Front suspension 996 4S with high corrosion

[liberatod]

Hello,

Do you know if this is a normal behavior that the front suspension has this level of corrosion with an high risk to break?

I wrote a complaint letter to Porsche but just received a ridicoulous response.

Shell we wait for a fatal accident before a manufacturer take its responsibilities in terms of road safety?

 

Looks like similar situation as the issue with the floor mat retainer. I had to pay to resolve the issue where this should be a manufacturer responsibility to recall all affected cars.

 

Kind Regards,

Liberato

 

Edited November 9, 2019 by liberatod

[creekman]

Liberato, I think your expectations are rather high... Porsche can't be responsible for how a 15 year plus car has been maintained.  Are you the original owner, or have you just recently

purchased the car?  Either way I think your observation is correct, replace the shocks.  Looks like a nice car, enjoy it...

[liberatod]

I'm the 2nd owner and can guaranty you that it is in a perfect condition since 2007 when I bought it and all services have been made by a Porsche center.

 

 

[creekman]

What has your Porsche Service Center said in regards to the rust...  No question the rust is extreme, are you sure the shocks are original equipment?  I think you'll have to suck it up and have the shocks replaced at your expense.  There's always associated cost with owning any car, let alone a Porsche. 

 

Wayne Dempsey's book "101 projects for your Porsche" says you could spend up to $3,000 and 20 hours to replace the shocks, bushing, tie rods, , sway bar and associated hardware.  If you're a DIY hands on it might be a good project.  Dempsey's book would would walk you through the task.

[judgejon]

Very weird, but possible if car driven in cold country with rock salt on roads for melting ice.  Where are you located?  Ever hose off underneath chassis and up into suspension?  That said, not sure if water from garden hose would even get up in there.  High pressure hose with car up on rack maybe.  Good luck with all this...better stay off the track until replacement accomplished.  

[liberatod]

Porsche said that the rust is depending on the car usage so there is nothing to do with the material, conception and/or the manufacturing.

I was very surprised as it looks like that is always the owner's fault ... for a car that has done all services at Porsche center.

 

Take note that the shocks are original equipment and the area were I leave (Switzerland) is cold during winter season and sometime it snowing maybe a couple of times per year, however I clean the car every time after the winter season.

 

 

 

[judgejon]

Did you wash up into the undercarriage with car up on rack and wheels off?

my guess is accumulated road salt.

J'espère que vous comprendrez.

[dporto]

Hmmm... Manufacturers are not responsible for maintaining your car - period. These are maintenance issues regardless of whether you claim "the car has been maintained PERFECTLY" (ooo, why does that sound familiar?). Unless you're able to show that a majority of 2xxx Porsche C4S are having the same/similar corrosion problems (i.e. it's a manufacturers defect or a materials defect) there will be no re-call. In fact, there are probably fewer recalls than there should be, even of "real" issues. While the things you show are certainly annoying (and in the case of the strut - potentially dangerous) I think your chances of getting Porsche to help you out are slim to none. No go replace those struts and enjoy driving your car! 👍

[dwtaylorpdx]

Shock bump stops can hang when dirty at the the top and collect crud and create a rust line around the rod..