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Air Shock Might Need Replacing! (Combined Thread, Air Suspension Corrosion Problem)

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#181 ·
volkswagendude said:
Yup, BC tech sure did. To me it was a matter of time before someone did do this job in typical "shade tree mechanic" style.
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If they do, they will also need to buy the special socket wrench for this as you cannot just use a normal socket on the fitting.
 
#182 ·
I got the info from an alldata repair manual.The fitting can be fixed on the lift,the strut must be removed to repair the air spring.
 
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Discussion starter · #185 ·
......concerning the rear, much less exposed to corrosion. I stuck my head back there myself today, but didn't go up high enough(with my head) to look at the actual connector. It looked very clean and tidy up there was my first impression though..

And so the Transport Canada inspector who works in the Department de genie mecanique Securitie Routiere came by my house today, and inspected the Touareg(took many pictures), my pictures, even this thread, and in fact, he took down the link of it, which is inspiring news, of someone who is willing. All in all, he feels that this situation fits within the criteria of a "road security" concern, and he will be proceeding with the protocols of his department to bring on the investigation in full gear, with the outcome pending of course until a final conclusion is reached. No need for me to carry on with the fine details pertaining to it. A final outcome can take anywhere from 3 weeks, to half a year, and getting the manufacturer to to undertake a full fledged recall up to 3 years. However again, he did say there is a strong case, and the case will get much stronger if people report their failures in their respective regions, and to ALWAYS take pictures of the failed components.

I asked him about the "check valve" that was brought up (I think on page 16...not sure), and also asked him if there have been other air suspension related incidents with other makes of vehicles in the past. I was surprised at both answers. He told me that if a recall is ever issued on this case, it certainly won't be for a complete redesign of the air suspension canister with implemented check valve in place. Due to the fact, that no manufactuter he is aware of has this as standard installed, and issuing a recall based on that "lack of", would necessitate a complete redesign of the air suspension as a whole itself within the auto industry!

On the second question, he gave me an example of an air suspension incident in the past that pertained to the rear air suspension of a big rig. The rear air bag collapsed(I don't remember all the details now as to how or why that happened..), at slow speeds(thank God!), resulting a complete recall of that given manufacturer of those big rigs. An air suspension related incident leading to a recall has therefore happened here before.

The investigation will try to conclude in our case, what exactly caused this suspension related failure, the obvious main suspects are salt, and/or galvanic corrosion between the two differing metals, but certainly until conclusive until said study is final. Should that prove to be the case, the T.C security inspector feels there is no excuse why the engineers did not take into effect so soon into the game, salt exposure, given the fact that there are PLENTY places in the world that use such on the road materials for said safety.



 
#186 ·
Jimbuffalo said:
I like the idea of cleaning in there and maybe coating them in some grease to keep the salts and other crud away...the problem I encountered was attributed to an air leak...diagnosed via the old soapy water spray bottle technique...after they were replaced, the fault warning reappeared, so they then replaced the compressor and a distribution valve...lending additional credence to the earlier post in this thread that a subtle air leak could likely cause your compressor to overwork itself and fail.
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I have the same problem. I bought a 2004 V10 recently and was really discouraged that after owning it for 3 weeks a front suspension went and then a couple days later the other front went too (it was not cheap to fix and I have had no luck with the warranty company. I get the fault running gear workshop warning light on and its driving me nuts. I don't recommend this for areas where they apply road salt until they come up with a solution to prevent the corrosion
 
#187 ·
I like the idea of using grease but I was also thinking of gunking it up with outdoor silicone (the stuff used around windows and doors). It's a $10 solution for a $2000.00 repair job.

I'm extremely interested in the transport canada investigation too:cool:
 
Discussion starter · #188 ·
timberwolf said:
I have the same problem. I bought a 2004 V10 recently and was really discouraged that after owning it for 3 weeks a front suspension went and then a couple days later the other front went too (it was not cheap to fix and I have had no luck with the warranty company. I get the fault running gear workshop warning light on and its driving me nuts. I don't recommend this for areas where they apply road salt until they come up with a solution to prevent the corrosion
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Did you report this to Transport Canada yet? If you haven't, and it truly did fail on you, please DON'T HESITATE to do so! I mean like do it as you read this! The T.C inspector asked me to encourage people with failures to report them in. If backed with pictures also, it is literally something like one more nail in the coffin. If you don't have pictures, although preferable, please don't let that stop you from reporting it. Just make sure that you have any invoices of the repair on keeps for future proof.



 
#189 ·
Hi All,

Just to update on my case.

The suspension has now been replaced and the car is back with us. All appears well, although we did have to stump up 40% of the bill it was getting a bit long in the tooth without the car. I have kept the original suspension just in case. The plus side being the parts are guaranteed for 2 years although I doubt they will now have any issue. The rears as previously quoted are fine as they are not subjected to the muck thrown up by the tyres.

Reference the recall here in the UK - VOSA (the UK Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) have confirmed they will not be taking it further with VW at this time. The reason being is that VW have advised that the car is still controllable in the event of the suspension collapsing as the car then sits on the bump stops within the air suspension. When quoting this site and the issue experienced of being thrown off the road as a result it was viewed with scepticism and also would not be relevant to a UK case having occurred overseas.

