I've just bought some poverty Pork…
Discussion
Hi all,
Nothing to do with the buying or selling of poverty spec Porsches ... but there's plenty of knowledge here, so hope some of you might be able to help me with keeping my poor man's Porsche in top condition.
The car is a 2001 986S. Owned it a little over 2 years now as my only car. Cost me £5,100 and had about 100k on the clock. Thanks to lockdown and general covid related things, I only did 1400 miles between MOTs this year, with the car often being sat for 2-3 weeks at a time due to working from home.
In the last few weeks, I've noticed a hollow clonk from the front suspension (right hand side I believe). It's most noticeable at low speeds - sub 30mph - going over smaller imperfections in the road surface. It doesn't get any worse (louder or more frequent) when going over larger obstacles - such as speed bumps. Once up to a decent speed - about over 45mph - you can't hear the noise. Unsure if it's stopped, or just drowned out by the increased road noise. It feels like it stops, but I couldn't swear to it.
If it's any relevance at all, the car recently flew through an MOT without so much as an advisory. This was after I first started hearing the noise.
I try and do all my own work on cars if at all possible. For that reason, unless it's a safety critical issue, I'll probably wait until spring and warmer/drier weather to do it. But a head start on trouble shooting what it is, and where to buy the parts to fix it, would be very helpful. If you need any more information to help you diagnose, then just ask and I'll do what I can to answer. I'm a reasonably competent home mechanic, but had no formal training at all.
Over to you guys!
Nothing to do with the buying or selling of poverty spec Porsches ... but there's plenty of knowledge here, so hope some of you might be able to help me with keeping my poor man's Porsche in top condition.
The car is a 2001 986S. Owned it a little over 2 years now as my only car. Cost me £5,100 and had about 100k on the clock. Thanks to lockdown and general covid related things, I only did 1400 miles between MOTs this year, with the car often being sat for 2-3 weeks at a time due to working from home.
In the last few weeks, I've noticed a hollow clonk from the front suspension (right hand side I believe). It's most noticeable at low speeds - sub 30mph - going over smaller imperfections in the road surface. It doesn't get any worse (louder or more frequent) when going over larger obstacles - such as speed bumps. Once up to a decent speed - about over 45mph - you can't hear the noise. Unsure if it's stopped, or just drowned out by the increased road noise. It feels like it stops, but I couldn't swear to it.
If it's any relevance at all, the car recently flew through an MOT without so much as an advisory. This was after I first started hearing the noise.
I try and do all my own work on cars if at all possible. For that reason, unless it's a safety critical issue, I'll probably wait until spring and warmer/drier weather to do it. But a head start on trouble shooting what it is, and where to buy the parts to fix it, would be very helpful. If you need any more information to help you diagnose, then just ask and I'll do what I can to answer. I'm a reasonably competent home mechanic, but had no formal training at all.
Over to you guys!
At the front you've got the coffin arm(wishbone), the top mount (not shown here) the control arm, the anti roll bar itself and the anti roll bar droplink.
It'll be one of those. ARB droplink is likely, and also the cheapest and easiest (although they are prone to seize into the hub at the top).
You need to get under, and check visually, but thats unlikely to give clues. Then get a bar on the bits and start lever, look for play, feel and listen for knocking etc.
HOWEVER - Your car has 100k on the clock. Although its highly likey that its had some bits changed over the years, its more than likely getting ready for a proper comprehensive suspension refresh of some sort.
Forget the MOT - its not that relevant. Parts can be waaaay past their best before they'll get picked up on an MOT.
The reason I say this is its very very easy to go down a slippery slope of piece mealing new bits onto your car, either yourself or at a garage, and then 3 months later your doing the opposite wishbone. And then 2 months later you do the top mounts and take it all out again.
And then a rear spring snaps. And then the front left starts knocking... Each of which takes a lot of labour, and for the majority of these components you are going to need an wheel alignment (£100 min?) afterwards... it starts to add up.
Think very carefully if this cars a keeper or whether you want to make it 'right' and do it well.
For what its worth - I took a 986 Boxster that was on 120k and had ostensibly no issues or problems, and did a full front to back suspension refresh on the drive, DIY for about £1500 (prices will have gone up a bit since then). The difference was remarkable.
It'll be one of those. ARB droplink is likely, and also the cheapest and easiest (although they are prone to seize into the hub at the top).
You need to get under, and check visually, but thats unlikely to give clues. Then get a bar on the bits and start lever, look for play, feel and listen for knocking etc.
HOWEVER - Your car has 100k on the clock. Although its highly likey that its had some bits changed over the years, its more than likely getting ready for a proper comprehensive suspension refresh of some sort.
Forget the MOT - its not that relevant. Parts can be waaaay past their best before they'll get picked up on an MOT.
The reason I say this is its very very easy to go down a slippery slope of piece mealing new bits onto your car, either yourself or at a garage, and then 3 months later your doing the opposite wishbone. And then 2 months later you do the top mounts and take it all out again.
And then a rear spring snaps. And then the front left starts knocking... Each of which takes a lot of labour, and for the majority of these components you are going to need an wheel alignment (£100 min?) afterwards... it starts to add up.
