Suspension, steering.....

[MonkeyRacing]

Now what to do next, have had fitted new shock inserts at the front & AVO adjustables on the rear (currently on their stiffest setting), replacement non-assisted steering rack but the car still needs a firm hand to keep pointing straight. Not had a wheel alignment check done as yet, will it make a huge difference?

The damping feels fine if giving it some stick but the car is just hard work to drive.

Also noticed an intermittent knocking from the nearside front corner, any ideas?

I've spent quite a bit on the car since purchase what with servicing, belt changes & reluctant to throw a lot more at it but what would you do? Love the car to bits but would like to improve the driving experience......... thoughts anyone, what would you do?

Cheers
Si

 

[Neil Haughey]

The knock could just be a slight amount of slack in the wheel bearing. I found this after fitting KLA speherical bearing top mounts and strut brace. The knock dissapears once some heat has built up in the hubs. It could of course be something that is an actual problem.

 

[Neil Haughey]

Should also add that after fitting the above stuff the car became much more sensitive to camber setting. I bought a camber /caster gauge for 30 quid from Sealey and used that to balance out the camber. Now the car tracks fine and doesn't tug about on the road.

 

[MonkeyRacing]

Thanks Neil. Had new bearings on all 4 corners late last year and would say the knocking has appeared in the last 500 miles. Trackrod end maybe?

 

[MonkeyRacing]

I'm thinking therefore a wheel alignment check might be well worth doing.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: MonkeyRacing
the car still needs a firm hand to keep pointing straight. Not had a wheel alignment check done as yet, will it make a huge difference?

Definately get it realigned. Changing the shocks disturbs all the settings so the wheels could be pointing anywhere [&:]

 

[MonkeyRacing]

Thanks Paul, know what i'm doing Saturday morning now. I'll report back the results.

 

[JM1962]

It could be caused by the front lower suspension arm ball joint or bushes. If theres a knocking the ball joint (about a tenner for your car) is a prime suspect or maybe somethings loose after the work thats been done. If you have replaced the rack, you definately need the alignment checked. What size tyres are you running at the front, too wide and they can make the car tramline like a b*****d.

 

[MonkeyRacing]

205/55 x 16 which i believe we're an option at the time or has someone along the way stuck a set of 911 rims on it! I think they're 7" wide, they are quite dished. It's a bit evil on those ruts caused by the big wagons on the motorway, my grip certainly tightens on the wheel.

I have had the garage check the steering since as i thought there was a problem. They reported back everything tight. I can't actually feel the knock through the steering it's just the an intermittent knock when the cars travelling in any direction even on a smooth surface.

 

[JM1962]

205's should be no problem, I went from 205's to 225's when I got some second hand cup 2's and it has caused tramlining. If tramlining is your problem, then a possible cure is the rear bush on the lower suspension arm if its old and has too much play in it, or the ball joint. Either are cheap and easy to replace.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: MonkeyRacing
I can't actually feel the knock through the steering it's just the an intermittent knock when the cars travelling in any direction even on a smooth surface.

Sounds like the balljoint to me...

 

[MonkeyRacing]

In that case should i get the balljoints/bushes checked out before getting the alignment done?

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: MonkeyRacing

In that case should i get the balljoints/bushes checked out before getting the alignment done?

Yes, because replacing them may affect the alignment.

If you do any work on the suspension (replacing bushes, shocks, springs, whatever) then alignment should be the last thing on the list to do. I have never had it done, but it is meant to make a massive difference to the on-the-road feel of the car.

I'm planning a full suspension refresh on mine, and will have it 4-wheel aligned when it is done.

Hope you track your knocking problem OK.


Oli.

 

[MonkeyRacing]

Just a quick thankyou to everyone thats responded. Not only useful info but speedy replies. Car booked in next week followed by the alignment check. Hopefully the car will be transformed, can't wait! I know theres a wonderful handling car lurking just beneath the surface.

Happy Porsche motoring to you all!
Simon

 

[Neil Haughey]

Just make sure it is a place that can do true 4 wheel alignment. My local garage said they do 4 wheel laser alignment so I asked if they could measure thrust angle etc. and they said no, basically they couldn't actually do all 4 wheels for toe camber either. If the rear end needs aligning you could spend for ever and a day fiddling with the front and the car will never feel right. Some of the Porsche specialists have the necesarry rig and places like Micheldever tyres apparently are very good at adjusting Porsche's. What I have found though is that once the basic setup is done you can adjust toe and camber on the front with pretty simple tools and get away with it.

 

[John Sims]

Set up properly with good suspension the 944 handles superbly - but it does need setting up well.

GWR did a fantastic job on Beaky for me (as they should have done for the money) It feels like a completely different car.

They are very sensitive to set up and, if done wrongly they will feel strange and eat tyres like they were going out of fashion.

 

[MonkeyRacing]

...... well fingers crossed that by the end of the weekend she's transformed.

 

[MonkeyRacing]

Well the verdict is they can't find any noticeable wear or play in anything! On initial test drive they thought possibly a suspension top mount but on closer inspection, no problem. The only thing they found was some early signs of aging in the rear wishbone bushes & a very slight amount of play in a rear wheel bearing (all 4 we're replaced November last year). The garage are well established & have an ex-Porsche technician on their books so should know what they're talking about. They are of the opinion that the wheel alignment could make a considerable difference but doesn't explain the mystery knocking. I'm thinking a second opinion is required!

Simon.