Spider top maintenance recommendations | FerrariChat

Spider top maintenance recommendations

Discussion in '348/355' started by TrojanFan, May 21, 2013.

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  1. TrojanFan

    TrojanFan F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 17, 2008
    5,164
    So. CA & NV
    Full Name:
    Peter
    Anyone have some recommendation of what type of maintenance they do to keep the top in good condition? Anything that I should be doing to protect and maintain the canvas? What about the rear window? Any products that work well to keep ti clear and supple? My top is currently in good condition and I want to keep it that way.
     
  2. skierlawyer

    skierlawyer Formula Junior

    Sep 12, 2010
    385
    Golden, CO
    Full Name:
    Brian
    I'm looking forward to seeing the responses to this question, also what maintenance should be done on the mechanical workings of the spider top?
     
  3. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,566
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    By far, the best you can do for the top is to keep the car out of the sun and in the garage when possible. The canvas can use some treatment with a canvas treatment from BMW. The window if fogged up can be polished with Meguiar window polish. The mechanicals can use annual lubrication and hydraulic fluid top off with Mercedes fluid.

    Despite regular maintenance, you will have problems with the top.
     
  4. stevew3765

    stevew3765 Formula Junior

    Oct 27, 2012
    716
    Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
    Full Name:
    Steve Wool
    I have a few questions to go along with the op's. But, I know what will happen if I ask. So, I will just wait for the answers. lol
     
  5. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,630
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    I lubricate all the pivot points once a year when I put the top up.

    :)
     
  6. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    11,894
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    I use Sunbrella 303 Convertible top cleaner & Fabric Guard Water Repellent about twice a year.

    I also use 3M plastic cleaner on the rear window. It's pretty transparent now, though the top is rarely up. Make sure you mask-off the fabric around the window first. It's tough getting that cleaner out of the fabric if you don't.

    I've read about people using toothpaste. I've passed on that one.

    I do have to get a decent lubricant for the joints. And I do have to check the reservoir & fill it with MB oil ZH-M if need be. But again, the top is rarely up.
     
  7. Challenge

    Challenge Formula 3

    Sep 27, 2002
    2,014
    PA
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    That's funny!

    Other thoughts:
    * Above all else, proceed cautiously and NEVER force the top to do anything. Forcing the mechanism can be a costly mistake.
    * If you ever use the emergency switch, first make sure the seats are out of the way.
    * Store the car with the top up if it will be sitting for a while.
    * Use a high-quality fluid. I use Pentosin CHF11. Others like the Mercedes stuff.
    * Keep in mind the clear rear window is not plastic-it's vinyl. I plan to rejuvinate mine with a product from Diamondite for clear vinyl.
    * Bleed the system every few years. I had my shop do this 2 years ago, but will likely do it myself next time. Many claim the fluid gels over time.
    * Lube the pivot points but do so sparingly. The top frame collapses very close to the carpeted firewall and you don't want grease all over your interior.
    * Cycle your top up & down periodically, as long as the temp is over 40-50 dF.
    * Never lay anything on the top. Not even a screwdriver.
    * Periodically tighten all acessible screws and bolts. It is amazing how fasteners loosen sometimes.
     
  8. stevew3765

    stevew3765 Formula Junior

    Oct 27, 2012
    716
    Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
    Full Name:
    Steve Wool
    One more thought. Try to avoid using the top at all costs because the tops construction and operating mechanisms pretty much SUCK!
     
  9. pnicholasen

    pnicholasen Formula 3

    Jan 14, 2011
    1,364
    South of Philly
    Full Name:
    Paul Nicholasen
    Also, at least in a 348, check the alignment pins at the front that fit down in the latches. Mine were very loose... they just screw in to tighten.
     
  10. FlyingAces

    FlyingAces Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2011
    849
    LA 2 Vegas
    Full Name:
    Joejoe
    The elastic bands that retract the 2nd bar wears out; easy & cheap fix. Bolt's come loose, & cause the actuators to loose sync. Go over them, especially the one's right next to the doors. Keep fluids topped up. Clean the proxy switches. My car just hit 43K miles and has had these minor issues addressed. I must say the mechanism's can take a beating, Everyone talks about how fragile the system is; I disagree. I can tell you from experience It's a solid built system that can take a beating. Again 43K miles and counting. I don't think my car is the exception.

