Axle tramp

[Carl.Young]

Pulling from a side junction into fast traffic recently (requiring a pretty determined standing start) I encountered what I can only describe as axle tramp. The cars back end thumped around a bit as the tyres kept losing and then regaining grip. I've just had a 4 wheel alignment done, and the rear lower arms were replaced a few months ago, so they shouldn't really be contibutary factors. It's not the first time I've felt this happen and was wondering if it's common with the Boxster and I'm perhaps expecting too much of the rear suspension? Or should I be asking a man with a spanner to be looking at my backside (oo-er missus) ?

 

[Andrew Killington]

I remember a fairly recent Autocar sports car test where they criticised the 986S for excessive axle tramp whilst figuring 0-60 times
Andrew

 

[Carl.Young]

Hmm. Must admit it was a surprise which is why I asked the question - I thought maybe the shocks/dampers may be off-colour. Either that or someone replaced them with leaf springs [].

 

[NicD]

The only times I have done fast standing starts were at a hill climb track. Even in the dry, with large throttle opening there was significant axle tramp and it was quite hard to come cleanly off the line.

On the road though, even in damp and greasy, tramp never a problem, just some wheel spin from time to time, easily controlled.

 

[ianbanneville]

The Boxster on Top Gear the other night had a huge amount of tramp off the line - I rewound it as I could not believe how much the exhausts were bouncing!

 

[Carl.Young]

I saw that too - a 987 to boot. Wonder if it was fitted with pasm? Still, it's not the biggest problem in the world. As Nic points out it takes a pretty brutal standing start to induce on the road.

 

[GreigM]

Axle Hop (as I would call it) is common on mid-engined cars if giving it a bit too much away from the line , or in very greasy conditions. Isn't too much of a problem on the dry stuff, so just take it easy until the nicer weather sets in []

 

[Boxbrownie]

I have noticed my 2010 3.4S Boxster can also get tramp in certain conditions..........something I have not had on a vehicle since driving a RWD solid axle car.