Noisy front suspension

[Crazeemann]

Please could anyone tell me if they've had any issues with the front suspension?

We have had both lower suspension arms replaced, seemed to temporarily sort the problem. But then the noise came back.

Sounds like creaking/clunking noise and - very strange - ONLY does it when the front of the car is warm, ie, when the car has been sat in the sunshine or when the car has been in use for a while.

Its a 1999 T-reg Boxster 2.5(one of the original ones)

Any help would be gratefully received.

 

[Black80XSA]

Anti roll bar bushes / clamps ??

 

[Crazeemann]

Thanks, but was hoping that someone else may have had similar problems?

 

[tim court]

clonking could be a number of issues but there are a number of control arms at the front with bushes that do wear out.

Putting it on jacks and pulling stuff about doesn't help because of the weight of the assembly drops and tightens it all up.

Take it to a good local indie.

 

[jcorallo]

On page 99 (illustration 401-00) of:

https://techinfo.porsche.com/techinfo/pdf/en/catalogues/E_986_KATALOG.pdf

...look at item 3 in the pic: Control arm part number 996 341 043 03

The ball joint on these clonks when warm and is most noticeable when travelling slowly over rippled surfaces such as concrete roads.

Same problem with the rear ones, see page 119 (illustration 501-00), item 8 in the pic, Control Arm part number 986 331 043 04

They make a right racket if they are worn, and like you say, only on hot days or after a long drive.

Note: those part numbers above are the original part numbers "" they have actually both been superseded by upgraded parts which have a slightly higher part number in each case.
Jules

 

[Crazeemann]

Thank you very much for the advice - we have it booked in at an indy tommorrow - last time we toook it to a so-called Porsche specialist in leeds - callled Strasse - they couldnt find the problem. Think they fobbed us off with the lower suspension arm replacement, i think it was the control arm all along as you mentioned!

£500 down the pan! - well at least they are both new parts on the front of the car now.

 

[jcorallo]

It' very difficult to diagnose this particular part. I think its because of the location of the ball joint that wears - its not easy to see wear / movement there when looking. Also that its worse when warm/hot so thats the best time to look for it!

I replaced my rears which cured my rattle. They were so loud (when warm / hot) that pedestrians used to stop and turn round as I approached down our road (rippled concrete surface) to see what the racket was. Yet the car passed its MOT with them like that which I could not understand. With the old parts in hand on the bench, the ball joints were tight and showed no obvious signs of wear.

Jules

 

[mic]

Hi reading your post reminded me of an issue I had back in 2006. http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=220926&mpage=1&key=&#221704

Mic

 

[Crazeemann]

Thanks for the help with this one guys, however NO garage seems to be able to find a problem. apparently the lower suspension arms ARE the ball joints(as mentioned by jcorallo) and have both been replaced with genuine new porsche parts.

I nmy opinion, although my wife disagrees with me, i think its the plastic under shielding rattling at low speeds. I have found one broken part on the panelling so far, but can only look so far without a ramp. Dont really want to trolley jack it up as dont want to cause any more damage.

Anyone else had issues with plastic under body pannelling?

Also - on sunday we had an issue with the battery. I stalled it - yes, i'm useless, but i dont drive it very often i usally drive a Focus - and then it just would not re-start NO engine crank or anything. So we had to call out for recovery and it turned out that the battery had just lost charge, got a jump start and that has cured the issue. VERY strange.

ps. would just like to say that some members fo the general public really helped with our plight by driving past hollering and shouting - can only assume they were jealous of teh boxster.

pps. at least other boxster owners stopped to see if they could help - which they couldnt as no-one seemd to know what was wrong apart from teh recovery driver.