    Don't worry about using the top or not. Enjoy your car & we're all here to answer any question's. We the SPIDER OWNERS and TECHS that are on this board have gone through these issues in one way or another. Listen to those and only those. Everything else is just "hear say fear" that keeps feeding our threads.

    Cheers :)
     
    Gizzi and Red575 like this.
  11. stevew3765

    stevew3765 Formula Junior

    Oct 27, 2012
    716
    Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
    Full Name:
    Steve Wool
    Grab a sense of humor Joe. It won't hurt a bit. :>)
     
  12. FlyingAces

    FlyingAces Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2011
    849
    LA 2 Vegas
    Full Name:
    Joejoe
    I know right? got all worked up :)
    rough Wednesday morning, I need a drink
     
  13. stevew3765

    stevew3765 Formula Junior

    Oct 27, 2012
    716
    Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
    Full Name:
    Steve Wool
    Or a drive! lol
     
  14. stevew3765

    stevew3765 Formula Junior

    Oct 27, 2012
    716
    Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
    Full Name:
    Steve Wool
    I love my car but, my roof to be honest pisses me off. So, I took the opportunity to burst out! lol
     
  15. ketel

    ketel Formula 3

    Aug 6, 2007
    1,355
    Sausalito, CA
    Easy there, killer. Let that Excedrin work for you.

    :)
     
  16. Monteman

    Monteman Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 9, 2006
    2,345
    Santa Barbara, CA
    Full Name:
    Monte
    I flushed the system and put all new hydraulic fluid in the system but the rest of the maintenance is very similar to what is mentioned above. The old fluid was a little on the thick side and the top seems to work with a little less stress with the new fluid.
     
  17. FlyingAces

    FlyingAces Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2011
    849
    LA 2 Vegas
    Full Name:
    Joejoe
    lol you guys are to much. However "Excedrin" is so last summer, "Serenity" seems to do the job when I'm in one of those moods. ugh 1st world problems just get to me sometimes. :)
     
  18. stevew3765

    stevew3765 Formula Junior

    Oct 27, 2012
    716
    Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
    Full Name:
    Steve Wool
    hey everyone. Is there a thread we can send Joe to that soothes. He needs to stretch out for a while and talk about it.....lol
     
  19. ketel

    ketel Formula 3

    Aug 6, 2007
    1,355
    Sausalito, CA
    Yeah, he needs some time on the couch. :)
     
  20. FlyingAces

    FlyingAces Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2011
    849
    LA 2 Vegas
    Full Name:
    Joejoe
    we can help dude...what exactly has been the issue.
     
  21. stevew3765

    stevew3765 Formula Junior

    Oct 27, 2012
    716
    Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
    Full Name:
    Steve Wool
    Well for starters. No way will the roof intiate a complete "down" process without poping it up and back. The it will engage and go down. It goes up just fine. But, getting it to catch and go down is a pain.
     
  22. 355tsr

    355tsr Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2010
    322
    per the book the roof is supposed to be popped open then slide back manually until u here the beep at this point if the elastic in the roof is still good (which it probably isn't) it should be pulling the second roof support back ...if not then you must manually push it back. from here it ought to work just fine especially if it goes back up OK.
     
  23. stevew3765

    stevew3765 Formula Junior

    Oct 27, 2012
    716
    Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
    Full Name:
    Steve Wool
    Thanks because that's exactly what happens and exactly what I have to do.
     
  24. ChoonHound

    ChoonHound Formula 3

    May 13, 2022
    2,225
    Saint Michaels, MD
    Full Name:
    Lucas
    What lubricant do you guys recommend on the top frame? Looking for something that will stay in place and not drip everywhere.

    Also looking for a substance to lube the pin receptacles with.

    I drove last night with the top up and my goodness it was squeaky.
     
  25. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 20, 2015
    14,287
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Ian Riddell
    I know what you mean. My Spider is squeaking more than my old fibreglass Lotus. I bought some dry lubricant spray by WD40 to try that. It seems to have a low “aftersmell”. I’ve tried others and they make the car stink like a factory/garage, overpowering the smell of the leather interior.

    Note however that I’m not sure if all the squeaking is coming from the roof. The whole body flexes when I’m driving. If I put my fingers between the leather sections near the door hinges as I’m driving, I can feel the body rhythmically flexing even on a relatively smooth road.
     
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