Front suspension drop

[Excited owner]

Hello,

Notice warning light on dash and checked my front suspension, this has dropped over night.

Started and switched off car and after 5 attempts suspension raises but when switched off engine, drops again.

I think the drop is more apparent on the driver side.

So do I need a strut or airbag, loads on ebay but not sure what I need, does anyone have a part number, my car is the CGT MY 2004.

Thanks

[Zulu 10]

The problem may exist anywhere between the valve block and the relevant strut, but you can isolate the problem by swapping connections at the valve block (but don't drive it in this condition, obviously!)

This document will give you an explanation of the system and may assist in fault finding: http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/ssp/SSP_275_d...

If it is strut at fault, then I think that fitting a used one is false economy, because you can't be sure of the quality of what you're getting.

Likewise beware the new budget replacements, for it has previously been demonstrated that many of them don't actually contain the adaptive damping valve, but instead just contain a resistor to fool the control unit.

Finally, only you can decide whether you are content to swap just one side, or would prefer to keep the car balanced by changing both...

Edited by Zulu 10 on Wednesday 1st June 07:49

[Excited owner]

Thank you.

The suspension raised this morning and so far is stil raised, although the offside rear is slightly down.

Are the front left or right suspension struts different?

I will need to get it to a garage for them to figure what it is, however, the front offside tyre goes right into wheel arch, so could be the strut or possibly the balancing arm may have broke.

[Zulu 10]

Excited owner said:

Thank you.

The suspension raised this morning and so far is stil raised, although the offside rear is slightly down.

Are the front left or right suspension struts different?

I will need to get it to a garage for them to figure what it is, however, the front offside tyre goes right into wheel arch, so could be the strut or possibly the balancing arm may have broke.

Not only are the struts different left and right, but for the years 2003 to 2010, Bentley list six different part numbers for the strut.

I'm don't recognise the term "balancing arm" but if you've managed to break the suspension then a faulty strut may be the least of your worries.

[Excited owner]

Zulu 10 said:

Excited owner said:

Thank you.

The suspension raised this morning and so far is stil raised, although the offside rear is slightly down.

Are the front left or right suspension struts different?

I will need to get it to a garage for them to figure what it is, however, the front offside tyre goes right into wheel arch, so could be the strut or possibly the balancing arm may have broke.

Not only are the struts different left and right, but for the years 2003 to 2010, Bentley list six different part numbers for the strut.

I'm don't recognise the term "balancing arm" but if you've managed to break the suspension then a faulty strut may be the least of your worries.

Ok,

The susoension does rise after a warning light in the dash takes about 5 minutes.

However after a few hours goes down again, so is wirn out.

Sorry I dint know the psrt which controld the height of the suspension at the front.

I only do 3000nmikes a year, so can park it until get the oart&garage

[Excited owner]

Zulu 10 said:

Excited owner said:

Thank you.

The suspension raised this morning and so far is stil raised, although the offside rear is slightly down.

Are the front left or right suspension struts different?

I will need to get it to a garage for them to figure what it is, however, the front offside tyre goes right into wheel arch, so could be the strut or possibly the balancing arm may have broke.

Not only are the struts different left and right, but for the years 2003 to 2010, Bentley list six different part numbers for the strut.

I'm don't recognise the term "balancing arm" but if you've managed to break the suspension then a faulty strut may be the least of your worries.

Ok, I vw think phaeton also fits

The susoension does rise after a warning light in the dash goes off and then all ok after 5 minutes.

However, after a few hours it goes down again, so strur must be worn out.

Sorry I dont know the name if the arm which controls the height of the suspension at the front?

Also, I only do 3000 miles a year, so can park it until get the part & booked in garage, in the meantime I will drive my wifes Nissan Micra and not worry about stopping at each petrol station!

[Zulu 10]

Excited owner said:

Ok, I vw think phaeton also fits

It might physically fit, but how will you know that the valves are the same?

Excited owner said:

However, after a few hours it goes down again, so strur must be worn out.

