Hi Folks,
Annual service done and while in the hand brake cables have been fitted too.
Recently I have had the feeling that the steering wasn’t as sharp as expected, it didn’t self centre so I have the geo checked again at Damax as they recently did it, all good there, the geo is spot on. While there Robin did spot one seized track rod end and one graunching one, so both were changed for Hill Engineering ones. Robin also looked at the steering rack but couldn’t find any issues and the steering fluid level was correct.
So back to the annual service on the vehicle inspection Sam at Stradale Italia found that my ball joints are worn to the point that it could be they are causing a resistance in the steering. So we have decided to chase this down and give the front suspension a bit of a refresh.
I’m addition to the track rod ends Robin changed Sam will change, all 4 front ball joints plus the 8 gaiters that are required, the drop links both sides and the damper bottom bush, interestingly (to me at least!) Ferrari call this the Silent Block Bush, Flanblock. All this should quiet down the front end, and then I’ll be able to clearly hear the knocking and chattering from the rear ball joints!
On the ball joints Sam won’t release the car the same day, because a two pack apoxy resin adhesive is used he insists on them having plenty of time to cure before he releases the car.
Apart from that, the car is all good and still going strong, not long now before the mileage milestone will be reached, happy days!
Last month at the Fig & Favour Stourbridge way for a Ferrari owners club breakfast meet.
I’ll let you know if the front end refresh influences the heavy steering as one of the joys of this car is the good communicative (as the motoring journos say!) steering feel, will be good to restore that. If the rack is in question I’ve found a company to remanufacture the rack for £500, Western Power Steering, after speaking with them it sounds like you get back an as new rack, we will see if it’s needed after the suspension joints refresh.
Cheers, Giles