356

1948-1965 / Coupe / Cabriolet / Speedster / Germany

Common Transmission

Ring and Pinion Noise

Symptoms

A pronounced whine or howl from the rear of the car that changes with speed and load. The noise may be louder on the overrun (deceleration) or under power.

Cause

The ring and pinion gears in the transaxle wear or were incorrectly set up during a previous rebuild. Bearing preload affects mesh pattern, worn bearings allow the gears to shift position and develop noise.

Fix

Ring and pinion replacement and correct setup by an experienced specialist.

This is precision work, the mesh pattern must be correct for quiet operation and long life.

Cost: $2,000-$5,000 including parts and labour.

Cost mentioned in fix

Cost: $2,000-$5,000 including parts and labour

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// More 356 problems

Other known issues

Common Transmission

Second Gear Synchro Wear

Second gear crunches or grinds on downshifts, particularly when cold. Eventually it grinds on upshifts as well.

Minor Body and Structure

Floor Pan Corrosion

The floor pans develop rust, perforation, and structural weakness. In severe cases, you can see the road through the floor. The driver's footwell and the area around the pedal box are particularly vulnerable.

Minor Body and Structure

Heater Channel Rot

The sills (rocker panels) that run along each side of the car are actually heater channels, hollow box sections that carry warm air from the engine compartment to the cabin. They corrode from the inside out, and by the time you see external rust, the structural integrity is already compromised.

Critical Body and Structure

Battery Box Corrosion

The metal surrounding the battery in the front compartment corrodes through from acid exposure. The corrosion spreads to adjacent panels and structural members.

Minor Body and Structure

Longitudinal Member (Helly) Corrosion

The main longitudinal structural members that run beneath the floor develop rust and lose structural integrity. These members carry the suspension loads and are critical to the car's structure.

Common Engine

Oil Leaks

Oil weeping or dripping from the pushrod tube seals, rocker cover gaskets, case halves, main seal, and oil cooler connections. A warm 356 engine will have oil residue on virtually every surface.

View all 15 356 problems