I had some issues with the seats in my 456 and sure enough the culprits were the seat pot meters. I found these, both in one seat, to be at an end position rather than somewhere in between as was to be expected considering the position of the seat. Interestingly, the shafts with the tiny white lips that hold on the ball on the gear wheel were not broken (as described in other threads on here), and actually everything looked to be fine, it is just that the torque required to rotate the pot meter exceeds the torque at which the coupling slips which is rather minimal. Any suggestions to increase the slip torque? I've read people just glueing shaft and wheel together, but then the slip functionality is obviously gone. I can buy replacement shafts (https://www.ebay.nl/itm/Ferrari-355-seat-position-potentiometer-drive-repair-kit/143665671697??&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=1346-53482-19255-0&campid=5336838664&toolid=10001&customid=kn4mlzrux1000k3x007hz), but since nothing is actually broken I feel a bit reluctant. Bart Image Unavailable, Please Login
Edit; I've checked all 4 potentio meters in both seats and found 2 with broken legs, 1 slipping without being broken and one operating as intended. I've ordered 4 new from the gentleman on ebay.
I'd be interested to see what results you have.. I have a challenge with my seats that they sometimes don't return to prior position like they should.. I think it may be the potentiometers...but I have not dug them out of the seats to check them.
Be sure to use the provided tool for assembly. The legs are quite fragile and a lot of the grip comes from the metal ring. I tested some of the prototype "claws" from the eBay guy, Nigel, on 4 or 5 old broken pots that my local Ferrari tech was saving and indeed there were was one pot which was extremely difficult to turn. There are lubricants for pots, but I don't know if they would work in this case because of the spring force on the slider and the small contact point. Don't be shocked by the new claws' rough appearance Image Unavailable, Please Login
I look forward to seeing pictures of your completed 456.... from your posts you are doing a very deep rejuvenation!
You might say so! I can't wait to post pics of the finished product but prefer to wait with posting until it is actually finished, or at least road worthy.
Hey bud just following up on this thread. Did you ever finish dealing with your seats? And do you have any pictures of the potentiometers both in the car before you took them out and after you fix them? Thanks