Warranty Coverage? Steering Problem?

[AIB]

Hey,

I have a problem with my steering where every time I turn my steering wheel at low speeds it makes a creaking sound just like an old metal box and when cruising at high speeds the steering wheel tends to shake, plus when I'm in my parking lot and make a full left turn my right wheel feels like its chopping in to the ground (don't know how to explain it?). I am sending my car down to the dealer soon to get the steering checked out and have been advise from the renntech forum that the problem might be from any of the following parts: control arm, ball joints, mounts, strut mount, strut, steering rack, tie rod...

Any advise on any other parts that could be the culprit?

&

Are any of these parts covered by my warranty?

Thanks,

Ali

[Loren]

Sounds like the top strut mount to me - if it is loose or worn that is the noise you get.

[AIB]

Sounds like the top strut mount to me - if it is loose or worn that is the noise you get.

Thanks. My appointment at the dealer is in 10 days (it's crazy how busy they are here in lebanon). I will be sure to tell them to check it out.

Do you know if the car is dangerous to drive till then?

[AIB]

Still waiting for my appointment at the dealers to see whats wrong with my car.

The sounds got much louder and more frequent now, I'm hardly driving it anymore...

Side note now that I'm driving my Porsche less I can't imagine how I was living without one before... I don't know how they do it but the emotional attachment you acquire with your Porsche is unbelievable!!!

[AIB]

Ok...

Got the car back from the dealer and they changed both shock absorbers (apparently they were a little bent) and they changed some bearings and rubber components (these items were changed under warranty but for some reason they wouldn't give me a copy of the changed parts). The car is a lot more steady and the steering has gotten tighter plus the ride is a little harsher and the loud clunking sounds have almost disappeared.

I still feel that I have to put a lot of effort to keep the car straight on the high way at speeds over 120 km/h (high way roads in Lebanon are not perfect but my brothers Targa 4S feels more planted and the steering isn't effected as much by small irregularities in the roads as my C2S). Also my right wheel still pinches (i don't know how better to explain it) when I make a full right turn exiting my parking. I sent the car back to the dealer and they did another wheel alignment and assured me that everything is ok after doing some test runs and checking the steering components one more time.

Could some one tell me if what I have just explained is normal and if its not what could be the problem?

[PAULSPEED]

It is tough to look at things from Lebanon. Maybe if

we had some pictures of what the roads look like we could

come to some conclusion.

It sounds like the pot holes are eating your car alive.

You might be better driving the roads your brother drives.

Paul

[AIB]

It is tough to look at things from Lebanon. Maybe if

we had some pictures of what the roads look like we could

come to some conclusion.

It sounds like the pot holes are eating your car alive.

You might be better driving the roads your brother drives.

Paul

:) we drive on same roads, I just drive my car much harder than he does (cant stand driving a Porsche and not opening up the throttle).... I will try to get you some pics of the roads and post them....

Any idea of why my right wheel feels like its grinding when I make a full right turn?? The dealer says all steering components seem fine....

[PAULSPEED]

I full right turn will get your front wheel to grind. Try

going into the corner slower and accelerating out of the

corner at the same time releasing the steering as you

accelerate out.

It is a term called slow and and fast out. With pratice,

you will see a faster time. The important thing about

going fast is a good quality of speed on the exit of the

turn.

This is secret stuff so do not go out to Thunderhill and

break my track record.

Paul

[AIB]

I full right turn will get your front wheel to grind. Try

going into the corner slower and accelerating out of the

corner at the same time releasing the steering as you

accelerate out.

It is a term called slow and and fast out. With pratice,

you will see a faster time. The important thing about

going fast is a good quality of speed on the exit of the

turn.

This is secret stuff so do not go out to Thunderhill and

break my track record.

Paul

Actually I only feel a grind when exiting my garage.... Does the same principal apply when at low speeds (not the slow fast one but the grinding when making a full turn at extremely low speeds?)

Will definitely try the slow fast technique when I get the chance, and don't worry your secret is safe with me ;) ....

