986 Vague Steering

[Garycrosbie]

Looking for a bit of advice folks. I have a 140k miles 986 ( factory Fresh) which has always felt vague at speeds above 65mph. its as if the front end gets very light and any road feel is lost, rather disconcerting when changing lanes on the motor way.
I've had the suspension rebuilt- Shocks Springs coffin arms drop links - suspension geometry checked four times at each "specialist" and the car is running on almost new tyres all round - has improved things but not massively.
What next? was thinking it might be a steering rack issue - but there are no grinding noises and the car has just been serviced at OPC Wilmslow with nothing mentioned.

 

[Motorhead]

Very puzzling Gary. It sounds as though you've done all the obvious things - suspension, tyres and had the geo checked - so presumably everything's within spec in that respect. Have you had both the front and rear suspension rebuilt?

I assume that the front and rear bumpers are standard and that there aren't any non-standard aero appendages (check that the underbody covers are all in place). Suspiciously, the rear spoiler is deployed at about 70mph which creates more rear downforce but that shouldn't unbalance the car.

Although it sounds like a geometry-related problem maybe there's an issue with the steering rack's power assistance, although I'm not sure how that can be checked out other than by replacing the rack and/or the pump.

Jeff

 

[Garycrosbie]

Cheers Geoff.
yes both front and rear have now been rebuilt,no after market fripperies, want to keep it to as near original as possible. Had a thought that there may be wear or rubber deterioration in the u connection between the steering column and rack, it does look like in the past the car has been broken it to, and wondered if damage to the steering lock could have exasperated things?

Should have bought a new one...

 

[Motorhead]

Gary,

I presume that there's no play in the colmun when you're stationary and I'd have thought that if there's a problem with the steering column itself you'd have noticed it at speeds below 65mph as well, but maybe you'll need to remove it to carry out a thorough check.

By the way, unless there's some rubber in the crush tube section of the upper column, I don't think there's any flexibility in the U-J connection between the lower column and the rack.

Jeff

 

[Boris the spyder]

Another thing to check is the ride height if it has had a suspension overhaul. The plastic flaps on the underside of the front bumper can sometimes cause this but it sounds like you know these are intact.

 

[AndrewCS]

Tyre pressures ?

Are these cars more susceptible to how the pressures are set / run ?
The sill plate on my CR states that the temperature point for the cold set pressures is 20`C, is the Boxster the same ?
Setting at a lower ambient means running a few psi higher.

 

[Garycrosbie]

Just checked the front flaps...or the hack saw marks where I presume they were. will the lack of them cause issues?
Ive also been told the tyres fitted, Nanking super sport ,on recommendation by a sports tyre outlet are notorious ditch finders, any body else had experience of these?

 

[Garycrosbie]

Thanks Jeff
ive looked a picture of the uv joint which shows what looks like a rubber insert. But no play on turning the wheel.
ta

 

[Motorhead]

Gary,

I think you may have answered your own question. A change of tyre to an N-rated type could prove beneficial.

I've no idea why the small deflectors in front of the wheels have been removed since they're designed to reduce drag in the air flow under the vehicle by deflecting air away from the wheel. Some studies have suggested that, depending upon size and position, they can also induce lift at the front of the car but I would have expected Porsche - with their extensive knowledge of aerodynamics - would have had that base covered.

Jeff

 

[chrishak]

Just checked the front flaps...or the hack saw marks where I presume they were. will the lack of them cause issues?
Ive also been told the tyres fitted, Nanking super sport ,on recommendation by a sports tyre outlet are notorious ditch finders, any body else had experience of these?

My Boxster proved to be very sensitive to tyre choice. When I bought it, it was on nearly new Pirelli P-Zero's which suffered from shocking tramlining and changing to Continental Sport Contacts almost completely elliminated it. Both types were 'N' rated.

 

[dpoynton]

Gary

Not sure how long you have had the car but the choice of tyres suggests that the previous owner may have cut corners on repair and maintenance, could be worth having the car checked over fully by a good indy.

David

 

[carnaby35]

Must admit that the words Nanking Nevergrips and Porsche don't seem to go together too well!??

 

[Garycrosbie]

The saga continues, picked the car up this afternoon. Tyres, Geometry Check....driving home on a dual carriageway went to a fairly brisk speed, and the whole front end started to wobble, I noticed when turning in to my drive a knocking when on full right lock, only on right not left.
Having now spent somewhere in the region of 3 grand in trying to get this issue sorted, Im getting paranoid about trusting anybody.
i can't understand why porsche wilmslow didnt notice anything as it was only serviced less than 200 miles ago?
Any ideas where in south Mancheste/ Cheshire to take the thing, where I'm not going to get ripped off and any ideas of what the problem is so I've a chance against the BS merchants.

 

[Motorhead]

That sounds very disturbing Gary - not right at all. I hope that everything is bolted-up tight and that the wheels are balanced properly?

You would have assumed that Wilmslow would have performed a thorough check on the front suspension and steering system, including the PAS and steering rack.

Unfortunately, you're not my area but I seem to recall a number of members recommending Ninemeister:

https://www.ninemeister.com

Hope finally that you get it sorted.

Good luck!

Jeff

 

[Garycrosbie]

cheers Jeff, I rang ninemiester a few months ago but they dont normally deal with "bottom end" Motors. a least I now know where to take my RS6 for a service, I don't think...

 

[Southy]

cheers Jeff, I rang ninemiester a few months ago but they dont normally deal with "bottom end" Motors. a least I now know where to take my RS6 for a service, I don't think...

Hi Gary, Revolution Porsche have a great reputation on another forum I use, some members travel the length of the country to visit them.

http://www.revolution-porsche.co.uk/

I had a similar issue for a while, with a very light front end at speed in a long sweeping corner, I replaced the front wheel deflectors and had all coffin arms replaced and a full Geo, this cured it for me.

Check out www.Boxa.net it's a very active forum and someone most likely has had and fixed this problem before, it's not like most car forums (this one aside) as people are really friendly and helpful.

Grant

 

[Garycrosbie]

Thanks grant
ive ordered some flaps which should arrive tomorrow only 20quid a pair direct from main dealer. Have already replaced coffin arms, every little helps...

 

[Buddy]

Hi Gary, you could try Hartech at Bolton, they have been Porsche Specialists for over 22 years to my knowledge and even raced a 986 at one time.

Don't have their phone number but you'll find them on Google.

 

[Garycrosbie]

Thanks for your responses. Well....Car now back - issues found to be a cracked top mount and bearings and worn roll bar bushes...quite a surprise to be told by the mechanic that " a blind man on a galloping horse could have spotted this a mile off"
Considering less than 150 miles covered since a service/inspection by a main dealer and twelve months since the items were paid to be replaced at a specialist, I'm not a very happy camper.
Do I buy new tyres or flog it?

 

[Motorhead]

What amazing incompetence Gary!

In the first instance, maybe you can get some redress from your PC or specialist. I would hope that they'd be so embarrassed that they'll give you a good deal on the necessary rectifications.

Jeff