VOSA also receive all accident figures relating to cars in the UK and there have so far been no fatalities or accidents attributed to suspension failure on the Touareg.

So... the long and the short of it is provided VW have tested the cars controllability as they say then they will not be open to a case of involuntary manslaughter should a fatality occur as a result of the suspension collapsing. Lets hope this never happens.!!

Interestingly they quoted 1254 Touaregs sold in the UK but did not have the number of cars with the older style suspension. So far I am aware of another car in the UK which has collapsed which makes it a 1 in 600 chance, remove the newer cars with later suspension and it would likely be 1 in 300 and counting.

Again VOSA have requested any other Touareg owners here in the UK whose suspension collapses complete their online form for investigation.
 
#191 ·
Any updates on the T.C. investigation?
I am suspecting my '05 may need the repair soon: it's started to occasionally drop the nose slightly after the engine is turned off. Has even done it a couple of times when stopped at traffic lights. The service advisor at my preferred VW dealer commented that he is probably the most familiar with VWs there, but he knew nothing about the TSB when I asked. :rolleyes:
 
Discussion starter · #192 ·
mrbeetle said:
Any updates on the T.C. investigation?
I am suspecting my '05 may need the repair soon: it's started to occasionally drop the nose slightly after the engine is turned off. Has even done it a couple of times when stopped at traffic lights. The service advisor at my preferred VW dealer commented that he is probably the most familiar with VWs there, but he knew nothing about the TSB when I asked. :rolleyes:
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Nope. But I did (thanks for reminding me ;)) just send him an email out for an update. Standing by for an answer back hopefully soon enough.



 
#193 ·
What happens in the air? If you are airborne, the wheel will not only go past the lock point but do it pretty hard!!
We get a lot of clunking at high speed on our 12 mile of rally like road...is that topping out I hear?
Does it on all four corners.....
 
#194 ·
air suspension Touareg 55 2.5 deisel

Would like more info on your dealings with VW, as we have suffered a failure of front end suspension. No support yet from dealership or VW.
Seamus70 said:
Hi All,

Just to update on my case.

The suspension has now been replaced and the car is back with us. All appears well, although we did have to stump up 40% of the bill it was getting a bit long in the tooth without the car. I have kept the original suspension just in case. The plus side being the parts are guaranteed for 2 years although I doubt they will now have any issue. The rears as previously quoted are fine as they are not subjected to the muck thrown up by the tyres.

Reference the recall here in the UK - VOSA (the UK Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) have confirmed they will not be taking it further with VW at this time. The reason being is that VW have advised that the car is still controllable in the event of the suspension collapsing as the car then sits on the bump stops within the air suspension. When quoting this site and the issue experienced of being thrown off the road as a result it was viewed with scepticism and also would not be relevant to a UK case having occurred overseas.

VOSA also receive all accident figures relating to cars in the UK and there have so far been no fatalities or accidents attributed to suspension failure on the Touareg.

So... the long and the short of it is provided VW have tested the cars controllability as they say then they will not be open to a case of involuntary manslaughter should a fatality occur as a result of the suspension collapsing. Lets hope this never happens.!!

Interestingly they quoted 1254 Touaregs sold in the UK but did not have the number of cars with the older style suspension. So far I am aware of another car in the UK which has collapsed which makes it a 1 in 600 chance, remove the newer cars with later suspension and it would likely be 1 in 300 and counting.

Again VOSA have requested any other Touareg owners here in the UK whose suspension collapses complete their online form for investigation.
Click to expand...
 
#195 ·
Mrbettle....Did you ever get anywhere with your touareg? Mine has started to do this and i notice it when stoped as well. Even the back sometimes will try to raise and lower like its leveling itself out all the time. I have already had the compressor replaced once and it fixed it for a day. The dealer doesnt know what to do and there really not being of much help. They had a couple of used 06s with air and wouldnt even bother seeing if they droped when you get out while running or how they acted. I then contacted VW group and they could care less. They seem to have no clue either on how the air suspension works and that they make it sound as if its ok for it to have a mind of its own. My range rover never had this problem.
 
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#196 ·
This is interesting and concerning as I am presently looking at a V8 with air suspension.
I checked the fittings and there seems to be quite a bit of corrosion.
Would something like this be checked at time of safety or do you think this would be overlooked because air suspension is not a common in most vehicles?
I'm in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and salt is heavily used on our roads. :(
 
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#197 ·
My coils and struts..............I'm thinking not so badly of them now. I can live without the extra clearance off-road. Not sure of how many happy endings some of you owners end up with or the cost...still it sounds nasty when it happens.
 
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Discussion starter · #199 ·
mrbeetle said:
Sorry I didn't see there were questions about my post. As for now, I'm just keeping an eye on it, but I did notice that it is happening on uneven ground as if the vehicle is trying to level itself.
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That's quite normal actually ;).

The T.C. investigator never got back to me after a few emails, although this was a few months ago. I'll try calling on Monday for an update.



 
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