So In the last month or so I started getting suspension noise from the front. It would happen going over every speed bump or driveway. Surprisingly sometimes on cold starts it wouldn't happen and wouldn't start until everything is warmed up.

I took it to the dealer and they replaced the fron upper control arms and some bushing I think.This took care of the noise 75% of the time. But now I still get the noise just only 25% of the time.

I know from some research, this happens to alot of panameras. I don't care too much about the sound, however I just don't want it to turn into something mechanical after my warranty expires.

Does anyone know if the sound is just an annoyance or its something that manifests into mechnical problems? Also what can I tell my dealership to look at to change or do next about this problem?

 

How many miles do you have on your car? There is a very recent thread about control arms having to be switched out after 25K miles or so. I hope that is a warranty item as that sounds expensive (and kinda of unreasonable) to have to change so often..

Rippey

 

Almost 10k miles. They changed the upper front control arms, should I push on getting the rest changed? The car is very low miles, but is a 2010. So my warranty expires the end of the month.

I have fidelity platinum extended warranty, so its not the biggest deal. However, no after market warranty will be as easy to deal with as factory, and also I have to pay $100 per visit.

 

Uppers only took care of part of the problem on mine, it took lowers as well to cure the front end. Keep in mind it's the bushing that goes bad. Unfortunately on this car you can't replace the bushing the control arm must be done as an assembly to the tune of 1500 each (6k plus labor for all 4).

Another data point for you. My PS2 tires had about 7k miles on them. The fronts were shot. The rears were fine. I can't say how the previous owner drove the car, but in my mind, if the bushing is bad, it is allowing unintended movement of the suspension and/or not keeping it aligned when it deflects enough to create the noise.

I also had sway bar end links done, sway bar bushings and I think they did the ball joints (may come as part of the control arm assembly).

 

I just talked to the dealership and I'm bringing it in again. I just hate bringing my car in because the dealership is 30 min away so its a hassle driving back and forth all the time.

 

Have the service tech drive with you to pinpoint the issue accurately? You could also make a sound or video clip..

I had to make a video of a problem with my previous car (BMW) because the dealership could never replicate the issue - I emailed the file to the SA and his supervisor to create an electronic trail...they fixed the problem after the "could not replicate" responses.

 

Does the noise only involve cars with PASM?

 

I had the same clunk noises from the front right. I also had a humming noise from the front right that started at about 40mph. As per dealer everything was normal of course. So I decided to tackle it myself and took the right suspension apart including the axle. I have 17k miles.

The wheel bearing was shot so replaced it.

Second the sway bar drop link was kaput so changed that as well. The sway bar themselves are pretty solid and I believe the drop links are too weak to support the pressure from the sway bar ends. Just my opinion. Porsche did update the part so maybe this will hold up.

Also changed the sway bar bushings. Old ones were cracked and done. It helps to grease the contact points a little so there is no creaking. The torque values on the cross member holding the sway bar is super high. They definitely were not the specified torque when i removed the bolts. And I didn't torque them all the way yet. Another 45 of 90 degree is pending. Scared I might strip something. HAve to drive it some more and then torque a little more.

The upper and lower control arm bushings were fine and i did inspect them over and over. Rubber was pretty good with no cracks etc. Ball joints were fine.

Interesting thing about the axle is that when I opened up the boots, the grease was liquified and like motor oil. Not sure how that would lubricate the tranny side of the axle since it is at an angle. So I cleaned it up and used Swepco moly on both sides. There is defintely a play in the axle. i.e. it has a rotational play when you twist it clockwise and anticlockwise. It's about 5 minutes off 12 o'clock on left and right rotation. This is the noise people are sometimes hearing when they come to a stop. It happens in my Infiniti FX too when 4 wheel is engaged.

End result - clunk and humming noise are gone from front right. Now i hear clunks on the left. So, here we go again. Also hearing some from the rear right and I think that is from the foam boxy thingy jumping around where the Bose woofer would be. I have to pad it up and see after this weather clears up. If thats not it then rest of the 3 ends will get taken apart. And I still haven't addressed the high pitched whine.

One other thing I need to chase is the possibility of noise from the plastic part in the 4 jacking points. I did notice they had a a slight movement up and down. Need to take one apart and see if that could be a culprit.

Its fun working on these cars as much as driving them. But I wish we didnt have to chase so many problems in such low mileages. The quality of rubber and plastic in Porsche is some of the worst in my experience.

 

Yankee, did you do all that at your own costs? Your car is still under warranty.

 

Yes i paid for it myself. Around 300 for parts.