My car is driving me nuts at the moment.

Constantly some niggling problems... I am hearing some rumbling noises from the front. First I thought something is lose in my front boot area (spare wheel) but it isn’t. But it’s a similar sound like if a spare wheel would be lose or lift handle would be vibrating against the boot floor. But it ain’t. Under further observation it actually starts to happen once the car warms up, 10 miles or so. Once it starts it stays there. It’s like a suspension play rattle but then it comes and goes unrelated to bumps, so I don't think this is it. It’s quite faint but definitely there. I know list is endless but is anyone hearing this as it could be just a quirk noise that’s normal with our cars as I have plenty of those. Also, I’ve just changed tyres so hearing lots more things as on silent shoes...

 

Hi. Does it go away when you're stopped? If so, I suspect it's a
bearing gone in the unit that transfers power to the front wheels.
If it's that, a new unit is expensive, and Porsche doesn't support
fixing it, but I've had good luck with a local mechanic taking them
apart and replacing bearings... PM me if you want more details.
Joe

 

Faint rumbling noise? Make sure it isn't your tires. Check the wear on them, make sure you don't have any cupping (run your hands along the tread)

Tire noise has been mistaken for wheel bearing noise on more than a few occasions.

 

Hi Joe, it's not the diff; I’ve had that replaced last year. It's a different noise; it's like metal clacking. I just don’t understand what could start to clack once car is driven for 10 miles and would not make noise beforehand, and up-front? Also, once the clacking starts it stays there and the next day it’s gone for the first 10 miles again. Noise is not there when stationary. :-(.

 

Front brake duct loose???

 

Front radiator cooling fan?

 

do u hear it when turning ? if not could be your wheel bearings....

 

Ok, I've placed dictaphone in my boot. I've empty everything. This is what it sounds like. It's not as loud in the ****pit. For the first 10 miles noise is not there, then it's there and it gets louder.

http://www.communicormedia.com/996TTfrontnoise.mp3

Anyone from CSI (car forensic) who can work it out? ...

 

That does sound like the front differential...
Did you get a whole new unit or a used
replacement? I'm guessing it takes the oil
warming up and therefore getting thinner
to allow the free and easy play to get the
rattle/knock...

 

Porsche oem recon unit. I hope it's that as still in warranty.

 

Well, do get them to verify that's the problem and let us know...

 

Are you sure it's not a lose shock?

 

Update; car was jacked up, no play anywhere. All looks fine. Dealer suspect’s stabiliser bars although they have no play in them? Huh? They recommend we disconnect them go for a drive to see if it's the bars...

 

disconnect the front diff and go for a ride....

 

Front diff only has 5K on it, I've replaced it (recon unit from Porsche) 6 months ago... it was making a whining noise - doesn't sound like a diff but maybe? Who knows, will try that too.