half shaft issue to the dealer (not a Ferrari dealer, but supposedly the mechanic is a Ferrari specialist) and he seemed to agree. He estimated the repair at about $2k. But his advice was to keep driving it until it became consistent enough to be bothersome. Any opinions on whether that is wise? Can I do "more" damage by continuing to drive it like this? Honestly, I don't see much performance impact... Mario
I would also check for exhaust pipes rubbing e.g. long pipes rubbing on cross-member near gearbox or where pipes bend over half-shafts. Just lift up pipes a bit - easy and cheap adjustment. Ron
tmario the problem is covered under warranty or the f-car extended warranty. Didn't cost me a dime. I helped to change the half-shafts and to my eye the problem seemed to be a loose fit of the spline which had been "corrected" with a lot of lock-tite type of material. Once the "lock-tite" fractures the spline can click. That's my wag. Is it a problem to drive, I don't know, but the f-car dealer recommended they be replaced. I don't think there is a huge financial gain for the dealer on warranty work.
Not wise. I'm not familliar wise the 550/575 half shafts but I have had problems with the axle hubs on my 348. The problem with mine wasn't that the splines didn't fit, it was with the ring nut that holds the hub axle to the axle connecting flange. Who ever the morron was that put the thing together did not torque the ring nut down properly. Well on the left side this caused the axle connecting flange to get cockeyed inside the wheel bearing. The result was having to get a new flange and new bearings. But on the right side it was worse. This time the splines on both the hub axle and the axle connecting flange were ruined. It looked like when a nut gets round off from the wrong size wrench being used. This was on both of these parts and it was BAD! The bearing on the old hub shaft was a pain to get off. I had to take it to a shop that had a 15 ton press in order to get it off the hub shaft. Just so you know, The first time this happend the dealer wanted $1400 for a new axle flange, and that was only for the part. I found a used one at a deep discount. This next time around I didn't even bother asking what they wanted, because if the axle flange was $1400 I can only imagine the insane price they want for the hub shaft. So get it fixxed now, especially if it is still under the warrenty, other wise you can create more problems by letting it continually wiggle inside the hub, and it will be on your dime.
I'm making an appt to get it checked by Ferrari! I think it will be my dime unless it was a recall because I would think the warranty is done on my 2003. Thanks.
Do you have the optional two piece road wheels? If you do, it may be the wheels that are the problem. I have noticed on all the 550 and 575 with these wheels that they make a cracking noise when accelerating especially from a stop. I am looking into why but I have a thought it has somthing to do with the fastning bolts for the rim halfs or the rim seal. will let you know what I find out. Best regards, Jim
I have the 19 "modulars" with the little bolts...Are those the ones you mean? Let me know what you find out...