[PAULSPEED]

Yes. Imagine backing out of the garage with the wheel full over. At

a slow speed both rear tires pull even and the car will not want to

turn. It is like griding the rubber off the front wheels.

Theres a turn I take in the morning where it is a steep up

hill sharp off camber left turn. The right tire tends to grind

unless I let the wheel losen.

Paul

[AIB]

Yes. Imagine backing out of the garage with the wheel full over. At

a slow speed both rear tires pull even and the car will not want to

turn. It is like griding the rubber off the front wheels.

Theres a turn I take in the morning where it is a steep up

hill sharp off camber left turn. The right tire tends to grind

unless I let the wheel losen.

Paul

Thanks... That's exactly what happens with me, I was always worried that something was wrong, thanks for clearing that up for me...

Today is a sad day for me, some idiot in traffic put his car in reverse and backed right into my front bumper, nicked my car pretty good!!! I was on the verge of letting my road rage loose but kept my cool, went to work and cried in the toilet :) .....

[PAULSPEED]

My rear bumper got hit last week. Not supper bad but

it bugs me. Been looking at repairing it.

Here is a video link below for repairing.

You can also go to youtube and type in 3m automix.

Sorry to hear about the bumper.

Paul

[AIB]

My rear bumper got hit last week. Not supper bad but

it bugs me. Been looking at repairing it.

Here is a video link below for repairing.

You can also go to youtube and type in 3m automix.

Sorry to hear about the bumper.

Paul

Cool video, I'm probably going to send the car to the dealer for the paint job though....

By the way I recently had some steering components changed because of sounds and clunks coming out of the car. I had the Shock absorbers changed (apparently they were bent) and some other components which the dealer wouldn't give me a list of (don't know why). The cars steering got tighter and sounds went away, however now the clunking sound on bumpy roads is back, I can hear it and feel it right below my left foot... Any idea what it might be (plus my steering gets a little light over 120 km/h, starts to pull with the bumps and the road, its hard to explain but it just feels like the steering makes small pulls left and right when the road gets a little irregular)... Some ppl tell me the steering is like that cause its a C2S so the front is light and the steering gets effected by irregularities, haven't been able to drive any one else s C2S to compare (drove my brothers Targa 4S and it was completely different, not effected at all be irregular roads at high speeds)....

[PAULSPEED]

The 4S has more weight in the front. Why not throw

some tool boxes and blankets into the front trunk. Try

about 50 lbs.

This should make a big difference.

Paul

[AIB]

Ok I tested out a 997 CS2 like mine and pin pointed the problem and/or difference... Both cars feel the same at low speeds but when I hit high speeds my steering becomes extremely light and is easily manipulated by any irregularities in the road which makes me feel very non-confident when I speed in my car, the other C2S steering feels much "heavier" at high speeds giving you a feeling of full stability at high speeds.

I recently had my shock absorbers changed because of sounds coming out of the steering and in hopes of solving the lightness issue. My dealer tested the car out and said everything is A OK but now after test driving another similar C2S I'm sure something is wrong.

Any idea what the problem might be? I'm gonna call my dealer on Monday and would appreciate it if anyone could advise on what I can tell them to center them in on the problem?

[RFM]

Perhaps a not according to the specifications implemented alignment ? I would recheck a 4 wheel alignment, with FULL fuel tank, in a real good shop.

[AIB]

Perhaps a not according to the specifications implemented alignment ? I would recheck a 4 wheel alignment, with FULL fuel tank, in a real good shop.

I did wheel alignments twice (front & back) both at the Porsche dealer service center. To them the car is fine, my last resort is to find a Porsche specialist to check my car out and do an alignment. Will be contacting a specialist this week, I'll keep you posted on the results.

[AIB]

I'm back again!!! and this wobbly wandering feeling at high speeds is driving me crazy!!!!

