Damn Spoiler again
 

So we are headed in to the shop for the third time to tray and figure out why the spoiler won't deploy at speed, and on the off chance that it manages to spring out, it won't come back in. I mean, seriously, my C4 spoiler never failed once, and it was designed and built 15 years before this car was made.

I had problems w my spoiler, but they all went away with regular cleaning and lubrication.

What the hell is that?

My '04 was on it's 2nd factory ram and pump set when I bought the car with 14750 miles. It failed before the car had 17K miles. I machined a strut to fit inside the rams to keep it up and removed the hydraulics and lines. After a few months I decided I really didn't like the "up" look and really thought it silly to have a stationary wing on top of a duck tail so I removed the rams and wing all together. I like this look the best.

To me, less is always more. Anything to me is only as good as its weakest component.

Knock on wood. I'm still on the original at 57k with no issues. I think it's a hit or miss thing.

Anecdotally, it does seem that I read a lot of posts about lower mileage, older cars experiencing these problems. Hydraulics definitely like to be used regularly. It keeps the seals lubricated and with a sealed system like this when the seals go, there isn't much you can do about it.

I removed all my hydraulics and have it fixed up now. Maybe I'll change the wing out to more of a GT2 style at some point.

2001, 50k, original hydraulics, no leaks, working like charm. WD40 lubricate the rams 3-4 times per year.

2002, 40k miles, original hydraulics, no leaks, working perfectly. I never wash or lube the rams. They obviously get wet when driving in the rain, and they get wet when I wash the car (as I raise the spoiler when I wash the car), but they never see a wash mitt or a drying towel.

You don't have any kind of wing on your car? Do you ever drive above 75 MPH? If so, are you concerned about downforce?

Dock, a little WD40 prevents the rubber seal from cracking. Apply some.

This guy on eBay offers a nice fix.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120893086172...84.m1423.l2649

this system definitely seems problematic. I havent had the hydraulic parts break (yet) on the 2 turbos I've had but I sometimes get a controller failure after it raises up (wont come back down). after a power cycle it works fine again.

that's only the beginning and you may very well be "next". i have a copy of the spoiler re-bleed DIY ( when ) you'll need it.

i guess when the dealer runs into a problem he can't solve, they callPorsche and the tech and the porsche dude walk through the diagnostics, and then Porsche authorizes what parts to replace under warranty. They replaced both arms, rams, and motors, as well as microswitches. We will see how it works this time. I am beginning to see a GT2 spoiler in my future though.

I highly doubt that wing, up or down, creates any meaningful downforce. It's there as a conversation piece more than anything.