I am new to the forum but have been reading with interest. I have a couple of questions.

1. I have a late 2002 996 TT with now 9000 miles - since about 4500 miles I have had a vibration that comes on at 87 mph and stays with me till late 90s then smooths out. I would describe it as a dull vibration rather than a sharp vibration - you feel it through the car and a little through the steering wheel. The dealership have been baffled by it - it seems to originate from the left front wheel area - initially they said I had bent a front wheel - I sought a second opinion and no bend was found in the wheel - I insisted if they thought the wheel was bad they replace it under warranty which they did but I still have this vibration - Please help if you have any ideas - I drive in the 80-100mph bracket at most times and it is annoying.

2. I see some of you have a more aggressive painted lower front bumper/spoiler extension - where do I buy one and how much?

3. Where should I buy a short shift kit?

4. Where do I buy the $500 miracle chip i have been reading about and does it affect the warranty on the car?

Thanks for reading my post, and feel free to e mail me direct or post your responses.

Nigel Fox
Flushing, Michigan

 

The only thing I cannot comment on is the vibration, but the rest:
2.Are you refering to this??

If so, it is the factory areokit lip, you can pick one up from the board sponser Carnewal (www.carnewal.com), they are not cheap tho, I believe around $1000 without paint...
3.I have an FVD Short shift that I just had installed and love it. It is a 33% reduction. Contact Bryan at www.fvd-usa.com and tell him I (Evan) sent you and he will hook you up.
4.The $500 miricle chip is from a company Upsolute...I cannot help past there as I went the GIAC route, but there are a few on here that can help...
Welcome to the forums,
Evan

 

I have a new TT Cab. The car has had a similar vibration at similar speeds since I picked it up. My assumption was one wheel needed balancing. I've since switched wheels so I'll never know.

 

Nigel,

I don't believe it to be a wheel balancing problem as you have had the same vibration with both wheels. I still would have the wheels and tires checked on one of the latest Hunter machines. If this shows no problem, check your brake rotors. There is a possibility you did not bed in your brakes properly. That is you did some aggressive braking before they were properly broken in. What can happen is pad material embeds on the rotor resulting in a vibration. Hope this helps.

 

I've had the same problem since I picked up my TT. Even with the PSS9s, it is still there. From about 70 - 80mph, though.

 

Nigel: If I were a betting man, I'd say you've got a tire problem -- out of round/shifted belt issue. Do you have Pirelli's on your car? If so, it's been my experience that this brand suffers from the above problem(s) all too often. The only way to be sure, is to find a tire/wheel shop that has the Hunter 9700 Road Force balancing machine. This will tell you whether your tire/wheel assembly is exhibiting too much "road force/vibration" and whether the culprit is the wheel or tire. Bear in mind, an out of round tire can still be balanced, but exhibit significant vibration under load. Hope this helps.

 

I also have the same problem between 70-80 mph. One of my front Pirellis was out of round so Pirelli replaced the 2 fronts under warrant-- i was "forced" to buy 2 rears. The new tires have significantly reduced but not eliminated the problem. I am going to have them road forced the end of this week.

I have heard some grumblings that the problem might be related to the tire brand. Do the people with the vibration have Pirellis. I have heard of one owner who switched to Pilot sports and the vibration was completely eliminated.

 

We have eliminated the tires on the basis that we have installed two sets of Pirellis and now I have a new set of Yokohamas (which ride better than the Pirellis) but the same vibration has been there from the same apparent location each time - we have each time used the Road Force machine to balance - when the car is put on a lift and run up to these speeds the left front wheel assembly has a visible shake compared to the others - even with new tires or tires switched and now new wheels so all I can assume is there is some deeper problem - the dealer today tells me that they are having trouble helping me as they cannot legally drive the car at these speeds!!! I have decided to film the vibrations on the static hoist and pass it on to my lawyer as I am unhappy with the car for the price and the fact that it should perform at these speeds without these issues.

 

Have the vibration on an '03 Turbo with Pirelli's as well. Totally smooth until you hit 70mph, then vibration kicks in and gradually increases with speed from there. Have an appointment this week at the dealer to have this looked at.

 

Just got back from having my new Pirellis rebalanced at Discount Tire on the Road Force machine. Initial reaction--very positive. Vibration in the 70-80 range has been almost totally eliminated. The mechanic, who I have used many times before, rebalanced the wheels in a different manner and using different settings than he did last week when I initially had them installed. If anybody wants his name and number to give him a call to get the settings, let me know.