996 steering thump on full lock

[phillhunter@yahoo.com]

Hello all,
My 996 has a horrible thump-thump through the steering wheel when I'm reversing out of a parking space with the steering on full lock. A specialist told me this was normal on a 996 but it feels horrible! can it be normal?
Any experience of this or advice?
It feels fine driving normally.
Thanks in advance.

 

[dij999]

i have always had that and considered it normal

 

[wibble]

The geometry of the suspension causes the tyres to jump when on full lock and manoeuvring. It happens on other models too. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Mani_S_Bhogal]

Ackerman's theory strikes again! That's what the main dealer told me when I had this problem on my 981 Cayman. I have the same issue on my C4S but to a much lesser extent, I had 20' wheels on the 981 and have 18' on the C4S.

 

[tscaptain]

997s do it too! On full lock the inner and outer edges of the tyres have quite different distances to travel, so there is some slippage (or thump-thumps!)

 

[phillhunter@yahoo.com]

Thanks everyone. I feel better now ?

 

[Brian RS]

In my experience only seems to happen in cold weather
when perhaps the tread blocks are harder.

 

[phillhunter@yahoo.com]

Interestingly, I got new winter tyres fitted yesterday and when I reversed out of the parking space at work earlier today it was as smooth as you like; no "thump-thump".
Maybe it is a tyre compound/temperature thing?
'Pirelli Sottozero 3' winter tyres in case anyone was wondering. first impressions are good!

 

[wibble]

Interesting. Did you buy another set of alloys for the winter set?

 

[phillhunter@yahoo.com]

I didn't buy new alloys, i just pay my local garage £12 per wheel to swap them over.
Twice a year that comes to £96 per year which is a lot cheaper than a second set of wheels!
I've had winter tyres for a few years now; on a Boxster S too, before the 911. they make a huge difference (i use my Porsche every day, all year). Even the Boxster was great on snow! I had chains but never needed them.