Those are DL sounds for sure, 100%. My TRG links did the same thing, spring perches usually do it off load, like pulling in a driveway with the shock at full extension.
One potential fix might be OEM GT2 DLs if they are the right length (997). Sharky also custom makes some I believe.

 

As I said once before, we lubricated my DL, put on rubber boots, etc. That didn't solve it. Larry even went driving around with the droplinks disconnected and the noises were still there. We're pretty sure that it's the bearings.

 

That doesn't sound good at all, doesn't sound like a drop link to me.

 

And if that doesn't sound like a pirate ship, I don't know what does.

To isolate the noises the drop links were removed and the sway bar was tied up out of the way, and after about 50 miles of driving (very carefully) the noises were back. It seems like the problem is heat related, which could certainly be caused by an inadequate amount of oil in the shock.

If I didn't point it out in the beginning of my thread, the car performed flawlessly after installation of the Bilstein Damptronic mod for more than 15K miles. The only performance issue other than noises was on a drive last fall in 100+ degree heat when the car seemed kind of floaty with sort of vague steering at speeds of more than 90 mph. On that same day it had performed well on a closed twisty road course and a brief stint on a track.

The really annoying part of this whole drama is that I have not been able to enjoy my car for more than a year. There have been times when I felt it would have been appropriate to paint "Just Married" on the rear window for all the noise the suspension was making.

I would not try to dissuade anyone from modifying their turbo suspension as it can truly transform the car.

 

The only coilover suspension that doesn't make strange noises is the factory GT2/3 part. I don't recall the manufacturer, but the springs are made by H&R. I really wish Porsche offered an X73 type option for the 997 TT. I cannot endorse the Bilstein Damptronic, too many issues making them fragile and unreliable. I will say that my customer service experience with Bilstein was very good. I just think that particular coilover is not a good product.
For serious track use, Penske is the best of the best, but it will cost you.

 

As for the "fix" described by Chris (C/997) in a thread "clunking Damptronics", I believe both Atomic 80 and I have addressed that problem with Teflon washers and pieces of rubber hose on the springs. It's been hard to resolve this issue because it is very hard to describe the noises emanating from the suspension. I heard it described as clunking, rattling, and clicking plus the groaning at low speed. In my case the closest I can come to describing the noises in my car is it sounds as though the front end is coming apart at the seams. At any rate I won't know until the warm weather returns and I take the car out of hibernation.

 

In the words of Bill Clinton, "I feel your pain". My car was out of commission for almost 2 months trying to sort out my issues.

 

Doug, I agree completely.

I think many of us chose Bilstein or some OEM'd version of Bilstein, to retain PASM functionality.

I wish PASM were an option, not a standard feature. I would have picked my GT2 and TT without it.

 

But there is hope yet for PASM. When I test drove the latest 997.2 Turbo, I've found PASM to be a significant improvement: The firm setting is not nearly as jittery as 997.1 Turbo and GT2.

The first generation PASM IMHO is at best a work in progress, and at worst (to me) a design failure, especially in case of 997.1 Turbo.

Fortunately, or, unfortunately to some who have had problems, there are only 2 ways out of this: Bilstein or KW. Without a coilover modification, I personally would not recommend the Turbo to anyone because the soft stock springs causse way too much weight transfer for a "sports" car, and the steering feels like soft noodle.

 

I still wish it weren't an option...at least on my GT2.

Come to think of it, why would anyone with a GT3RS (clearly a track dedicated car) want PASM?

 

When I drove 997.1 GT2, I found the firm PASM setting to be very jittery as well. Is that what makes you unhappy?

I didn't know that PASM is an option for GT3 RS? I am just an amateur (what do I know), but I do believe that PASM *can* be made to work. The key is not to be too greedy with the dampening force. In first generation PASM, what they do is jacking up the dampening force sky high to make the car stiff. This is not the best approach because it's better to affect "stiffness" by changing spring.

In second gen PASM and in Bilstein Damptronic, I think (uneducated guess ) the key is to use stiffer spring, and milder dampening force change in between the 2 settings. This is why some people have actually fallen in love with the Firm setting of Bilstein Damtronic - firm yet creamy. Yummy yummy.

 

Better ask this before someone got mad at me for repeated thread-jack :

1. Larry, have you considered re-installing the stock suspension system? If already done so, what happens to the noise then?
2. The reason I asked is that if your noise is the same as Jason's video, it's unlike any clunk noise that I've seen described, and is there a possibility it has nothing to do with the coilover?
3. Is it possible something was bent in the other suspension components that you've changed (sway bar, etc.), or even in the stock suspension links??
(I feel your pain.)

 

So what did you put back TT? I see you have GMG in your sig but is that a coilover set up? ..or just replaced the stock coils.

[quote]
But Cann from my memory looking at the pathetic piece of paper instruction in the box even in German such obvious lack of detail would even have a german grasping for the phone to Bilstein for advice. I still maintain that decent detailed instructions should be provided. I remember my tubi exhaust had no instructions either.....a sign to be very wary i say.
The guys that installed mine were P car track set up specialists and had done many pss9 installs but never a set of damptronics so i was also a guinea pig unfortunately...knowing the intstructions in the box werent even good for toilet paper. I also had the GT3 LFCA's installed, shortened drop links to suit the new ride height, and a full alignment etc to suit track and street (a compromise) and when i picked up my car, turning the wheel from lock to lock bought about a terrible groaning sound so they jacked it up so the coils detensioned off the top towers and sprayed silicone spray between the top rubber and spring plate. I was so relieved (i think they were too) that stopped the groan as there was no way would i have ever been able to put up with that awful noise. It ruined the car. Anyway ever since, every time the car was washed up under the gaurds a mild groan would return for a few hours after. Bilstein has obviously not accomodated for a number of things and i would agree that Chris's needle roller should probably be a stock item included in the kit, as a sealed bearing though, as i still think they will be subject to particle contamination being in the area they are. Its inevitable . Bilstein have got some ways to in providing a good package that isnt subject to quirky variations which seem to occur from car to car.

 

I would be happier if they had installed a setup where you could manually adjust rebound and compression controls separately.

Unfortunately, it's the only suspension available...

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/91...l/?gtabindex=2

 

1. Hi Paul, if my memory serves me right, the instruction is in fact quite detailed, and even have drawings regarding height. But it's in German, so I don't know. Ha ha bad joke. I agree with you - they should be translated.

2. Bearing: Look at that thread again and see my post https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...fixed-diy.html : in the Turbo Bilstein re-uses the stock bearing, and your friend's C2 installation did not!!! Is it missing in the C2 installation there? Is it supposed to be that way?

3. Surely I agree with your complaints, but as I mentioned above, to me the larger issue is not whether Bilstein has problems, but whether Bilstein's problems worse in number or severity than KW, Moton, JRZ? Is it worse than the carbon fiber wheel that shatters? Or ECU modded turbo engine that blew up? Or Porsche's own brake noise and RMS? Not that it makes it right, but to me it is simply parts and parcels of modding your car, of having a sports car.
The stock Turbo handles like a Lexus and I would have sold it otherwise (painful and surprising secret, to me at least: more body roll/weight transfer, worse handling, and worse steering feel than C2/C2S). If not Bilstein, I am sure I would have KW in my car now. And that has what, a 50% failure rate per forum statistics? Would that stop me? A resounding no.