Weird steering

[AIB]

Hey,

I have a:

2005

C2S

Triptronic

Blck on Blck w/ red stitching

Blck 19" Porsche sports rims (loving them)

My steering is a little weird. It started with a cranking or popping sound every time I would turn the steering wheel left or right. I took it to my dealer and after the mechanic turned the steering wheel left and right many times (made a lot of popping and cracking noises) he gave me an appointment to get a detailed check up for the steering but said its nothing very major and its safe to drive. When I was driving my car back home the steering wheel made the noise every time I turned it ( more often than before). The next day to my surprise the sound was gone. But then I noticed that when I drove on un even pavement/tarmac the steering wheel would naturally go right and left with the tarmac however the weird thing is that when the steering would go left or right because of the tarmac the steering would get heavy to which ever side and I would be forced to center it myself. I don't know if I'm explaining clearly, but its like the steering wheel wants to go left or right instead of centering. Funny thing is that when driving straight on good tarmac steering is perfect.

Anyone have any idea what the problem could be.

Ali

[355bhp]

. . . But then I noticed that when I drove on un even pavement/tarmac the steering wheel would naturally go right and left with the tarmac however the weird thing is that when the steering would go left or right because of the tarmac the steering would get heavy to which ever side and I would be forced to center it myself. I don't know if I'm explaining clearly, but its like the steering wheel wants to go left or right instead of centering. Funny thing is that when driving straight on good tarmac steering is perfect.

Ali

I'd bet those big, fat tires are likely the cause. Same thing happens in my C2S: the pulling on cambered roads and streets, but no popping though.

[JeTexas]

The cranking or popping could be the tires rubbing or ... maybe ball joints?

[355bhp]

Ali,

Do those new rims have new tires as well? With their huge and sticky contact patches, maybe they just need to wear in.

[dphatch]

Hey,

I have a:

2005

C2S

Triptronic

Blck on Blck w/ red stitching

Blck 19" Porsche sports rims (loving them)

My steering is a little weird. It started with a cranking or popping sound every time I would turn the steering wheel left or right. I took it to my dealer and after the mechanic turned the steering wheel left and right many times (made a lot of popping and cracking noises) he gave me an appointment to get a detailed check up for the steering but said its nothing very major and its safe to drive. When I was driving my car back home the steering wheel made the noise every time I turned it ( more often than before). The next day to my surprise the sound was gone. But then I noticed that when I drove on un even pavement/tarmac the steering wheel would naturally go right and left with the tarmac however the weird thing is that when the steering would go left or right because of the tarmac the steering would get heavy to which ever side and I would be forced to center it myself. I don't know if I'm explaining clearly, but its like the steering wheel wants to go left or right instead of centering. Funny thing is that when driving straight on good tarmac steering is perfect.

Anyone have any idea what the problem could be.

Ali

Could be ball joints, but on a 4 year old car that would be very usual unless the car hit a curb or something. Could be the steering knuckle but again that's a pretty robust part that isn't likely to fail on such a young car. Tires might make the problem worse but wouldn't likely be the cause of the problem. Could be the steering pump. Whatever it is, it isn't safe to be driving the car. I'd have it looked at immediately by someone who can diagnose and repair it in short order.

[AIB]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I sent the car to the dealer yesterday and they thoroughly checked the steering components and did a few test drives. They said everything is fine and normal. I do have new Pirelli Pzero's, might have to wait till I wear them out a little. The popping and cracking sounds are all gone and the dealer told me that the sounds might have been because of water on the steering components or from the change in weather (had the car in a dessert climate area for a while and now shipped it to Lebanon where the weather is Mediterranean). I guess if the dealer says everything is fine and tip top then I should be fine.

Thanks guys,

Ali

[fgv1it]

FWIW, on Boxsters, if the steering made a popping noise when turning the wheel right or left, the cause has sometime been traced to worn out shock strut mounts. Replacing the rubber bushing in the mount usually aolved the problem.

[500]

Its a control arm...take it to your dealer they should know about it...

[AIB]

Its a control arm...take it to your dealer they should know about it...

I think its either a control arm or worn out mounts. Sent it to the dealership and they said nothing is wrong. The sound has almost completely stopped and the heaviness of the steering wheel is much less. If the problem persists I will send the car to the dealer and tell him to check out the mounts and the control arm.

Thanks a lot guys, you have been very helpful.