Creaky noise in front suspension
Discussion
Help! I have a noise and it's driving my potty.
The front drivers side of my 987.1 PASM equipped Cayman developed a creaky groany noise during slow speed maneuvers like parking, particularly when turning the wheel quite far and especially when it had been driven for a while. In time a clunk has also developed as the wheel turns - this isn't an Ackermann clunk, this is specific to the drivers side components.
In trying to chase this I've replaced all the bushes, the drivers side suspension top mount, and the arb drop links. Still there! I've checked the springs they seem fine - no obvious cracks or wear.
What else could it be? It's the slow speed, clunk and warm nature of that really has me puzzled.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
The front drivers side of my 987.1 PASM equipped Cayman developed a creaky groany noise during slow speed maneuvers like parking, particularly when turning the wheel quite far and especially when it had been driven for a while. In time a clunk has also developed as the wheel turns - this isn't an Ackermann clunk, this is specific to the drivers side components.
In trying to chase this I've replaced all the bushes, the drivers side suspension top mount, and the arb drop links. Still there! I've checked the springs they seem fine - no obvious cracks or wear.
What else could it be? It's the slow speed, clunk and warm nature of that really has me puzzled.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
If you're sat stationary and turning the wheel from lock to lock makes a creaking sound like the wooden wheel on a 19th century pirate ship (or how I imagine it'd sound) then it's most likely the strut mount bearings. They really don't seem to last long (I get around 30K out of them on a 987.2). If you get some silicon spray and liberally spray it onto the bearing area (if you can fit it above the wheel to the top of the strut) and a few turns of the wheel the noise goes away, then that's what it'll be.
As for clunking, I suspect if it's badly worn it could clunk but for me it was only ever creaking.
As for clunking, I suspect if it's badly worn it could clunk but for me it was only ever creaking.
Oddly enough, I had exactly the same situation on my 2012 Panamera. The noises were replicated in front of the mechanic at Porsche West London and despite spending four days trying to work out what it was (under warranty) they couldn't and said the noise would probably have to get worse before they could identify it. Needless to say, I wasn't happy but given I was about to trade it in, I didn't put up too much fuss. I don't know how the Porsche AUC warranty pays out to dealers but I am, slightly cynical about the work ever having taken place. I had also had all the bushes replaced and numerous other suspension parts replaced under warranty.
Sorry this doesn't help but you might find it comforting to know this seems to be a Porsche characteristic!
Sorry this doesn't help but you might find it comforting to know this seems to be a Porsche characteristic!
Been through this on the same car as you & I'm back experiencing it again!
Loud clonk on turning led me to three separate Porsche indies, all of whom sucked their teeth & charged me an hours labour before sending me on my way with my clonk. I subsequently had an MOT which gave an advisory of play in the tuning fork bush, so that convinced me to so the following:
Replaced:
Tuning forks
Coffin arms
Drop links
ARB bushes
Strut mounts
Track rod ends.
Still clunking. by now, I was thinking steering rack/set the thing on fire. As a last resort, I spoke to Center Gravity, I forget the chap's name, but he chatted for an hour or so going through the various options & giving me the benefit of his experience for free before mentioning how many people replace Porsche's rubbish batteries & the new ones often don't clip in like OEM ones do & they shift from side to side when cornering, creating a clunk that sounds for the world like it's coming from the front suspension. Guess what mine turned out to be?
Loud clonk on turning led me to three separate Porsche indies, all of whom sucked their teeth & charged me an hours labour before sending me on my way with my clonk. I subsequently had an MOT which gave an advisory of play in the tuning fork bush, so that convinced me to so the following:
Replaced:
Tuning forks
Coffin arms
Drop links
ARB bushes
Strut mounts
Track rod ends.
Still clunking. by now, I was thinking steering rack/set the thing on fire. As a last resort, I spoke to Center Gravity, I forget the chap's name, but he chatted for an hour or so going through the various options & giving me the benefit of his experience for free before mentioning how many people replace Porsche's rubbish batteries & the new ones often don't clip in like OEM ones do & they shift from side to side when cornering, creating a clunk that sounds for the world like it's coming from the front suspension. Guess what mine turned out to be?
I used a bit of stiff foam material to wedge it in. Cured it there & then, I would never have thought of that without Pete (I think) at CG suggesting it.
Now though, I have a pothole related clonking that I can't quite pin down. One minute it seems to be the n/s front, then the o/s rear so I'm wondering if it's in the suspension at all. Had all the wheels off for a visual inspection, can't see anything hanging off the car, so next stop the pry bar & if necessary, the under trays off. I've ruled out the engine mount & broken springs, but nothing else.
