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RS parts delivery...yay! - Porsche quality control... boo!!!
Color me less than impressed with Porsche right now after received a (very) expensive order containing all the front/rear upper suspension mounts for an RS. These parts cost more than double of what the aftermarket parts go for and a few were on back order for over a month. So I'm a bit disappointed right now to receive a box containing numerous QC issues on a single order.
Let's start with the most egregious...
1) Notice anything?
That's right, the spherical bearing isn't pressed fully into place on the mount on the right (or even close to it). Not only that but the partial amount it is pressed in, you can see it's wedged in on an angle!
How this left the assembly line and was presumably (?) quality controlled by someone during packaging is beyond me. More pics...
Less egregious stuff (not returning or even complaining to Porsche and will fix on my own but annoying given #1)...
2) Damaged threads on top cap (good thing I inspected and caught it before cross-threading a $200 top mount!)
3) This needs to be filed down as it prevents the inner bearing mount inserting (yes, the tolerances are THAT tight)... again, not even mentioning it to Porsche and can quickly fix myself but in combination with the other QC issues, not cool.
4) Lastly, the mounting plates for the front upper bearing mounts should have washers press fit onto the four mounting studs... yet one was just bouncing around in the bag. I guess they never pressed it on?
Again, I can deal with it easily but I've never had so many issues on a single order. Perhaps they need disclaimers that "minor clean-up/fitment will be necessary for installation"?
A lot of manufacturers contract out their parts production for older models to the lowest bidder. I remember ordering a new shift ****/boot a few years ago and it's clearly a much lower quality leather than the original part. I would much prefer quality aftermarket than factory for a lot of this stuff.
Porsche quality control for older parts is abysmal.
i mentioned previously the faulty gearbox mount. Additionally when I did a full gearbox rebuild some stuff was out of dimension and caused lots of issues before the builder figured it out.
I'm inclined to pop out the bearing on my shop press but there's a chance the female threads to receive the top cap are mangled. Given the cost, I'd rather not introduce an evidence of me tampering with it if it ultimately can't be saved and needs to go back anyway.
Hopefully a new one will be on the way next week. A few other parts on this order took over a month to come from Germany but I believe the rear mounts were in stock in the US.
I know in the past I use to have manufacturing parts issues with Porsche Motorsports parts, Usually original Porsche parts as a triangle emblem with a P in it meaning with pass QA.
Did you buy those RS parts from Porsche classic or just your local dealer? I would return them that's for sure and re-order new one.