Spider top problems?

I've been on this site for several years now. 360 and 430 top problems seem to be rare fortunately. I hope I haven't jinxed myself...

I pray I don't have that problem. It can be extremely costly.

 

i think the low mileage ones that dont get used often are the ones with concern,i bought a low mileage 430 and my top operates very slow like a weak pump.

 

The hydraulic rams like to leak. I just replaced one on a customers car. 1700 for the part and about 8 hours labor.

 

OUCH!!

 

What is the average amount of time it takes for the top to be operated up/down, with it working properly, on the 360, and also on the 430? Might be very helpful information, for someone looking at the purchase of one of these cars, . Reading the post about the part costing $1700, and 8 hrs labor, not cheap, or quick to repair!

 

It should take around 20-25 seconds for the 360 top to open or close.

 

Not a pleasant job, not at all. Which ram did you have to replace?

 

right hand side ram is leaking in my 360 spider, I'm considering a rebuild - $1700 is outrageous.

 

$1,700 is outrageous, but you can get it for less. Nevertheless, have you found somebody who can rebuild these items? If so, they might be a valuable resource in the future.

 

Cabriolet Hydraulics ? Cylinder/Ram Repair for Porsche, Mercedes, Saab, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Audi, VW can do a rebuild - someone posted a note about them here a few weeks ago.

 

Perhaps it was this thread?

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/405938-new-source-rebuilding-hydrailic-cylinders-hoses.html

 

Rebuild is impossible. The lines are all fitted and one piece so it can not be done 1700 is the going rate. Mine does it and requires a refill about once a year or 50 cycles up and down.

 

I thought that rebuild was impossible too, but those guys seem to think they can do it.

Yours does what that makes it require a refill once a year or 50 cycles? ... don't follow what you're saying.

 

Im guessing he means it has a slow leak under operation and needs a refill every 50 cycles or so.

Cheaper than a rebuild/ replace, until you have a major seal issue....

 

The Rams usually leak internally, that is where the seal is. If the fail externally;

1. You have 300 bar of hydraulic fluid shooting everywhere
2. The fluid is caustic and will destroy almost everything it touches and you have paint, engine, fuel lines, and other stuff up in there.

If he has an external leak, its really, really bad and should be repaired ASAP. Internal leaks will slow operation at first, then stop operation. If the failure is on one side they could cause a catastrophic twist induced failure requiring much more than a ram replacement.

The top assembly is $$$$, and makes $1700 look like just the Tax on the bill.

 

Somewhat of a common problem. They are elastic or primarily elastic and they go bad from time to time. When the top is up, you can see a little bulge in the center of the roof. They are $2000 to replace via dealer or $1,000 if you have it done directly at an upholstery shop

 

The hood mechanism is made in Germany (as far as I know) using many of the same components that go into a Mercedes hood -- in other words, it shouldn't be any less reliable than a Mercedes roof of similar design.

Can't say I've heard anything specific regarding the reliability (or otherwise) of a Ferrari engine. They are solid and bulletproof, but just like any other piece of fine engineering, they prefer to be treated with a modicum of respect. When treated correctly, they reciprocate in away that not many other engines can.

 

The poster mentioned 8 hours to replace,one side? Is that the amount of time specified by Ferrari to replace each unit, perhaps some of the F-Chatters know what the amount of flag hours are,by Ferrari , for this job?

 

The process of replacing the ram includes the lines that are part of the ram to which the pump manifold connects. these lines run through the engine compartment and frame. Then there is the bleeding of the system. Which I understand requires a special adapter and SD* computer.

The price you are being quoted is inline with what I paid to have the drivers side ram that manipulates the capote cover replaced on my 03 spider

 

good news everyone: ferrariparts.co.uk got a hold of a few hydraulic rams for 360. I had a ram on a backorder with them for a month or so, and was advised yesterday that my order is ready for dispatch.
at 600 pounds, a bit cheaper than $1700.

 

The right hand side ram for the capote cover.

Requires the capote lid to be removed, trim panelas that surround the rollbars (both of them), the entire tub assembly that the top folds into must be removed completely. Before any of that can be done you have to bleed down the entire system so you can manually move the top by hand into various positions so you can gain access to all the hidden bolts holding the trim panels on ( the ones that contain the side flaps).

Once your all done, you must carefully line everything back up so you have no body interference anywhere where the top and othe parts move. That is very time consuming and nerve wracking.

Not a very fun job to do. I have done 4 I think now. 8 hours is based on experience. If your tech is doing it for the first time count on longer. My first one took me a day and a half to do. So approx 12 hours.

 

600 pounds, say 1100 usd, add shipping etc, your not really saving a whole lot. Factoring down time with the car. But if you live over there, good deal!!