Help with broken air suspension cover

[mbagge01]

I have a 2004 cayenne turbo and noticed some clunking under the drivers side wheel well. I looked underneath and noticed that the metal cover that surrounds the air suspension was cracked and bent outward at the top. I have no idea how this would have happen. I went ahead and bent off the pieces that were bent up against screws and the air suspension so that nothing sharp was touching the suspension parts. Is this something I should worry about continuing and should I get it fixed sooner than later. Thanks.

Martin

[Loren]

Are you talking about the upper bearing mount (item2)?

If so, then I would get it fixed very soon.

[mbagge01]

I believe it is number 13 in your picture, if that is the metal shield that wraps around the air suspension.

[Loren]

13 is the metal bellows that covers the (rubber) air spring.

It is there to protect the air spring.

[mbagge01]

That is what was broken and bent outwards. I removed the sharp ends that were close to the rubber air spring so that it would not puncture it. Is this something I can wait awhile to fix. What would happen it the air suspension bag where to get cut.

[Loren]

The you will have a leak and that corner of the car will likely sag. It's kind of like breaking a shock.

[mudman2]

On the 04's there was a batch of bad struts. The metal you describe suffers metal fatigue. This is the first time I have heard that this did not result in explosive decompression. Noted by a big bang then your nose down and running on the rubber bumpers. Get it sorted quickly, they can rebuild the strut and don't listen when they say you have to get it done in pairs. On my 04 both went one at 70k Miles and the other at 110K miles. Unlucky for me I still had the car hahaha.

Edited July 28, 2012 by mudman2

[wvicary]

You need to get this sorted to prevent damage to the air spring.

[mbagge01]

Does anyone have an idea how much it would cost to get the metal belows replaced on this strut. I am waiting to here back from the dealer but want to make sure I am getting charged a fair price. They said maybe 30 minutus to an hour repair. That that sound about right.

[mudman2]

This is Porsche dealer right ?

I would have to check but you have to remove the strut, thats a couple of hours at least

I would bet $880 for the rebuild kit install.

[Papagut]

This is exactly what happened to me - splitting without puncturing the bag. I even did the same: bending off the sharp parts to try and hold it on till the parts arrived. Definitely something to get done immediately. Mine was bulging pretty menacingly by the time I took it off. It's not a difficult job if you are into it, and bought the parts from Sunset - air spring was $394.

[mbagge01]

The porsche dealer said that I needed part number 7 on the diagram above to fix the problem and they quoted me 650 for the part. Does that sound right.

[Loren]

The porsche dealer said that I needed part number 7 on the diagram above to fix the problem and they quoted me 650 for the part. Does that sound right.

MSRP $660.78

[Papagut]

That's the correct part, but you are in Oregon - so I would suggest reaching out to Sunset Imports and saving yourself the $250.

[mbagge01]

that is my dealership and that is what they quoted me. It sounds like i should challenge that quote.

[mudman2]

remember you may have to set the height again using PIWIS although I think Durametric can do it

[mbagge01]

Loren, what is the part number is the item that you listed the price for.

[Loren]

Check that price as there is an updated part number...

955-358-403-31 Left front air spring -- US MSRP $572.93