First of all, just want to say hi to everyone as i just joined today. I've been looking for a good forum for a long time and this board was mentioned to me a few minutes ago so here i am!!

So I recently had a shop install P229s on my car (2001 996 Turbo) and everything was fine until I drove up my driveway. When approaching at an angle, I can hear a metallic clang coming from the front suspension. Sounds almost like the spring got unseated or something. This sound only occurs during angled approaches to unleveled surfaces (driveways, speedbumps... etc...) and is NOT present during normal driving or even spirited driving.

I took it back to the shop and they said it was normal.

I find it hard to believe that this sound is normal.

Any feedback guys? Anyone know of any reputable shop in the bay area for me to get a second opinon?

 

It is normal. Everytime I go up my driveway. Other than that no noise.

 

wow...i would've thought that such an expensive kit would've been engineered better, especially since it's from Bilstein..

oh well, i guess if i'm not an isolated case than there's nothing really to whine about.

 

First...since you are new here...how about some pics. Second, did you mean PSS9s? Yes, the sound IS normal. There is a bearing you can add to reduce the noise...but no big deal. The sound is actually the springs moving inside the unit...the bearings allow the springs to move easier.

 

I don't here any noise on mine. Installation on these things take at least 8-10 hours if done correctly. The guys that did mine have installed hundreds and specialize in setting up cars for racing etc. I would ask the installer just out of curiousity how long it took them to install. It cost me with 4 wheel alignment around $1100 to get mine installed 18 months ago. Again no noise on my end...yet.

 

Mine took 7 hours...Do you know if they installed the bearings?

 

I actually get the same noise as well....only at low speeds and on angled approaches. Other than that, no other noise whatsoever.

I did come accross this yesterday though..... http://www.tcdesignfab.com/Bilstein%20996%20PSS9.htm

wonder if this is whats causing the problem...gonna have Sharky and his guys check it out next week...

 

this will start a interesting debate. depends on the noise level & ur particular set up (i.e swaybars, ride height...) the noise can be normal. if u take a closer look at the PSS9 design & know how it works then it might make u feel ''safer'' hearing the noise. some can be eliminated some can not. the spring turns & travels when u go over bumps or driveway. u shouldn't be hearing any noise when the car is perfectly balanced or leveled. it usually happens when one side of the shock/springs is compressed another side is lose. the noise is coming from the plate between the 2 springs etc where they're metal to metal. btw, if anyone here has experience with GT2 or GT3 u'll be hearing this kind of noise very often.

 

whew, i am glad i wasnt the only one hearing that noise up the driveway.... only in my driveway, no where else did i hear the clank or whatever....

 

This is very common in coil over applications. You will also notice your chassis starting to make noise since the suspension does not "Give" as much as it used to. Now the chassis will be flexing more as you go up you driveway.