Creaking and Growning Noise from Driver Side of Rear Suspension

[dimnslow]

I have a 2000 911 996 C2, bone stock, 18" factory turbo twist wheels. 6-speed manual, US. 39K miles on the odo.

In early mornings or cold days when I go over speed bumps at low speed or uneven pavement the rear driver side suspension will make a noticable creaking/ groaning noise as I go over the bump. :help:

The car otherwise has performed well and when I brought it into the dealer I was not able to replicate the sound. But it always appears in the early mornings or when it is cold outside, and goes away towards the afternoon if the day heats up. The dealer states that it should not be a problem and really to wait until something breaks to return since they cannot replicate the issue :eek:

Will be very helpful if anyone can tell me what can be the cause of it, how much it may cost, as well as if any other 996 owners experience it. I will love to be able to fix the problem myself as well, if someone can explain what I need to do.

Thanks! :drive:

Edited October 2, 2006 by dimnslow

[dimnslow]

Sorry, meant GROANING noise, though the noise is growing too :P

Edited October 2, 2006 by dimnslow

[Loren]

Could be a loose sway bar or a strut going bad.

[dimnslow]

Could be a loose sway bar or a strut going bad.

Thanks for the advice Loren :)

Just for my own understanding, will the groaning/ creaking sound from those two items be affected by the temperature? I did not have this problem from May- July when it was really hot out here. Thanks!

[PeterC4]

Could be a loose sway bar or a strut going bad.

Thanks for the advice Loren :)

Just for my own understanding, will the groaning/ creaking sound from those two items be affected by the temperature? I did not have this problem from May- July when it was really hot out here. Thanks!

I've had this exact issue. Turned out to be a faulty control arm.

[dimnslow]

PeterC4,

I just found out from my service advisor today as well. We had put my car up on the service rack and he told me the driver's side rear control arm may be bad, and the symptoms I described match a bad control arm.

We did not have time to diagnose which of the control arm (upper or lower) was bad though. Do you know if both the upper and lower control arm can go bad and cause the symptoms I described? My thoughts are it will cost just as much for me to have both upper and lower replaced than have a my mechanic spend all the time figuring out which one is bad.

Which one did you replace? Thanks!

Edited October 8, 2006 by dimnslow

[PeterC4]

Based on my invoice I had the lower control arms replaced. I've had all four done. I'm not sure the upper arms are necessary, but I don't know the technical details. Since they were replaced, not a creak.