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High speed stability concerns

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Hi.

First post to the forum is not a positive as I would have liked, but I would value some sage advice, or if no sages around tonight just a few ordinary mortal thoughts [8|]

I recently bought my first 993 after having a 996 C4S previously. It's a C2 1995 manual, nice example with very full history, 76K miles, and a gloriously sounding sports exhaust and airbox.

I am though concerned about it's handling at speeds over 80 in a straight line, or at least should be as the car is weaving in a most alarming manner. In fact I would say that it has the potential to shift by up to half a lanes width in the blink of an eye. I will be having it checked out at my local OPC (Bolton) soonest, but wondered if anyone has had a similar experience.

The cars history shows that it had a new suspension kit and wishbones fitted at 60,000 miles 20 months ago by Tognola Engineering. Tyres all in good nick runiing on 205/50/17's conti sport contacts on the front and 255/40/17's on the rear. No vibration so balance seems fine. When cornering on B roads the car seems glued to the road with no shake or scuttle.

So that's my problem in a nutshell, any thoughts would be welcome.
 
1st thought would be to have a geometry check, it should be steady as a rock at those speeds

Where are you located - somewhere in the North by the sound of it?

You need to go to someone who has knowledge of 993 suspension and particularly access to the kinematic toe tool specific to 993's - Neinmeister at Warrington might be a better bet than an OPC

Do you know what suspension kit was fitted by Tognola - standard, Porsche sports or third party?

Pete
 
The previous owner said he had the Porsche suspension kit fitted I seem to recall, might give him a ring. Also fitted at the same time were 2 droplinks and 2 wishbones.

9M is a good call, I live in Haslingden about 30 mins from warrington and need to go that way on Wednesday on business.

Cheers
 
Rammy, this is a wild stab in the dark, but might be worth discussing with the garage. Has the car had a new steering rack fitted? I understand these can fail in two main ways (from about 10 years / 60,000 miles) due to slight warping of the "arms" (not the technical term!). Firstly, the seals can just give up and fluid leaks out everywhere (as mine did). The second way is that due to the warping the car can just leap sideways as the warped "arm" moves in jumps/steps rather than moving freely.

I understand this is more pronounced at high speeds. Just a thought for you.
 
I had same alarming problem. Sorted by renewing track rod ends which incorporate hard rubber dampers which degrade over 60-80K).
About £300 fix
 
Was this just encountered on a Motorway?

Is this tramlining within the worn sections of motorways?

I have noticed this with mine (prob not as drastic as you are reporting) and I am running on 18s'.

Full geo check seems in order...sounds like something broke or worn.....track rod ends or drop links???

Please let the forum know how you go on

Good Luck
 
I also thought bushes - mine was like a different car when I had them changed. Plus can I re-iterate - four wheel alignment is essential.
 
So it's bushes or "arms" geo or track rod ends [:D]

I'll give 9M a call in the morning and let you all know how I get on, we could do a sweep stake.

The only suggestion I can rule out is the tramlining, as I am only to well aware of this one having first come across that issue a few years back.

Cheers all.
 
It is good to see the respect being shown to Neinmeister...at 80 mph the car should be steady and just awiting more presuure with the right foot....Peter and marc at N9 will sort it promptly and give you an honest asessment. Do not go to any OPC is my advise.[8|]
 
ORIGINAL: Michael Williams

It is good to see the respect being shown to Neinmeister...at 80 mph the car should be steady and just awiting more presuure with the right foot....Peter and marc at N9 will sort it promptly and give you an honest asessment. Do not go to any OPC is my advise.[8|]
Click to expand...

Freudian slip?

Give it to Colin at 9M. It could be a trillion things. Well, 4 or 5.
 
Just to update, the car will be at 9M on Monday, so should have the resolution soon.

Will be at the Bolton NW Concourse in the morning if anyone else is attending.

Also wanted to give a quick thumbs up to the Wheel Specialist in manchester who had the car on Friday to sort my cup alloys out. They did a stunning job with all 4 wheels shotblasted and resprayed in Porsche Silver for £270! Highly recommended.

 
Sweepstake winner - Shane Hodges [:D]

Verdict - Steering Rack to be removed and reconditioned.

Looking from the underside there is up & down play on the drivers side as the arm slides in and out. This movement allows the right front wheel to move independantly of steering input when not under direct steering load, hence the "not in control" feel in a straight line at high speed.

Result - Car will be sleeping at 9M for 3 weeks and my pocket will be a grand lighter for the experience [:eek:]

Due to travel down to Le Mans on the day I pick the car up, so fingers crossed.

Not the best result, but at least problem has been identified.
 
Heh - heh, what d'ya know - glad you have got it sorted Rammy.

... but for a grande I thought you could have got a new one rather than just a reconditioning of the old one?
 
I got mine reconditioned by a firm in Bristol 3 years ago - £199. Took the rack to them and collected 3 days later. I did all the spannering though. Been excellent ever since.

3 weeks is a very long time imho - guess they must have a lot of work on !!
 
To be fair to 9M they only need a week, but I am away for a week prior to the 11th which is when I need to set off to Le Mans, hence playing it safe and getting the car in early.

The rack will be sent away for the recon, cost approx £350, followed by a geo. Bulk of cost will be labour and then VAT.
 
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