Think very carefully if this cars a keeper or whether you want to make it 'right' and do it well.
For what its worth - I took a 986 Boxster that was on 120k and had ostensibly no issues or problems, and did a full front to back suspension refresh on the drive, DIY for about £1500 (prices will have gone up a bit since then). The difference was remarkable.
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 18th November 14:11
My guess would be an ARB drop link. Certainly on a 987 and I think the same applies to the 986 as they are largely the same setup.
Parts are cheap (£20/corner or so). But they can be a major, major pain to fit if the old ones won't come out.
ETA: Others have beaten me to it (gosh this thread moves quickly!)
Heed Snotrag's wisdom. He speaks sense.
Parts are cheap (£20/corner or so). But they can be a major, major pain to fit if the old ones won't come out.
ETA: Others have beaten me to it (gosh this thread moves quickly!)
Heed Snotrag's wisdom. He speaks sense.
Thanks guys.
I did the rear ARB drop links prior to this MOT, as one of them was an advisory on last year's MOT. That was a pretty smooth job (once I realised I couldn't get my whizzy gun on the top bolt with the wheels on), so I'd hope the fronts wouldn't be any worse.
As for a full suspension refresh, it has been on my mind. The car is likely a keeper - I can't think of anything else that would be better for similar money.
I'll probably wait until the weather picks up, then try the drop links first, as a nice cheap fix, and if that doesn't work, look to do a front end full refresh.
I did the rear ARB drop links prior to this MOT, as one of them was an advisory on last year's MOT. That was a pretty smooth job (once I realised I couldn't get my whizzy gun on the top bolt with the wheels on), so I'd hope the fronts wouldn't be any worse.
As for a full suspension refresh, it has been on my mind. The car is likely a keeper - I can't think of anything else that would be better for similar money.
I'll probably wait until the weather picks up, then try the drop links first, as a nice cheap fix, and if that doesn't work, look to do a front end full refresh.
I have done exactly this process on my 986. Was knocking badly at low speed, slowly did a couple of bits, (roll bar bushes & drop links with little improvement.)
Bit the bullet and did the whole lot, including springs and dampers, arms etc and it has transformed it. No more knocking and the steering is so much more precise. Lot nicer to drive.
Does mean you now hear different rattle and squeaks though, I do think i'll be chasing those for years, joys of living in Sussex country side where some roads are ridiculously badly kept.
Bit the bullet and did the whole lot, including springs and dampers, arms etc and it has transformed it. No more knocking and the steering is so much more precise. Lot nicer to drive.
Does mean you now hear different rattle and squeaks though, I do think i'll be chasing those for years, joys of living in Sussex country side where some roads are ridiculously badly kept.
austin said:
I have done exactly this process on my 986. Was knocking badly at low speed, slowly did a couple of bits, (roll bar bushes & drop links with little improvement.)
Bit the bullet and did the whole lot, including springs and dampers, arms etc and it has transformed it. No more knocking and the steering is so much more precise. Lot nicer to drive.
Does mean you now hear different rattle and squeaks though, I do think i'll be chasing those for years, joys of living in Sussex country side where some roads are ridiculously badly kept.
Squeaks and Rattles dont bother me too much. I've got my hardtop on now and this is a first for me. There is a constant chitter chatter of moaning and groaning from all the touch points.Bit the bullet and did the whole lot, including springs and dampers, arms etc and it has transformed it. No more knocking and the steering is so much more precise. Lot nicer to drive.
Does mean you now hear different rattle and squeaks though, I do think i'll be chasing those for years, joys of living in Sussex country side where some roads are ridiculously badly kept.
My 996 was fitted with new M030 suspension 800 miles before I bought it (standard previously) and has gained many more rattles in the front over the last 10 thousand miles. I think this has had a greater effect than going from 122k to 132k.
Despite significant weight removal from the rear the panels remain silent. I bought new clips before removing them, 84p each from OPC, so I think this has helped, despite them not having the foam backing. I do think the disintegration of the foam backing, plus old clips, is what leads to a lot of the noise.
Despite significant weight removal from the rear the panels remain silent. I bought new clips before removing them, 84p each from OPC, so I think this has helped, despite them not having the foam backing. I do think the disintegration of the foam backing, plus old clips, is what leads to a lot of the noise.
Escy said:
It's a common issue, you can buy replacement buttons for £80.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-switches-fo...
Have a look on AliExpress and you can pick up a set for a lot less than that, ~£30ish. They're made of an improved material too so won't have the same sticky rubber / delamination issue. AliExpress also do a nice line in centre wheel caps at a fraction of the price - you just have to put a bit of effort in tracking them down as they don't show the logos...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-switches-fo...
Edited by markhaines on Tuesday 23 November 10:00
Escy said:
It's a common issue, you can buy replacement buttons for £80.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-switches-fo...
Have a look on AliExpress and you can pick up a set for a lot less than that, ~£30ish. They're made of an improved material too so won't have the same sticky rubber / delamination issue. AliExpress also do a nice line in centre wheel caps at a fraction of the price - you just have to put a bit of effort in tracking them down as they don't show the logos...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-switches-fo...
Edited by markhaines on Tuesday 23 November 10:00
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff