[Ironman]

During some minor body work (fender bender), the body shop noticed something amiss with the left front shock absorber. So what is the red thing in the photo? I can't see it on any of the parts diagrams. Could it be a shipping/delivery device to limit shock travel, which was not removed in the dealer prep?

The 2018 Boxster has done ~6,000 miles so far, and I never noticed or felt anything wrong.

Many thanks in advance for any insights!

 

[Pavanseth]

Looks like the boot has been torn off the red piece that was securing it in place.

 

[InTgr8r]

The red block is a shipping block.
The dealer should have removed it when they prepped the car

 

[GregW]

Time for a warranty visit to a dealer.
Get a good loaner.

 

[Ironman]

The red block is a shipping block.
The dealer should have removed it when they prepped the car

It looks like we have a winner!

After some other research, InTgr8r is correct. Either the technician prepping the car forgot to remove all 4 of these, or they can't count to 4. Either way the dealer will be required to inspect all the shocks, and fix all broken parts. If any of the shocks have been compromised by debris entering from the torn rubber boots/bellows, they will have to be replaced too. And I'll insist on a full alignment and tire check. And perhaps an extended warranty ;-)

Lesson learned: don’t take delivery of a car on Superbowl Sunday ;-)

 

[Viffermike]

It looks like we have a winner!

After some other research, InTgr8r is correct. Either the technician prepping the car forgot to remove all 4 of these, or they can't count to 4. Either way the dealer will be required to inspect all the shocks, and fix all broken parts. If any of the shocks have been compromised by debris entering from the torn rubber boots/bellows, they will have to be replaced too. And I'll insist on a full alignment and tire check. And perhaps an extended warranty ;-)

Lesson learned: don’t take delivery of a car on Superbowl Sunday ;-)

Absolutely insist on ALL of those things -- and make sure the dealership checks both strut towers and the surrounding hardware for stress damage. Question: Was the block left in on only one corner of the car, or were there others at the other corners?

Left-in compression stops happen far too often -- maybe not at Porsche dealerships, but DEFINITELY at BMW dealerships. The fact that yours were in for 6K miles-plus is alarming ...

... but look at it this way: your car will be a MUCH smoother ride afterward. >

 

[Ironman]

Was the block left in on only one corner of the car, or were there others at the other corners?

That's a good question, but I don't know as the car is a long way from me. In my correspondence with the dealer I'm assuming all shocks are affected.

Many thanks for the strut tower stress checks - that is in my list of action items sent to the dealer. After the GT4 strut tower failures, one can't be too paranoid ;-)

I can't wait to see how the car drives when I get it back!

 

[wriggly]

I thought Ford dealerships were the only ones doing that with the GT350’s. Sad, Porsche is a very high quality company, too bad it doesn’t extend to all their dealerships.

 

[CupraLeon]

Good thing this forum exists, I was hearing a cracking sound coming from the front of the car, after reading this post I had a look and sure thing :crying:
Waiting for a response from dealership at the moment.

 

[Nosmo]

No way...

 

[trusted]

they had one job...

 

[CupraLeon]

Dealership got back: the car is going in on monday, they will check dampers, repair what is damaged and do an alignement. The after sales manager has agreed on a little chat about extended warranty. Thx @ Ironman

 

[johan]

WTF?!

How in the H-ll can a dealer miss a thing like this?!
CupraLeon , be sure that they take full responsibility!

D-mn....

 

[ANGST]

Follow ups ?

 

[Daacayman]

8600 miles before I found 3 blocks and part of one block in my front struts. Trip to local dealership on my errands list...

 

[CupraLeon]

Follow up: They replaced the dust covers, checked for other damage. Car got an alignment and a shock test. Received both reports for alignment and shock test and a printout from the registration in the 'Porsche' system where it is stated that it was due to a fault by mecanic 'not removing transport blocks'.
Did a 500km drive with the car and it has way more comfort!

 

[4802]

Did a 500km drive with the car and it has way more comfort!

I'm quite sure it has, having a full range of suspension travel is always beneficial on a motor vehicle. The sheer incompetence in both of these cases is little short of staggering & it's hard to understand how something so basic can possibly be overlooked. Glad you've got it sorted now mate!