Panamera upper control arm removal question

[ciaka]

I was read in a service manual about removal of the upper control arm, and think it stated there is access to screws, without need to remove the entire shock.

Can anyone comment on this from experience?  I will be doing this soon and wanted to get additional info on this.  Avoiding removal of shock saves you need to disconnect from air suspension, removing entire shock.  On Cayenne that was the case, where upper control arm required removing entire shock, so access to upper control arm could be made.

 

 

Thanks in advance.

[ciaka]

I ended up replacing a lower control arm yesterday on my PTT.  I may have a write up about it, partial pictures.

 

About upper control arms, I noticed that the upper control arms are NOT connected directly to the air shock as they are on the Cayenne.

The upper control arms appear to be mounted to the vehicle body, with bolts accessible after removing the wheel well lining, as well as inside the engine bay.

 

I have not replaced one, but to me it looks like you would have to:

- open engine compratment

- remove the corner trim piece (next to the washer fluid for passenger side, or next to coolant cap area for driver side)...this gives access to one of the nuts for control arm

- raise the car

- remove wheel

- remove wheel lining (there are 4 screws under car for rear facing part of lining, and another 4 screws for the front facing piece of lining, under the car)

- separate the upper control arm ball joint (secure control arm so it does not slam into top of wheel well (put a bungee on it or tie down - ball joint separation will launch it fast)

- remove the expansion plug for level sensor attached to the control arm

- remove the level sensor attached to the control arm

- remove nut inside engine bay for each of the upper control arm bolts (two in total)

-- not sure about the bolt removal, I have not inspected how much clearance there would be

- once bolts are out, remove control arm

- install new control arm

- replace level sensor into new control arm

- plug in level sensor expansion plug to secure level sensor in new arm

- Tighten both side bolts/nuts

- Tighten ball joint at steering knuckle

- Put back the wheel well lining

- Put back the trim pieces inside engine bay

 

If I was to estimate, first time would take probably 3 or 4 hrs as long as no surprises arise (like ball joint seized to knuckle, etc.).

Subsequent visits I expect to take about 2 hrs.

This appears to be a good place to start digging if you hear squeaking/banging noises when you go over bumps.  It is hard to determine by trying to move upper control arm by hand, since bolts will keep that part secured tightly.  After you remove the control arm, you will notice tears in the rubber.

 

Hope this helps.  If I get in there one day, I may do a write up with decent pics.