Strange noises re: suspension? DANGER! READ!

[brockster]

Hi guys, as some know I got my JICs finally on. Here is a story of the strange thud - clunk that progressivley got louder until very noticeable even outside the car.....

At first the sound was only minor when going over a curb or something that would chage the A arm geometry in the rear (sound always came from rear of car).

I put the coilovers on and HS it was ridiculous! I drove it fairly hard thinking it was the sway bar/drop links and felt great due to the JIC but something still wasnt right....felt unesy in high speed sweepers.....

Me and a friend took the sway bar off, still had sound. Took strut tower brace off inside rear...still remained. As I was putting it all back thinking that I would have to have my Porsche Tech diagnose this I noticed that one of the subframe braces was loose....finger loose! I could actually see air between the two pieces!

I tightened all of those braces again and actualloy each side was loose! This is the brace that attaches the body and rear subframe assembly....its at an angle starting in front of rear tire and ending at about the A arm area. They are the only angled straight braces there....

The difference is stunning! My car will actually lift the inner tire off the ground in 90 degree hard corners........Unbelievable!

I think that this can really effect handling and safety so it my 2 cents!

[robertp]

can you show us some pictures of the area you are talking about?

[brockster]

Sure thing! I am trying to get my dig camera up and running now. I will post asap!

[996TT_STEVO]

This will be interesting

[adam699]

Be careful reusing these bolts. A porsche tech told me that any bolt that attaches the frame to the body is torque to yield and has to be replaced everythime that it's loosened up.

[Mikelly]

Adam is correct... What I'd recommend is heading down to your local Fastenal with your bolts and get replacements in grade 8 or metric 8.8 or higher.

Mike

[torresmd]

Please post pics so we can see exactly what you are talking about.

[brockster]

Hey guys! Roger that on the bolts! Makes sense. I will get the pics out soon....been busy with work!

I may just find a pic on 6 speed of someones car and put arrows in on the problem bolts...

[SXN]

interested in the pics also

[str8spd2001]

Same here...like to see what bolt this is. Thanx for the heads up.

[ExclusiveTT]

Originally Posted by robertp

can you show us some pictures of the area you are talking about?

+1

OP, THANKS for the heads up! It seems like a bunch of use with aftermarket suspension are hearing some weird noises.

[Al Norton]

Would a dealer know the strength grade of the Porsche bolts in question? It's always best to do replacements with bolts having equivalent tensile strengths.

[adam699]

Originally Posted by Al Norton

Would a dealer know the strength grade of the Porsche bolts in question? It's always best to do replacements with bolts having equivalent tensile strengths.

It would be hard to match up with the hardware store stuff since Porsche bolts are very specific in shape, size and strength. Keep in mind that they are made to stretch as you torque them down and that is the reason why tey shouldn't be reused.

They are also surprisingly not expensive.

[Mikelly]

I went thru this same thing with my Vette when I was upgrading parts on it constantly. It's not a "cost" factor if you have a dealership that can support you close by. It's more of an issue for those of us who don't have a close network of support. If you're in a bind working on your car and the nearest dealership is close to 2 hours away, I'd recommend going and buying the right length bolt in a grade 5/8 or 8.8 or above and calling it good. I've never damaged any component swapping a TTY bolt for a re-usable...

Mike

[carendt242]

has JIC fixed the drop-link issue? i broke 2 over the course of 2 months just driving on the street - 2 years ago.

- chuck