Cayman S front shocks problem - Warning

[corvettedave]

Just abit of a warning to other fellow cayman owners, I had a front spring break a few days ago, lucky snapped just driving off the driveway could have been worse, at speed on a corner etc

2 reasons for the broken spring i think, a little of the paint on the spring had come off, which lead to the area rusting, alittle bit of pitting nothing major, also the front springs rotate slightly when corning, they rotate on a plastic bearing at the top of the shock top mount, its a very simple thing, it comes apart quite easily, which allows water/salt ingress over the years, and bearing drys out and stops working, giving the spring a harder time, cos its meant to rotate when corning remember

did the job myself, quite easy really, apart from compressing the spring enough to be able to build the spring shock up and the locking nuts ontop of the shock piston rods were rusted on, got them to move alttle , but the locking not is a git to get off, so decided to buy new shocks and springs(both sides), new rotating bearing thing etc, cost 1k in parts from Porsche, that's with a discount! lol

pics of problems - hope this help someone - mine is a cayman s, 2007, 36,000 miles - alittle disappointed with the level of rust on these items, cars nowadays lol

SO please check your top mount rotating bearing, its in the pic where iam holding it open with my fingers

Edited by corvettedave on Friday 10th April 21:31

Edited by corvettedave on Friday 10th April 21:33

Edited by corvettedave on Friday 10th April 21:35

[corvettedave]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I did think that, my 35 year Corvette c3 has less corrosion lol, it has spend its life around Glasgow area's, so maybe its been sitting not doing a great deal, plus high rainfall in the west of Scotland

[SkinnyPete]

Porsches, they rust unfortunately, but yes your struts are particularly bad!

[corvettedave]

had a look at the rear shocks/springs, not even a spot of rust, weird!

[SpazaB]

Looks like there's something in the water, my front left went last weekend.

I was away for the bank holiday and got a text to say that part of my spring had been left on the drive! I'd heard absolutely nothing and the car felt fine to drive (no weird noises, leaning to one side etc...) so it came as a bit of a shock!

Took it to Autofarm and they said it's quite common apparently, stating it was a slight chip in the paint caused corrosion and an eventual break.

My 2.7 Gen 1 Cayman is going in on Thursday to have the spring and bump-stop replaced on both front corners.

[Jim1556]

That first pic shows a complete lack of jointing compound on assembly. I'm quite surprised as this is an obvious water trap...

My M3's rear springs are notorious for snapping once the surface finish is penetrated...

[markoc]

My front right spring went on Saturday (987) with an almighty bang. You can see where the corrosion has got into the spring and then gradually worked into the metal until, I guess, it failed. Replacing both fronts under warranty, but not ideal.

[Polome]

Considering how Porsche bang on about prolonged winter testing , a car for all seasons etc,etc, the quality and durability of under parts is poor. The chassis ( I.e. Bodywork) has good quality durable under seal that last for years but Suspension parts, fluid lines ,springs etc mostly have a flimsy paint covering that degrades in a very short time. When the paint covering disappears the corrosion sets in quickly as your pics show. This results in painful maintenance that pees off owners. Look under a same year VW/Audi and you won't find anything like the same degree of corrosion on the exposed surfaces. And believe it or not that company use high quality materials in the fluid lines so it will never corrode. It's a sad fact that cheaper quality steels corrode quick if untreated and it would appear Porsche use these and don't care. Open the front page of your Porsche handbook and the company statement " engineering excellence" is the first words to meet your eyes...I dont think so. I'm a 15 year Porsche man with over 100k done and doubt I will change manufacture for a few years yet but I do wish Porsche would care more for owner of the 3+ year old cars that are well used. Rant over. Feel better now. Drive fast n safe. Ian

[SkinnyPete]

markoc said:

My front right spring went on Saturday (987) with an almighty bang. You can see where the corrosion has got into the spring and then gradually worked into the metal until, I guess, it failed. Replacing both fronts under warranty, but not ideal.

so they replaced them in pairs even one wasn't broken? Thats nice of them.