RAudi Driver

So my parts were sitting on my front doorstep this AM. I'm going to tackle the task of replacing the mounts and rings, which will hopefully fix my leak. If any members have any tips, please chime in. I would appreciate it greatly.

I'll will also be sure to make a DIOY for this one as I'm sure many of us will be faced with this in the future.

deilenberger

Good luck and hope your DIOY(?) comes out great.

One comment on rubber parts in general. They last longer if treated with silicone grease. Silicone grease is sold for lots of uses (high-vacuum grease, stop-****-grease, and even Gummiplege - a rubber lubricant for rubber body seals.) The exact type isn't that important, you just want a very thin film of it on rubber O rings and parts like that. The silicone grease forms a barrier preventing the rubber bits from oxidizing, which is the usual cause of failure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicone_grease

Just a thought.. you can certainly find some by Googling it..

These would be suitable products:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DANCO-0-...8693/203193536
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oatey-Silicone-Grease/50236505
https://www.menards.com/main/plumbin...4428647855.htm

AGARubberDuck

PM me if you run into a tough spot - can't be too different than the 955 on which I replaced the air springs on 3 occasions. Probably the trickiest part (other than finding the &^%$# 3rd top mounting bolt) is taking the large nut off of the top of the strut. the shaft spins freely so there is a temptation to grab it with a pipe wrench. Needless to say that'd be a bad idea. I used an air wrench to get break it free as there seems to be enough mass in the shaft that the sudden torque of an air wrench can spin the nut in short bursts (where a hand wrench would never do.) I think the specialty tool allows you to grab the shaft inside the nut or some fancy thing.

Let us know how it all turns out.

Quadcammer

Good luck. a good diy would be great.

140.6er

RAudi Driver

Thanks for the support members.

I don't think you have to depressurize the system. it supposedly has stops to prevent the system from deflating so every section has pressure stops. Hope this makes sense. If I wrong, someone please correct me.

I'm looking into a nitrogen tank for refilling now. Thinking I can get one that looks like a propane tank and get the correct fittings. I'll only fill up to get it to the dealer to get it properly inflated.

My last day of work is the 13th so I'll be tearing into it over the holidays. No trip this year.

140.6er

chsu74

The mercedes system recommends you have the car on a lift during inflating as the pump does not have enough juice to bring car up from 0 psi. Is it the same for Cayennes?

RAudi Driver

Can someone tell me if my plan will work. I plan on:

1. Removing front air shock
2. Rebuilding the front air bladder
3. Taking the rebuilt front air hock in to my indy to have filled with Nitrogen
4. Return home and install into the car.

From what I have gathered, every part of the system can hold its own charge. So each shock can hold its nitrogen independently of the rest of the system. Please correct me if I am wrong.

AGARubberDuck

Perhaps the 958 operates differently - for the 955, pressure was controlled by the valve set off the compressor. (not to mention both front air springs were on the same circuit)

RAudi Driver

Ok, bumping this thread because my last day of work is next friday and I'll be tearing into the front suspension. A few things have changed.

1. The not available part (complete front air shock) has become available and is in stock.

2. Its now almost $300 cheaper than it currently was last month.

I now don't know what to do. Should I just plow forward with the ring and shock mount and do the rebuild or should I just purchase new units and install? I could always rebuild the old units and sell for cheap to another member.

I've been reading that once the shock is on the car, you can' even set the car down on it's own weight as it will crease the bag This has me looking at purchasing a tank of nitrogen, a 9825 adapter and a pressure reducer aka regulator for the bottle, which I already have for Co2 gas that I use at work.

I'll make sure to make a DIY that will should win the DIY of the year award. It's a common problem with this platform and if we can get over this hurdle, it will make owning a cayenne a lot more feasible for all of us.

Something I pulled from the Net:

RAudi Driver

140.6er

DAVfoto

Also subscribed. Hope it all goes well! In my honest opinion, if you have the extra cash, maybe pick up the shock assemblies and rebuild your old ones and have back ups in case they are backordered again down the road (hopefully you won't have to replace ever again)

140.6er

Although its a toatally different animal, I replaced all four air springs on my 1998 Range Rover P38 twice. Also replaced the compressor twice and rebuilt the valve block.. I finally gave in last September and went to traditional springs. I think the Cayenne Air springs are much hardier and better made though.