997 GT3 Creaking front suspension Advice please
Discussion
I seem to be getting a creak at low speed on the N/S suspension. Only happens when I been for a longish drive.
OPC looked at the car briefly and think it maybe the lower control arm. The mechanic didn't seem that positive. Cost fitted £1,150.00
I have came across a few post where people have found its the Bilstein damper that need a reconditioning.
I had my Geo set up by Centre Gravity last June and Chris Franklins name keeps popping up for diagnosing the problem.
Anyone had this problem, as I do not have much faith in the OPC. I have OPC warranty but this is not covered as wear and tear.
Thanks
Darren
OPC looked at the car briefly and think it maybe the lower control arm. The mechanic didn't seem that positive. Cost fitted £1,150.00
I have came across a few post where people have found its the Bilstein damper that need a reconditioning.
I had my Geo set up by Centre Gravity last June and Chris Franklins name keeps popping up for diagnosing the problem.
Anyone had this problem, as I do not have much faith in the OPC. I have OPC warranty but this is not covered as wear and tear.
Thanks
Darren
You can re-grease the coffin arm ball joints (which is the usual cause of creaks as the grease drys out) with a syringe, some appropriate grease and a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon. Well worth a try before replacing stuff as the creak usually occurs well before any significant wear to the joint does.
If that doesn't solve it then the joint may be worn, you can test this by going from lock stop to lock stop, if it squeaks as the joint goes through the last 20 degrees or so of travel (as the nose jacks) then it's more than likely coffin arms. Alternatively if it squeaks on compression with the wheels straight (like over a speed bump for example) it may well be the damper or the top mount.
If that doesn't solve it then the joint may be worn, you can test this by going from lock stop to lock stop, if it squeaks as the joint goes through the last 20 degrees or so of travel (as the nose jacks) then it's more than likely coffin arms. Alternatively if it squeaks on compression with the wheels straight (like over a speed bump for example) it may well be the damper or the top mount.
Hi Darren
This is a relatively well known problem and it's internal to the Bilstein damper (strut). From memory it's a bush that wears and needs to be replaced within the damper assembly. It can be a nightmare to have diagnosed but trust me on this - it will be the dampers (upper bush I seem to recall).
I had it on my 997 GT3 and, after numerous top mount changes (the OPC repair of choice for anything like this!) it was fixed for good with new dampers which, in my case, I managed to get replaced under the Porsche Extended Warranty. But if this isn't an avenue open to you, your dampers can be cost-effectively refurbished and rebuilt by Bisltein. If you're not up for removing them from the car yourself then Chris at CG is the place to go - he ships them off to Bilstein just down the road for refurb and then refits.
I'll see if I can find my old posts on this. (I think they were in the 911uk forum...)
James
Edited to say - email sent with further details
This is a relatively well known problem and it's internal to the Bilstein damper (strut). From memory it's a bush that wears and needs to be replaced within the damper assembly. It can be a nightmare to have diagnosed but trust me on this - it will be the dampers (upper bush I seem to recall).
I had it on my 997 GT3 and, after numerous top mount changes (the OPC repair of choice for anything like this!) it was fixed for good with new dampers which, in my case, I managed to get replaced under the Porsche Extended Warranty. But if this isn't an avenue open to you, your dampers can be cost-effectively refurbished and rebuilt by Bisltein. If you're not up for removing them from the car yourself then Chris at CG is the place to go - he ships them off to Bilstein just down the road for refurb and then refits.
I'll see if I can find my old posts on this. (I think they were in the 911uk forum...)
James
Edited to say - email sent with further details
Edited by short-shift on Monday 29th January 07:34
evodarren said:
I seem to be getting a creak at low speed on the N/S suspension. Only happens when I been for a longish drive.
OPC looked at the car briefly and think it maybe the lower control arm. The mechanic didn't seem that positive. Cost fitted £1,150.00
I have came across a few post where people have found its the Bilstein damper that need a reconditioning.
I had my Geo set up by Centre Gravity last June and Chris Franklins name keeps popping up for diagnosing the problem.
Anyone had this problem, as I do not have much faith in the OPC. I have OPC warranty but this is not covered as wear and tear.
Thanks
Darren
Fill ya boots lad OPC looked at the car briefly and think it maybe the lower control arm. The mechanic didn't seem that positive. Cost fitted £1,150.00
I have came across a few post where people have found its the Bilstein damper that need a reconditioning.
I had my Geo set up by Centre Gravity last June and Chris Franklins name keeps popping up for diagnosing the problem.
Anyone had this problem, as I do not have much faith in the OPC. I have OPC warranty but this is not covered as wear and tear.
Thanks
Darren
Is this the sound? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctK8S8yzxdU&fe...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=13...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15...
v8ksn said:
Fill ya boots lad
Is this the sound? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctK8S8yzxdU&fe...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=13...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15...
The sound is the same, but only happens when done a few miles. Does not do it like the video turning the wheel. Just creaks while going slow after a good run.Is this the sound? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctK8S8yzxdU&fe...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=13...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15...
Many thanks for the links
Slippydiff said:
Damper rod bushes, or
Anti roll bar drop link balljoints, or
Anti roll bar bushes, or
Top mounts, or
Coffin arm inner bushes, or
Coffin arm outer balljoints.
Many only occur after several miles driving has heated the dampers and/or ball joint grease etc up.
best to do it all on a >10 year old GT3 imo ;-) I hate worn parts, ruins the cars but as it wears out over time people only change when broken :-(Anti roll bar drop link balljoints, or
Anti roll bar bushes, or
Top mounts, or
Coffin arm inner bushes, or
Coffin arm outer balljoints.
Many only occur after several miles driving has heated the dampers and/or ball joint grease etc up.
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