Now though, I have a pothole related clonking that I can't quite pin down. One minute it seems to be the n/s front, then the o/s rear so I'm wondering if it's in the suspension at all. Had all the wheels off for a visual inspection, can't see anything hanging off the car, so next stop the pry bar & if necessary, the under trays off. I've ruled out the engine mount & broken springs, but nothing else.
Brilliant, thanks for the ideas.
The noise doesn't change whether the brakes are applied or not so I've happily ruled them out.
I will be so happy if it is the battery, but equally, pretty gutted I've spend around a grand doing needless things to 'fix' it! First thing I'll try when I get home tonight. Will let you know.
The noise doesn't change whether the brakes are applied or not so I've happily ruled them out.
I will be so happy if it is the battery, but equally, pretty gutted I've spend around a grand doing needless things to 'fix' it! First thing I'll try when I get home tonight. Will let you know.
I've been looking at this for mine and this post - 4th reply down from Demort is how I plan on checking what is clunking on mine - HTH
http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?p=1338670#1338670
http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?p=1338670#1338670
Had this on my 997 GT2. Took 9 months to get rid of it, replaced bushes, top mount etc. It was the damper.
It was a creaking noise that only appeared when the car's warmed up, at slow speeds when weight shifts around the car you can hear it groaning.
The nearside on mine has just started it now.
It was a creaking noise that only appeared when the car's warmed up, at slow speeds when weight shifts around the car you can hear it groaning.
The nearside on mine has just started it now.
I've just checked and wedged the battery and gone out for a test. It isn't that 
I can feel the clunk through the steering as the steering wheel turns from one extreme to the other. It is quite a sharp 'crack' as well as a clunk. As I said, this isn't Ackerman jumps, this is something else.
The groans and creaks come after a few miles of driving and are only heard when driving slow - pitching on the brakes, parking - where the clunks from turning the wheel join in. Embarrassing when pulling up somewhere.
I can feel the clunk through the steering as the steering wheel turns from one extreme to the other. It is quite a sharp 'crack' as well as a clunk. As I said, this isn't Ackerman jumps, this is something else.
The groans and creaks come after a few miles of driving and are only heard when driving slow - pitching on the brakes, parking - where the clunks from turning the wheel join in. Embarrassing when pulling up somewhere.
Here's a guy who found a creaking coffin arm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWbxhZzVd8M
In respect of your clunk, have you checked the track rod ends? I'd be jacking the front wheels & feeling for lateral play in each wheel to rule that out. Feeling your pain. Mine's banging like a outhouse door in the wind right now. I've sussed it's front n/s, no idea what's causing it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWbxhZzVd8M
In respect of your clunk, have you checked the track rod ends? I'd be jacking the front wheels & feeling for lateral play in each wheel to rule that out. Feeling your pain. Mine's banging like a outhouse door in the wind right now. I've sussed it's front n/s, no idea what's causing it.
Edited by Eddie Strohacker on Wednesday 6th September 19:34
Rosco, did you get your car sorted in the end ?
This thread prompted me to have another look at mine. Symptoms were a rubbery creaking noise over small bumps when the car was hot - in the winter it would only do it after a decent run, but in the summer it would do it almost constantly.
Suspension arms, drop link & top mounts had already been done. It wasn't the battery, as suggested here, so I moved on to replace the track rods (inner & outer) and front ARB bushes and it seems to have cured it
I did both at the same time so can't be sure which it was but I suspect it was the ARB bushes. The cheapest, simplest part. I should have done them six years ago...
This thread prompted me to have another look at mine. Symptoms were a rubbery creaking noise over small bumps when the car was hot - in the winter it would only do it after a decent run, but in the summer it would do it almost constantly.
Suspension arms, drop link & top mounts had already been done. It wasn't the battery, as suggested here, so I moved on to replace the track rods (inner & outer) and front ARB bushes and it seems to have cured it
I did both at the same time so can't be sure which it was but I suspect it was the ARB bushes. The cheapest, simplest part. I should have done them six years ago...
Not quite sorted yet but I have isolated one of the issues - the creak is coming from No. 6 in the attached image. The issue is that I have put Powerflex bushes in the two other bushes! I am going to inject grease into the bush - I think that will stop the creak.
http://www.design911.co.uk/uploads/diagrams/401-00...
I still have a clunk when I turn the wheel at full extension. I'm going to grease the run on the top of the strut to see if that helps.
http://www.design911.co.uk/uploads/diagrams/401-00...
I still have a clunk when I turn the wheel at full extension. I'm going to grease the run on the top of the strut to see if that helps.
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