I sent the car to a Porsche approved Wheel Alignment specialist and explained the problem to him. He did a full check up on the suspension and steering components (he didn't take anything apart, just got under the car and checked everything out) he said from what he saw everything looks OK, I even asked if maybe the chassis maybe damaged since its a 2nd hand car and I'm not really sure if the owner before ever really crashed it, he said no chassis problems, however he did say the car did have an accident at the rear left wheel but everything looks like it has been fixed perfectly and no signs of anything wrong in that area (doesn't look like a big accident). He did a 4 wheel alignment and sent me off. After testing the car the steering does feel tighter/heavier but the car still wobbles/wanders at high speeds (had this checked out by a specialist and he seconded what I was feeling, so I know I'm not just being paranoid). The wheel alignment specialist told me what I need to do now is have the steering components stripped down and look for any damaged or worn parts.

Oh and he did say I need to change my tyres, he felt they were very slippery and that their production date is 2006 which means they are ready for a change....? Do you think the tyres are the problem and are they really up for a change because they were produced in 2006 (there is hardly any tread on them)?

My next move is to send the car back to the dealer and have the experts test drive it with me so that I can show them what I'm feeling then I want to ask them to strip the parts down and change any worn or damaged items... Anybody ever experienced this before (wobbly wandering feel at speeds over 120 KM/H) on a C2S ????

Thanks,

Ali

[RFM]

Is the car already tested on a shock absorber (suspension) test machine? Excessive play on suspension and steering components ? Rims and tyres, condition, dimensions and brand is also a point to look at. Must be something.

[AIB]

Is the car already tested on a shock absorber (suspension) test machine? Excessive play on suspension and steering components ? Rims and tyres, condition, dimensions and brand is also a point to look at. Must be something.

Mmmmmm... Not much of an expert to tell you the truth, but I will be sure to tell the dealer to test it on that machine (according to my last visit to the dealer they assured me that the suspension and shock absorbers are fine though)... Rims were tested (porsche 19" sports rims) and are ok (according to the dealer), tyres need to be checked (gonna have the dealer do it this time)....

Its mind boggling isn't it??? :)

Thanks for the reply....

[AIB]

Test drove my car with a Porsche Mechanic and he could tell the car isn't so stable at high speeds however he also told me my wheels didn't have so much grip, according to him he could fell the front tires losing a little grip at high speeds. He checked my tread wear and said it was fine however my tires are Pirelli Pzero and are 2006 production wheels. He told me that they have dried out and are not performing well and that we need to change them.

If tires are not so new production and have experienced hot weather do they make the car wobbly at high speeds?.... also do they lose their grip, because I do have grip problems with my wheels. I'm being cautious because in Lebanon a full set of continental or michelen Porsche tires will put me back around $1,800... Don't want to throw money at the problem and still not solve it.

Next thing I will be doing is actually trying out a set tires from a similar car and do a test drive to see if this solves the problem....

[PAULSPEED]

Air pressure is a big thing. Suggest you take

out about two psi from each tire.

Run 35psi in the front and 40psi in the rear.

Check your air pressure after a spirited run.

Tires pressure should be a lot higher.

You may want to look into putting nitrogen in the tires.

The pressure will not go up as the tire gets warmer.

Paul

[Hamad]

Air pressure is a big thing. Suggest you take

out about two psi from each tire.

Run 35psi in the front and 40psi in the rear.

Check your air pressure after a spirited run.

Tires pressure should be a lot higher.

You may want to look into putting nitrogen in the tires.

The pressure will not go up as the tire gets warmer.

Paul

I heard about using nitrogen in tires. is this recommended and is it really better then the normal air you get at gas stations?

worm weather/roads is an issue for me too and car starts to act weird with the grip sometimes.

appreciate your advice,

Hamad

[PAULSPEED]

Here is a story all about Nitrogen told

by racers.

http://www.pca-ggr.org/node/977

This is real good reading.

Paul

[Hamad]

Here is a story all about Nitrogen told

by racers.

http://www.pca-ggr.org/node/977

This is real good reading.

Paul

Thanks for this Paul! I assume its fine if I fill mine with nitrogen for normal use? not for track I mean?

Many thanks

Hamad