I don't know how you can conclude that until you've checked the valve block and associated pipework.

Excited owner said:

Sorry I dont know the name if the arm which controls the height of the suspension at the front?

You would if you bothered to read the self study publication which I linked to in my first reply!

[Excited owner]

Hello Zulu 10,

Thanks for your comments.

Alhough I did glance through the manual, it is not something that I understand.

I work in IT and not mechaniclly minded and any help from this forum is great and appreciated.

I have booked the car in the garage so they can check.

I only politely ask and apologise if I come across as being difficult/naive/lazy, am not, my priority is not with the car,but my health and then family.

It is an old 18 year old car which I will keep driving/running, but I do not want to spend huge amounts of money on expensive parts, so need to look around and where possible use Audi A8/VW Phaeton parts

[sandysinclair]

I had the same thing go on the GTC , 99% of the time it's due to the top of the strut that leaks and unfortunately cannot be fixed it needs complete refurbishment/ replacement . The suspension strut is chassis number specific so beware of eBay is my advice. Mine started off as a small leak which deflated the front only slightly to begin with, then after a weekend, then it just got worse where the whole car was deflated after non use for a weekend . Yes it did rise just like yours on startup after a few minutes but you will find the pump will be continuously running to maintain pressure which is not good for that item either, so, the only way is to replace the strut. From memory the strut is £900 so not too bad, then fitting is typically 90 minutes and can be a bit of a pain to extract. Aerosus is the aftermarket manufacturer I used I think ...OEM strut new is £2200, reconditioned is £1100 and aftermarket is £900 so it's pick your poison really.

[Excited owner]

Hello,

Thank you,

I will be using a specialist and they told me it 99% the strut.

Phoned bentley and yes they wanted £2200..

Also been told to avoid some aftermarket ones that dont do the samethibg and bypass the code, sorry cant remember.

So I have bought a used VW phaeton one for £120, got a 6 month warranty. Tgere us one for £62, but condition is quite bad.

I got the exact part number from bentley 3W06 etc and then looked for the matching part from vw phaeton, it starts with 3D06..., The part number is exactly the same bar the second letter and the last one, just to be doubly sure, i looked at quite a few aftermarket ones and the 3D and 3W are advertised as the perfect fit.

Should fit and work, but have to wait a few weeks to get in garage to do fit, it will be 2 hours labour.

Also I was quoted £800 for a rear caliper from bentley, found a matching Audi A8 one for £180 and it all works, so it pays to shop around, Audi A8 and VW Phaeton parts do fit.

If it was a newer more expensive bentley then I guess it would buy genuine oarts only, but am not going to spent £5k on struts for a car worth £12k, it is shame that people dont agree or like that way if thinking, but respect everyone regardless of how tgey do things, like I said its only car.

Cheers

[sandysinclair]

As far as eBay goes i think all i was really saying was you are relying on the person listing the item being accurate and honest regarding its condition and fittment and it sometimes can be a false economy and you end up buying things twice over ... Aftermarket and cross over parts are perfectly good and the way to go on a Conti Bentley.

[Excited owner]

That is true, if you dont get it right it is s lot of hassle.

Thanks again

[Scrump]

Good find on the Phaeton strut, hope it fits and works okay.
Post back to let us know the outcome.

[Excited owner]

Thank you and yes will do

[Excited owner]

Some good news..

My £120 vw phaeton strut fits perfectly, the suspension has been levelled.

Exceelent work done by Bwling Ryan in Bolton.

[Excited owner]

I have been driving the car for a few days and the car suspensions feels a lot better and more softer on the comfort mode too.

Just need to get the struts replaced now, to get rid of that cluncking noise

[Excited owner]

I have been driving the car for a few days and the car suspensions feels a lot better and more softer on the comfort mode too.

Just need to get the struts replaced now, to get rid of that cluncking noise

[Excited owner]

Had the front drop links replaced on both sides and the car drives and feels good and I can leave it in the normal mode.

Not a big job either.