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Annoying problem.. any suggestions

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Hi Guys.. I became the owner of a 2003 Boxter recently (Awsome Car), and it has been driving without any problems, until the other week when I went on a long drive to wee bonnie Glasgow.

Now, whenever I go over 70-75, the car beggind to vibrate like the balancing on the front wheels are out... I do get slight feedback through the steering wheel aswell, do you think it could just be the balancing??

Thanks
 
Had a similar problem initially with my 986S, after talking to a few people and the OPC they seemed to suggest it was 'harmonic vibration' that can be caused by a few things, one reason they even offered is that it was a 'characteristic' of the car due to the position of the fuel tank![&:]

Main things that I determined could be cause were:
(1) Wheel allignment - had this checked some small adjustments but nothing major, problem still continued after this
(2) I had a different set of rear tyres to those at the front (a big no-no apparantley). I got the front tyres changed (as the rears were new), so now had same N rated all around and this sorted the issue.

Might be other causes but this cured it for me.

 
ORIGINAL: SteveW14

Had a similar problem initially with my 986S, after talking to a few people and the OPC they seemed to suggest it was 'harmonic vibration' that can be caused by a few things, one reason they even offered is that it was a 'characteristic' of the car due to the position of the fuel tank![&:]

Main things that I determined could be cause were:
(1) Wheel allignment - had this checked some small adjustments but nothing major, problem still continued after this
(2) I had a different set of rear tyres to those at the front (a big no-no apparantley). I got the front tyres changed (as the rears were new), so now had same N rated all around and this sorted the issue.

Might be other causes but this cured it for me.
Click to expand...

I have run different N numbers front and back and even different makes of tyre with no problems, even on the track. Yes the tyres will have different characteristics but it's mixing on the same axle that is the big no no.
 
Hi I have exactly the same problem 2003 2.7. I took it and had wheels balanced made no difference. Asked OPC to check and they say its ok no problem. But Im not convinced. I have 18" wheels and I know they are prone to tranline but this is different. You can see my hands vibrating on teh sterring wheel. CAr in for RMS replaced next week so Im gong to ask if a techie can come out with me and see..

I'll post outcome..

Also RMS is being replaced foc and car is out of waranty so not all bad news!
 
Hi
Might be worth checking to see if the little black wind deflectors on the underside in front of each tyre/wheel are still there.
I seem to recall a post a while back where one/both had come off and that had lead to handling/wobbling issues.
Good luck
Rob
 
I've heard that as well, the little plastic flaps under the middle of the car are apparantly quite important to high speed stability as well.

I am sure there are probably quite a few people who are running different rear tyre sets to their front sets without issue, but for me this was definitely the problem. As soon as the fronts were changed the issue dissappeared entirely.

However, this was an issue from as soon as the previous set of tyres went on, if in this instance boxi you haven't changed your tyres recently then doubtful this will be it.

I am also running the 18" wheels, don't know if this makes a difference.
 
I have just reported the same wobble problem to my OPC, and when they checked they said it was one of my shock absorbers?! That there was wear on the joint and a gap...subsequently this causes vibrations through to the steering wheel... Its in next week for a new pair, so will let you know what happens....

 
Just to let you know, I got the shocks changed today and most of the wobble has gone, there is still a slight wobble over 80 MPH, however Strasse of Leeds have said that this is probably due to the tyres as they are a non branded set and show signs of being out of shape ??

Has anyone heard of a tyre being out of shape ??

On the plus side, I have very slight oil leak from the RMS, and I went to the dealer and there covering it FOC [:D] parts and labour and lending me a Cayman for 3 days on loan.. now thats all down to me seeing a post on this forum as my car is 6 months out of warrenty, thanks for advise.
 
Has anyone heard of a tyre being out of shape
Click to expand...

I've certainly heard this, especially if the car has been left standing for a while. They may be right, you could get a second opinion.
 
Yes I have definitely seen a tyre being out of shape, and not necessarily on tyres that have been stood for a while. I had a Nissan 300 ZX TT, I noticed one day that it started to shake like a 'good un' above 75.

Took it to the tyre place Thistletwaites in Bolton, and he showed me it on the balancing machine, the whole tyre was off set. Not only was it bobbing up and down like rolling on an egg, but also as you looked along the tread of the tyre you could see it wobble like a buckled wheel.
The actual alloys were fine, he replaced the tyre and showed me the difference which was incredible (to see and to drive). The guy at Thistletwaites put it down to a manufacturing problem.
 
This can also occur with worn tyres. My 996 get a drone when the tyres are over 1/2 worn. It all goes away with new ones. And loads of tyres can be mis shaped-there are sensible guidelines how they should be stored-ie on their side not upright to stop this kind of thing.
 
I'd agree with the above concensus on tyres - had a very similar wobble at 80mph - very slight to the point I wasn't sure if it was the road surface or the car, but it was consistent so was the car - the front tyres were worn anyway, so had them replaced and the wobble disappeared.

 
Hi
I would personally be a little suspicious of 'non branded' tyres on a performance car such as yours - it may very well be worth putting some original equipment tyres on it when changing, such as Michelin.
I'd certainly feel much more confident with a 'branded' set on than maybe a Sukbadlee set made in the back of beyond.[:D]
Hope you sort it out soon and get back to enjoying your fab car!
Rob
 
Have the wheels balanced on the car, this then balances the unsprung weight.
For some reason on the car balancing has gone out of fashion, and if you remove a wheel you must mark the stud hole so it goes back in the right position.
You can balance a wheel and tyre, but new tyres should be done after 100 miles or so as a new tyre needs to bed in, I only ever see wheel balancing when a new tyre is fitted, so there could be some imbalance there.

If after balancing you still have a definite shake at the steering wheel then other components are out of balance - and this is something on the car balancing will solve.
Alternatively a wheel weight may have fell off - they are only stuck on.

 
Thanks guys, some excellent info here... I think i'm gone take the plunge and get 2 rear tyres, I have been told to buy Continental Sport Contact N2.. I have found a place in Bradford that sells them online £162 a piece and includes VAT+delivery, lets hope this does the trick [8|]
 
Agreed - I've tried Pirelli, Conti and Michelin and I didn't like the contis at all.

JCB however loves them - so it's not hard and fast...[;)]
 
I'd go michelin pilot sports every time - more expensive but they'll last longer...great grip and feeling both in dry and wet. Only downside is more road noise. Pirellis were awful - didn't last and rubbish in the wet.
 
Well guys, I have fitted the girl with a set of 4 Michelins, and things seem to be better, still have slight vibrations in the seat, which I believe is caused by the rear wheels?? So will get them re-balanced after 100 miles...

I did read on some other posts that it might be worth have a geometric wheel alignment done, any thoughts on this ??

Thanks again for excellent reply's..
 
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