996 suspension issues

996 suspension issues

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skibum

Original Poster:

1,032 posts

237 months

Monday 15th July 2013
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Was out in my 996 C4S on Saturday and going around a long tight right hander that then switches to a tight left (M25 to M11 Junction) when the traction light came on. Nothing untoward about that, but then, when joining the M11 from the slip road, the car seemed to wobble. By that I mean that when I changed lane and straightened up, the car then seemed to wobble side to side. From then on every lane change felt the same - a delayed body roll. It felt a little like the tyre had gone, but I stopped all four were fine.

I had the car MOT'd in March and there was an advisory about worn suspension bushes that would need looking in the medium term. The car then had new rear tyres and geo set up just 3 weeks ago where I was told that they were starting to detach, but were still good for a while yet.

Given all of this, I can only assume that the hard cornering might have been the final hurrah for the bushes and the wobbling/excess body roll that I am experiencing now is a result.

Anyone had similar experiences with knackered 996 suspension?

Hoping to get a bit of an online diagnosis if possible before I take my car to a garage - mainly because I wont have much time in the next 3-4 weeks to do so and will need to use the car in the meantime (2 weekends away visiting friends).

996TT02

3,308 posts

140 months

Monday 15th July 2013
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I can only say that driving any car with detached bushes in the suspension arms is a very bad idea indeed.


petop

2,141 posts

166 months

Monday 15th July 2013
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Im surprised it was only a advisory on the worn bushes. Mine failed and they were only worn but better to be safe i was happy to replace them. Anything that affects handling on a 150mph+ car, default must be to keep in good order at all times.

skibum

Original Poster:

1,032 posts

237 months

Monday 15th July 2013
quotequote all
detached bushes were only a guess. There is no knocking, clonking, crashing sound at all, just the lack of tightness and delayed movement that I mentioned. I guess if the bushes were detached, then I would hear metal on metal clonking over bumps etc?

Hmmm.. might have to make a few calls tomorrow.

NJH

3,021 posts

209 months

Monday 15th July 2013
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Yup.

At the point when the upright with the wheel and hub comes off, soon after you will definitely hear some metal on metal contact.

thegoose

8,075 posts

210 months

Monday 15th July 2013
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Have you checked your wheelnuts/bolts are tight? If tyres were fitted 3 weeks ago then if they weren't torqued up right there's a good chance they've worked a bit loose by now. eek

steveo3002

10,521 posts

174 months

Monday 15th July 2013
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good call on the wheel nuts

id expect if any bush was so worn to cause what you descirbe , it would also clonk alot too

LeighB

3,858 posts

225 months

Monday 15th July 2013
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If its not the loose wheel nuts I would say definitely an issue with the bushes. Were you advised of any in particular as I would suspect, from experience the rear coffin arms will be to blame.

I had an advisory of play in them but didn't fail an MOT. But I had noticed the rear of the car felt loose, even at slow speeds over humps and poor road surfaces, including crossing the lane markings. My tyres were also wearing badly, and very quickly with feathered edges to the tread blocks.

Hope it's just loose nuts for a cheap fix ;-)

was8v

1,937 posts

195 months

Wednesday 17th July 2013
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Check your front wheel bearings. On a 911 they don't tend to grumble like most cars.

Grab the wheel at the top and shake it with your full weight and see if theres any play. If there is some play get under the car and have someone shake the wheel while you feel around at joints for the play. If the play is from the wheel bearing then you will feel it between the caliper and the disk.

Check your top mounts by removing the plastic covers either side of the battery and flicking off the black circular covers. Crouch in the front boot and put your finger in the gap between nut and body and bounce up and down. You will feel like a nutter but if you feel play there they might be on the way out.

Edited by was8v on Wednesday 17th July 09:53

skibum

Original Poster:

1,032 posts

237 months

Wednesday 17th July 2013
quotequote all
Cheers for the replies.

There didnt seem to be any movement in any of the wheels.

However, after speaking with the garage that did the initial work they wanted the car back in asap for a check over. I dropped it off this morning and am hoping for the best.


skibum

Original Poster:

1,032 posts

237 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
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Turns out it was dodgy Geo. Now all been reset and handling like it should - phew.

IknowJoseph

542 posts

140 months

Thursday 30th June 2016
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was8v said:
Check your top mounts by removing the plastic covers either side of the battery and flicking off the black circular covers. Crouch in the front boot and put your finger in the gap between nut and body and bounce up and down. You will feel like a nutter but if you feel play there they might be on the way out.
Long time thread resurrection, but... Has anyone done this top mount check? The black circular covers didn't want to flick off. Before I apply too much brute force can anyone tell me if it's supposed to require small amounts of effort? Thanks.


IknowJoseph

542 posts

140 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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Bump anyone for some 996 fiddling fun? Thanks.

Pugley

687 posts

192 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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The black plastic caps over the top mounts can easily be removed with the help of a flat bladed screwdriver.

The rubber top mount is obscured by a large saucer shaped washer. It you look closely it may be possible to see if the rubber is cracked around the circumference. Its should be firm and crack free. My 996 turbo top mounts were completely shagged at 60K miles.