The suspension warning light went off. Just pulled both front left and right shock actuators, it appears my drivers side actuator is broken as is the gear! Planning to send to CaptainZ for rebuild and a new gear Problem: I cannot remove the metal gear which is just about broken in half from the shaft at the top of the shock. Searched the forums, doesn't really say much on how to remove the gear Can anyone help with a little instruction on how to pull the metal gear out from the top of the shock? Photo of broken gear Image Unavailable, Please Login
I had the same issue with my 550, see the summary here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/524804-f550-experience.html Yes, there is a little roll pin going across through the metal gear, holding the gear in position at the top of the shock. I used a screw driver (used for little torx screws, therefore with a near round tip) to push out the pin from the side. You have to apply quite a lot of pressure to do so. Installing the new metal gear and the pin requires some fiddling around as well. Let me know if you need some help here too. Martin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Gear and pin out now waiting on the parts, thanks for the assistance. Took about 10 min with your suggestion and my old watchmakers screwdrivers! Has anyone had any experience with captainz metal gear mods to the actuator? Considering sending my other passenger side, the good actuator, to have the plastic part replaced with CNC part, will this prevent future failure?
Why do you want to send anything to Captain Z if you just wand the gears replaced? Order two or four of them and change them as you started already by yourself.
You may have missread the thread...I am sending my actuators tho CaptainZ I will need one gear for the top of the shock as one is broken and now removed!
To my best knowledge, it is not the actuator that usually fails. The actuator is attached to the shock rod and the problem occurs if the whole shock rod, together with the actuator, starts to twist. If this happens, the electrical wire of the actuator starts to twist as well. If the tension is big enough, the internal plastic gear of the actuator and the metal gear at the very top of the shock break. I highly assume that the wire of your broken actuator was massively twisted as well. So if the internal plastic gear is not broken, the solution is not to replace the actuator (or perform a metal gear mod to the actuator). The way to go is to prevent the whole shock rod (with the actuator on top) to twist. Under the actuator, you can see a saw cup (visible on your pic above). Underneath of this, there is a thick round washer with two slightly flattened parallel sides (also visible on your pic). Using a custom-made mounting on both sides of this washer will prevent the shock rod, including the actuator, from twisting. There is a great pic of this solution here (see post #5): http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/402366-shock-turning.html#post142199143 I am planning to apply this solution to my Maranello as well (coming winter project). If I am mistaken with this explanation, I would be happy to learn from the experts. Martin
I have a broken gear on the passenger side (LHD). Will I be able to replace in situ, or do I need to remove the shock? Very little room in there to use any tools to install the roll pin.
I replaced mine on the passenger side in situ, there is actually more space there than on the driver's side. Just disconnect the MAF sensor to gain better access. Good luck! Stefano
Stefano: Admiration and respect for you and anyone who can do this in situ. LOL. The rears were very easy, but I struggled too long with the right front and decided to take the shock/strut assembly out. Easy to remove, and once out the gear was simple to replace.
