My passenger side visor does not stay up. I have a 2001 550 with less then 6,000 miles. I am told this is a Ferrari problem and most 550's experience this problem. It is not a big deal but given the value of the car, it is upsetting. Any other F owners having the same issue and what is the solution, I believe fixing this item is approx. 500 600 dollars? Any help please? canali
I have heard of this same problem before on 550's, although thankfully have not experienced it myself. Most seem to have devised "home remedys", I guess the easiest and most functional would be two strips of "stick on" velcro, placed strategically on the inside of the visor...not the prettiest, but it at least allows for some use of the visor as intended, as well as not being overly visible when not in use.... Im told that questionable build quality is part of the Ferrari "mystique", but FWIW I agree with you...shouldnt happen on a car of this price and stature. But then again, Im sure even the ENZO has some weird build quality issues as well....imagine how pissed those guys must be! By the way, now that your "on board" and posting, its only fair that you fill out your profile...and dont forget a pic of your beast as well! Goldy
I had this same problem on my 98 550. The price I was quoted from the dealer (Algar) for a new visor was ~$900, except that there were none in stock anywhere - someone in Italy would have to make it! And that price does not include the crappy plastic vanity mirror/light insert! So I decided to take it apart myself and figure out a way to fix it. It is basically a really cheap pressed foam core wrapped in leather with a plastic-clad L-shaped hollow metal sleeve that holds the visor in place. (The sleeve is hollow to allow the electrical wiring connection to the mirror lights.) The plastic cladding binds up and cracks, maybe from heat, allowing it to rotate around the metal sleeve, and causing the visor to permanently droop. The visor can be pulled off the sleeve and the vanity insert can be unsnapped, unscrewed, and unwired from the whole assembly. I took the metal sleeve and flared it longitudinally cutting a thin slit lengthwise on both sides of the sleeve with a Dremel tool or similar device, and then inserting a thin flathead screwdriver in the slit, turning the screwdriver and causing the metal sleeve to flare in the middle (bow outward), which reestablishes friction between the metal sleeve and the hard plastic core remaining in the top of the visor. Then reassemble the whole thing and the visor will stay up. I know my description may be tough to follow and a picture would help - will try to draw a sketch and post it on here if you think my "fix" is worth your time. It worked well for me. Eventually had to do the same for the driver side, which was staying up, but would fly down suddenly from a strong draft of air if the windows were down.
Just for the record it's started happening to my '98 550 in the last couple of months. Sounds like an enterprising person could start a 'nice little earner' with a repair service - the main dealer solution seems spectacularly expensive, even for Ferrari! Steve
Mine fell off about three weeks after I got it , but it hasn't started sagging yet, perhaps I'll take my garage opener off to make it last a bit longer
Mine had the sagging passenger visor (2000) when I got it with only 2,500 mile on the car. It wouldn't (snap up) and would sag about an inch. As a condition of purchase I had the owner fix it. He said he would - didn't. Long stroy short - he had it replaced and I think it set him back about $300 - $400. don't clip your radar detector on the visor.
Common problem, one of mine has it on the passenger sid.e Not really worth fixing unless it's actually falling into view. Seems like they only sag 1cm or so. --Dan
got the same as bobafett... sagging by about 1 cm. will worry about it if it gets worse. perfect DIY prochect for the mechanically gifted among us ! seriously if someone could take a few pics of the procedure described above it would help
Good monring Chuck, It would apprear that all of hte 550's post on the falling visor issue have the problem or will experience it soon. It appears your fix works and if you would be so kind as to post some sketches then we can fix the visor our selves. I have tried the 2 way tape , I a corsa red with black and red daytona interior and as son as the sun or heat gets to it the tape releases and we are back to square one. If it is not too much troble I belive we would all appreicate your fix. As much as I love the car, spending 500 for this fix seems out of the question thank you , Alican1
I also tried the tape method with a velcro release and had the same result - once the car heated up inside, the adhesive on the tape would give way and the visor would drop. Plus, I had trouble getting the adhesive to stick to the leather or to the plastic of the vanity mirror. I will try to take some pics and post them to illustrate my repair procedure. Stay tuned.
Heck, that happened to my 550. I tried Velcro but it did not work. After driving to the Bay Area from Orange County, my passenger was going crazy. It blocked her view. I stopped at a hardware store for some duct tape. Yes, duct tape. It did work. It has since been repair when my dash was re-leathered. Rats, it is starting to come down again. 12 cylinders or walk
