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Front suspension pop while turning into parking lot
I have a 2013 C4S with PDCC, sport chrono, PDK. When I make a hard right, turning into parking lots I hear a reproducible pop from what sounds like front left wheel area. This only happens if the wheels hit the ramp up into parking lot at different times so that right wheel initially higher than left while I am making the turn. If I am on flat/level surface and make same turn no noise. Almost sounds like control arm reaching its limit on the turn. Happens even if I make the turn at crawling speed. Any ideas? Last service visit I mentioned some front end noise, dealer checked out and said nothing found.
FWIW, this is different than the popping feel that the 4s have when backing out or pulling into flat surfaces at low speeds.
Last edited by Southwest4S; Nov 25, 2014 at 09:33 AM.
I have a 2013 C4S with PDCC, sport chrono, PDK. When I make a hard right, turning into parking lots I hear a reproducible pop from what sounds like front left wheel area. This only happens if the wheels hit the ramp up into parking lot at different times so that right wheel initially higher than left while I am making the turn. If I am on flat/level surface and make same turn no noise. Almost sounds like control arm reaching its limit on the turn. Happens even if I make the turn at crawling speed. Any ideas? Last service visit I mentioned some front end noise, dealer checked out and said nothing found.
FWIW, this is different than the popping feel that the 4s have when backing out or pulling into flat surfaces at low speeds.
I can't remember the configuration of the suspension on the 991 at the moment, but one thing I would check are the various suspension mounts. I had a BMW M3 a while back that did exactly what you have described at various times and ultimately what I found (dealer didn't spot anything when they checked, LOL) was a cracked sway-bar mounting bracket. It would move just a enough in certain off-level situations that I would hear a "clunk". Drove me nuts for a long time. Maybe you've got some similar ailment....
Hope this helps. Keep us posted and if you find something amiss, take some pics to share.
Pretty damn unbelievable. Is coming to the point where Porsche dealers don't even know how to prep their own cars? Don't expect that from any car dealership, let alone Porsche. Really embarrassing.
Are these supposed to be removed at the port or at the dealer? I had one that didn't get removed prior to delivery. Funny, the dealer acted as if it happened all the time.
I agree, this is not acceptable! If they forgot something like this, what else might have been "forgotten" during prep? But I've also gotta say to the OP -- myself having driven a 991 that wasn't prepped yet for even a very short distance I was able to tell the blocks were there -- how was this not noticeable for 12k miles?
Also, I can assume, but just what is the purpose of the suspension blocks, anyways? Does anyone know what the technical reason is?
I agree, this is not acceptable! If they forgot something like this, what else might have been "forgotten" during prep? But I've also gotta say to the OP -- myself having driven a 991 that wasn't prepped yet for even a very short distance I was able to tell the blocks were there -- how was this not noticeable for 12k miles? Also, I can assume, but just what is the purpose of the suspension blocks, anyways? Does anyone know what the technical reason is?
These are called transport blocks. They are there to protect the car while transporting from the Port to the Dealership. They keep the suspension tighter for truck transport so as not to bounce possibly loosening tie downs.
But I've also gotta say to the OP -- myself having driven a 991 that wasn't prepped yet for even a very short distance I was able to tell the blocks were there -- how was this not noticeable for 12k miles?
Good point. I asked myself the same question. Easy to notice once they were removed! I have mentioned suspension issues to the dealer a couple times, they always came back that it was fine and technician who drove the car "could not reproduce" and assured me everything was fine.
Interesting side note: somehow the car seemed to do better with tighter sport suspension mode activated. Not sure the mechanics of why that would be?
Finally, I made them drive with me and reproduced the problem and that is when I got the solution.
This is my first 911 and frankly I was not completely sold on the suspension. It just never felt right, especially over road joints/imperfections, etc. I recently bought an M5 in part bc of this and never could understand why the M5 suspension (with comp pack) just felt better sorted.
So in the end, after dealer allegedly inspected suspension, I chalked it up to the way Porsche's drive. The car now immediately feels much better and as a bonus sits lower. (I'll try and post pre-removal pics vs post - I think it looks much better now). I feel like I have a new car!
Are those blocks easy to see with the car on the rack? Just how much travel does the car have (if any) with those blocks in place? You can tell by the black marks on the spacers it was bottoming out , must have been a harsh ride. Have your car serviced somewhere else.
Can this be spotted without the car on the rank (may be with the wheels fully turned?!?!)
Regards
I looked at the front end several times, even with wheels turned but never saw anything. I never looked underneath when car was raised. Had the car in at least 6 months prior to this and complained of front end issues to dealer. They allegedly checked underneath and did not catch it then...
But I've also gotta say to the OP -- myself having driven a 991 that wasn't prepped yet for even a very short distance I was able to tell the blocks were there -- how was this not noticeable for 12k miles? 
