Driveline clunk

[Jeremy Cottrell]

08 Cayenne V6.

When cruising or accelerating slightly there is a clunking feeling which seems to be coming from the driveline. It is somewhat intermittent and seems to be doing it more after the car has been driven for awhile.

The car has a new driveshaft. There is no clunking when turning like would be exhibited by a bad stepper motor. Any ideas?

[mwiadro]

08 Cayenne V6.

When cruising or accelerating slightly there is a clunking feeling which seems to be coming from the driveline. It is somewhat intermittent and seems to be doing it more after the car has been driven for awhile.

The car has a new driveshaft. There is no clunking when turning like would be exhibited by a bad stepper motor. Any ideas?

Interesting symptoms - I am a new Cayenne owner (04 CS w/ 62K) which I purchased a couple months ago. The car was a "one-owner" with a dealer maintenance history and the cardon shaft was replaced at 55K, prior to my purchasing the vehicle. I am now getting an episodic clunk from the driveline, I presume. When it happens...the car is always at low speeds and pointed straight, too. The local dealer checked the shaft alignment and pronounced things "ok" blaming the clunk on worn rear control arm bushings. I'm skeptical of their dx.

Any insight or suggestions would be welcome? As PM i've noticed other Cayenne owners drain/change the differentials and tranny fluid.

[WilliamMacDougall]

This may not help... but I recently had a similar problem with my old 2000 ML320... what they found it to be was actually the engine mounts were broken. The symptoms:

When going from stop to start with mild to heavy acceleration; or kicking it in to pass a car you would hear a clunk and actually could feel it in the seat or on the floor through your feet. What I was feeling was the engine torquing and actually moving. I believe over an extended period of time it could cause more damage to the drive train et. al.

Let me reiterate the issue was with a Mercedes ML320 and I had many friends telling me what they thought was wrong but until you take it to a qualified technician I don't know if you can get a good answer. Also, I am a new Porsche owner (and proud) so am not familiar as the masses on these boards.

[Richard Hamilton]

My brother had a very similar thing with his Cayenne Turbo. In his case, it was well worn front tyres, and nearly new rear ones. New tyres fixed it.

[TroyCruz]

@mwiadrod were you able to get it fix??/ what's the solution? having same trouble with my 06 V6

[wvicary]

@mwiadrod were you able to get it fix??/ what's the solution? having same trouble with my 06 V6

Rear drive shaft/carden shaft and front lower rear control arm bushings are common sources of noise.