I have a bunch of German machines (not cars) and have found a number of times that there are parts on them that "don't belong" on this particular machine. I have learned to roll with it, on a car which is produced in higher quantities then the equipment I have.

 

Clearly, the dealer attitude is a real issue.

Just as a point of reference, my 2004 GT3 had a suspension that looked very similar to yours, although yours is the 997 whereas mine is the 996. Over the winter, I removed my Moton set up and put the OEM back in. So I personally worked with all of the pieces that make up the struts. Mine did NOT have the teflon coating/ring. Mine DID have the black sleeve/ring/gasket that yours appears to have as well. I think the purpose of that sleeve is to prevent hysteresis or the binding and unbinding of the strut (which results in a snap or bang noise in the cabin).

I suspect the part number difference is related to versions of the component. The teflon coated part may be the newer or older version.

This wouldn't explain the spring clearance issue. So I would look into the following:

1. count the threads at the top of the strut center (visible from under the hood, and this is the piston threads not the mounting hardware). Are they near the same? If the suspect strut has started to loosen, it might leave more of a gap between the top perch and the spring base. If it is loose, it should be tightened down, but do this correctly and follow the procedures. Just turning the nut at the top of the strut could twist the piston and damage the shock.

2. Count/measure the threads on the strut itself at the base of the spring. The shock body is threaded for the spring mount. If that base is too low, then that could explain the gap in the spring. This could have been misadjusted when/if the car was corner balanced and ride hide was adjusted (if ever).

3. Measure the compressed and uncompressed spring heights. Are the two front struts different (could the spring be damaged, collapsed). This seems to be the least likely scenario.

This should help identify a root cause. Let me know if my instructions/thoughts aren't clear.

Jim

 

pretty crazy the way u're treated. would love to see what happened to the dealer especially the service manager...

 

After doing more thinking and beginning to fully understand how everything on the car works ie. how the car is lowered, etc, I realized that the problem that is happening at the top of the spring when the suspension is "free hanging" should translate to an overall ride height that is lower on that side. Voila! I went and did a crude measurement.... I took a small 2 x 4 block that I had laying around... it slid cleanly under the left side, but was snug under the right side. Confirmed the car is lower on the right than left..... I took a couple of crappy pics with a tape measure to confirm again.... right side is about 6mm-8mm lower than the left. I would guess the gap at the top of the spring when free hanging is about the same.

Left side:

Right side:

 

newport Porsche (power) sucks- take it to McKenna, I live in Irvine (closer to power) but i make the trek up to Downey because their service kicks ***. I have a direct contact there if you need it, lemme know.

 

1 pls disclose the dealer's name
2 dealer techs are mostly incompetent only a few really know one end of a hammer from the other.