Common 996 Problems .........
Discussion
I've just sold my Boxster and bought a fully loaded 1998 996 with 24k miles, which I'm very pleased with in general except for the following :-
1) Notchy gear change especially when cold.
2) Persistent squeek from front suspension, I think the lower wishbone balljoint is shot, same thing happened to my Boxster (IS THIS COMMON ???)
It's back with the dealer today to have them check it out, but I was wondreing if anybody out there has experienced similar problems, and any other common problems I should be looking out for.
Cheers,
22/11/71
1) Notchy gear change especially when cold.
2) Persistent squeek from front suspension, I think the lower wishbone balljoint is shot, same thing happened to my Boxster (IS THIS COMMON ???)
It's back with the dealer today to have them check it out, but I was wondreing if anybody out there has experienced similar problems, and any other common problems I should be looking out for.
Cheers,
22/11/71
Just sold my 996,,but never had any probs..I have friends who have had them since '97 and I haven't heard of these problems.Usually it is problems with trim & build on early cars...What is the mileage? If it is not too high,I hope it hasn't had a knock or aggresive kerbing to cause the suspension noise..You may want to check ehen an alignment was last done, as it may handle less well than you hoped for.
22/11/71 said:
It might be my imagination, but it does feel a little floaty at the front at high speed on the twisty stuff.
456mgt had a similar problem with his 996 when he bought it. However a full geometry check and adjustments by a porsche specialists made the car handle how he expected it to be.
Although pricey a geometry check may sort the handling out and save you a fortune in tyres.
Problem discussed.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=30862&f=48&h=0
Problem cured.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=32106&f=48&h=0
DAZ
Eidted to add links.
>> Edited by dazren (moderator) on Wednesday 11th June 10:20
I've just sold my Boxster and bought a fully loaded 1998 996 with 24k miles, which I'm very pleased with in general except for the following :-
1) Notchy gear change especially when cold.
2) Persistent squeek from front suspension, I think the lower wishbone balljoint is shot, same thing happened to my Boxster (IS THIS COMMON ???)
It's back with the dealer today to have them check it out, but I was wondreing if anybody out there has experienced similar problems, and any other common problems I should be looking out for.
Cheers,
22/11/71
Snap! Except that mine had 28K on it when I got it ca. 6 months ago. Now close to 33K miles and apart from the handling thing that Daz quoted, and a replacement battery, has been trouble free. To my eyes, an early 996 is basically a Boxster with a roof, so I would expect the issues to be similar. A few rattles from the trim, but this car was the right price, the colour scheme I wanted and has a massive spec. Gear change is a tad recalcitrant when cold, but at least you *can* pull 2nd from cold (small Ferrari joke. Really, very small). One thing I have noticed is a slight (0.1 sec), and occasional, hesitation at 4K as the VarioCam kicks in. Don't know if this is normal, and at any other rpm I'd suspect the HT leads.
According to Domster, font of wisdom, his Porsche techs do the teeth sucking thing with early 996s, so there are lots of other things presumably. IIRC, the other mod Dom suggested was to get your sphincter tightened which apparently improves the handling no end.... BTW, what's with this 'Porsche techs' thing? Sounds suspiciously like an unnatural relationship with your car mechanic
All the 911's/Boxters I have driven have a slightly notchy gearbox, particularly when cold. I ran a 98 C2 for a couple of years, got it at 7 months old. It was very reliable only two problems (aside from rattles etc) the rear main oil seal went 2-3 times, apparently this was an initial design fault & when they fitted the "modified" seal design, all was well. it is worth checking whether yours has been modified whilst it is still fresh from the dealer. The parts are cheap the labour isn't!!!! the only other thing that went wrong was the clutch, which they did under warranty, another thing early cars were prone too, but by now yours will either be one of the ok clutches or will have been replaced. Never had a problem with the suspension,certainly no squeaks the only thing I would recommend is the 10mm lower sports suspension, although this makes the ride slighly harder the handling is far less floaty & makes the Porker much more of a drivers car. the other thing I HATED was the standard stereo, if you haven't got the sound pack, sppend some money & upgrade the system,a few hundred pounds will transform it !!!
Relationship with porsche tech is purely platonic and non financial 
But he is one of the few mechanics I now count as a mate, and who I'd be prepared to entrust my car to.
Only mention his services as I'm impressed! When I start taking commission I'll declare it in 'member's interests'
Relationship with badgers is also platonic. Based on mutual fear and distrust I suspect. I am trying to visit them less these days
But he is one of the few mechanics I now count as a mate, and who I'd be prepared to entrust my car to. Only mention his services as I'm impressed! When I start taking commission I'll declare it in 'member's interests'
Relationship with badgers is also platonic. Based on mutual fear and distrust I suspect. I am trying to visit them less these days
Sounds great 22/11 the sports chassis certainly makes for a better drivers car, if you have the stereo upgrade (although didn't think Bose was available in 98!) all you need now is the Porsche sports exhaust, it's the final addition to maximise driver & car interaction. Having said this if you have only just got it, enjoy the standard exhaust & add the sports system once you start looking for add on's. Enjoy the car, sounds nice.
My OPC made a half hearted attempt to solve the persistent and loud front end squeek/creak by lubricating all the bushes and joints, but it didn't make the slightest bit of difference.
I took the front wheel off last night and traced the noise to the lower wishbone to hub ball joint, which cannot be replaced without renewing the whole wishbone. I carefully prised back the rubber boot with a small blunt screwdriver and squirted it full of spray liquid grease.
BINGO.... no more squeeks.
This must have happened to someone else out there, as I had the same noise on my Boxster, but by the time it was investigated the joint was dry and was shot, which entailed the wishbone replacement, circa £500.
Be warned.
22/11/71 said:
My OPC made a half hearted attempt to solve the persistent and loud front end squeek/creak by lubricating all the bushes and joints, but it didn't make the slightest bit of difference.
I took the front wheel off last night and traced the noise to the lower wishbone to hub ball joint, which cannot be replaced without renewing the whole wishbone. I carefully prised back the rubber boot with a small blunt screwdriver and squirted it full of spray liquid grease.
BINGO.... no more squeeks.
This must have happened to someone else out there, as I had the same noise on my Boxster, but by the time it was investigated the joint was dry and was shot, which entailed the wishbone replacement, circa £500.
...same problem on my 996 a few months back! Fixed now. Lubricating the joints is just a short term solution unfortunately. Caused by water ingress into the ball joints. You WILL need the wishbone replaced in due course. Common design flaw in the 996 - per Steve at JZ.
And its back again, as predicted onmy '98 C2 996. Had a week squeak free. Will have to do the wishbone / ball joint, everything else tried. If i was doing this, would it be a good time to lower the suspension..which do the guys think..bilsteins? and how low. I like a harder suspension and the better handling, but don't want to spend my time reversing over humps / kerbs..so wonder how far down i could go?
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