970 - Broken Panamera Spoiler (can I manually raise)
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Broken Panamera Spoiler (can I manually raise)
So a few weeks after purchasing my panamera (2014) the spoiler stopped working, my mechanic says it was corroded and disconnected the motor to spare me the annoying noise of it trying to deploy. He advised that I would be best to replace the whole unit rather than just replacing the motor.
I believe this was his advice based on that there was corrosion on the cables too and he worries it would break again (he said he always replaces the lot with these, I trust him). Firstly has anyone had success replacing the motor and that sorting it out (it definitely was receiving power).
Secondly I would quite like to let the spoiler live out rather than tucked in if it is going remain broken. Can anyone advise me on how I can do this manually and leave it in the out position?
Thanks in advance.
I believe this was his advice based on that there was corrosion on the cables too and he worries it would break again (he said he always replaces the lot with these, I trust him). Firstly has anyone had success replacing the motor and that sorting it out (it definitely was receiving power).
Secondly I would quite like to let the spoiler live out rather than tucked in if it is going remain broken. Can anyone advise me on how I can do this manually and leave it in the out position?
Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Oak Creek WI
I believe I vaguely rmr @huskeric might know how to / will be rebuilding them.
As noted, the motors do fail and create issues, as well as the linkages getting full of crap over the years... so, often times a disassembly and clean will resurrect them.
I source the Bosch motors through Slovenia (?) or the like in eastern Europe and cost about $100 with shipping.
If you have the skill set, this would be a fun project, but surely don't suggest spending the Porsche tax to get a new, expensive spoiler.
Also, I do have some on hand, but do note the 10-13 units are different than the 14 - 16 units even though they appear identical.
Here are some helpful vids
Last edited by huskeric; Feb 12, 2025 at 11:24 PM.
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Thanks so much for this info guys, really helpful.
I think I am going have a crack at it myself based on the video you kindly shared. I suppose I have nothing to lose.. (I am UK based by the way so I think I can get a motor on ebay for around £60)
I did hear that it can be quite difficult to remove the spoiler when it is closed, which it currently is. I also have a rear wiper which some say doesn't help, @huskeric do these things strike you as something that makes the process trickier?
One other thing, is it worth trying to make the box that contains the motor more waterproof with silicone or something?
Thanks guys!
I think I am going have a crack at it myself based on the video you kindly shared. I suppose I have nothing to lose.. (I am UK based by the way so I think I can get a motor on ebay for around £60)
I did hear that it can be quite difficult to remove the spoiler when it is closed, which it currently is. I also have a rear wiper which some say doesn't help, @huskeric do these things strike you as something that makes the process trickier?
One other thing, is it worth trying to make the box that contains the motor more waterproof with silicone or something?
Thanks guys!
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 933
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From: Oak Creek WI
Thanks so much for this info guys, really helpful.
I think I am going have a crack at it myself based on the video you kindly shared. I suppose I have nothing to lose.. (I am UK based by the way so I think I can get a motor on ebay for around £60)
I did hear that it can be quite difficult to remove the spoiler when it is closed, which it currently is. I also have a rear wiper which some say doesn't help, @huskeric do these things strike you as something that makes the process trickier?
One other thing, is it worth trying to make the box that contains the motor more waterproof with silicone or something?
Thanks guys!
I think I am going have a crack at it myself based on the video you kindly shared. I suppose I have nothing to lose.. (I am UK based by the way so I think I can get a motor on ebay for around £60)
I did hear that it can be quite difficult to remove the spoiler when it is closed, which it currently is. I also have a rear wiper which some say doesn't help, @huskeric do these things strike you as something that makes the process trickier?
One other thing, is it worth trying to make the box that contains the motor more waterproof with silicone or something?
Thanks guys!
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Joined: Jul 2021
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Just received my motor so ready to give it a go! Do any of you guys happen to know of a video that clearly explains the removal process of the spoiler? I know the video shared covers most but just wandering if there was a comprehensive video that shows this.
Thanks
J
Thanks
J
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Ok thanks, it is very helpful to be fair but just some of the interior panel removal stuff wasn't included but i think ill figure it out. I'll let you guys know the outcome at the end, and hopefully its not a gapping hole on the rear end...
Thanks again for the advice
Thanks again for the advice
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From: Oak Creek WI
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From: North East Scotland
Have removed mine a couple of times, really easy when closed. It becomes quite obvious that you need to lift and tilt the unit out . I'll be taking mine out yet again when I can be bothered
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Morin Heights Qc
To answer the original question, no, it can’t be raised manually. Both motors can be changed, though, and if you liberally grease all the mechanisms, they should last for a while. It is a poor design, but a cheap fix.
GL
GL
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Hi all — just following up on this thread.
I did replace the motor on my spoiler successfully but it turned out the issue was a missing spindle/drive rod on one side, plus a damaged cog on that same side. The spoiler would lift and lower, but it never reached full extension — just stopped at the point before the extension outwards.
I’ve been holding off on a full replacement because:
So… I’ve just picked up a second-hand pre-facelift spoiler on eBay, part number 970.612.670.00, for a good price — mainly in the hope that I could either:
Has anyone ever done a partial swap like this between pre- and post-facelift spoiler units?
Any thoughts on whether those internal mechanical parts — the spindle and cog — are shared across both versions?
I did replace the motor on my spoiler successfully but it turned out the issue was a missing spindle/drive rod on one side, plus a damaged cog on that same side. The spoiler would lift and lower, but it never reached full extension — just stopped at the point before the extension outwards.
I’ve been holding off on a full replacement because:
- A new spoiler unit is crazy expensive
- Even just the drive mechanism is still around £2,000, which is nuts for two broken parts
So… I’ve just picked up a second-hand pre-facelift spoiler on eBay, part number 970.612.670.00, for a good price — mainly in the hope that I could either:
- Get lucky and swap the whole thing (pretty sure it doesn’t fit, anyone confirming this would be appreciated)
- Replace the full internal mechanism, wondering if there is a clean swap out of the full unit considering they do sell that as its own part online.
- Or at the very least, salvage the specific parts I need: the spindle bar (that comes out of the motor housing) and the matching gear/cog on one side
Has anyone ever done a partial swap like this between pre- and post-facelift spoiler units?
Any thoughts on whether those internal mechanical parts — the spindle and cog — are shared across both versions?
Last edited by jf37; Jul 13, 2025 at 07:27 PM.
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Quick update and big thanks to everyone who chimed in.
I ended up dismantling the for-parts spoiler I bought off eBay and used the cog and metal bar to replace the damaged ones on mine. Swapped them in successfully — but the spoiler still wasn’t fully extending, just lifting up and down.
So I dug deeper. Took apart both mine and the eBay spoiler, including the top plastic housing, and discovered the root issue: when the mechanic originally 'put my spoiler back to closed' (when it had the seized up motor) he’d forced it back in, which had disconnected the two extension arms. He also zip-tied it shut (!). So I reconnected the arms and clipped the zip ties and it started half-extending. Then with a bit of pressure (and trial and error — probably took it on and off six or seven times), I managed to get it fully extending again. After some back-and-forth and a lot of elbow grease, it’s finally working. No more spoiler failure at 60mph!
All in, cost me £350 and a fair bit of time, but I now have a working spoiler plus spare parts left over from the eBay unit (even though it was a pre-facelift and not a direct swap). Now I am an unintentional expert in Panamera spoiler mechanisms 😂
Thanks again to everyone who offered advice — much appreciated. Now to see if I can actually get the boot trim back on…
I ended up dismantling the for-parts spoiler I bought off eBay and used the cog and metal bar to replace the damaged ones on mine. Swapped them in successfully — but the spoiler still wasn’t fully extending, just lifting up and down.
So I dug deeper. Took apart both mine and the eBay spoiler, including the top plastic housing, and discovered the root issue: when the mechanic originally 'put my spoiler back to closed' (when it had the seized up motor) he’d forced it back in, which had disconnected the two extension arms. He also zip-tied it shut (!). So I reconnected the arms and clipped the zip ties and it started half-extending. Then with a bit of pressure (and trial and error — probably took it on and off six or seven times), I managed to get it fully extending again. After some back-and-forth and a lot of elbow grease, it’s finally working. No more spoiler failure at 60mph!
All in, cost me £350 and a fair bit of time, but I now have a working spoiler plus spare parts left over from the eBay unit (even though it was a pre-facelift and not a direct swap). Now I am an unintentional expert in Panamera spoiler mechanisms 😂
Thanks again to everyone who offered advice — much appreciated. Now to see if I can actually get the boot trim back on…
Last edited by jf37; Aug 13, 2025 at 01:04 PM.
