New car - grinding noise - help appreciated!

[mange_b]

I'm new to this forum as this is my first venture in to the Porsche world B) Greetings all!

Now to my question:

I've just bought a Boxster S -00 and had a pre purchase inspection done prior to the deal.

The mechanic commented on a noise coming from the front end that he attributed to the fact that the front tires were misaligned and torn on the inside. Other than that the car passed the inspection so I went ahead and bought the car.

The car is due for a tire replacement, wheel alignment and balancing later this week.

After having put 500 miles on the car the noise is more noticeable and I am no longer sure it has anything to do with tires or alignment :huh:

It is a grinding noise that is noticeable from about 20 mph - shu, shu, shu - and it increases in frequency with speed without correlation to gear or rpm. I have no noticeable vibrations in the car or steering wheel and the car drives well. The sound is more noticeable while braking. :angry:

Any thoughts are welcome! :)

Edited July 31, 2007 by mange_b

[fasterjames]

Congratulations on your new Boxster!

It sounds like tires to me. The shu shu shu gives it away. Plus the type of tire on it will make a big difference. As you own your Boxster and get deeper into the forum, you'll learn that many tires get louder with age as well, especially if they aren't balanced, aligned, or inflated correctly. Best of luck to you!

[mange_b]

Thank you! Your comment relieves some of my worries. :rolleyes:

I'll post an update as soon as I have the new tires on and let you know how it turns out!

[der Geist]

Stop immediately and check to see that all your lug nuts are tight. If you have spacers take the wheels off and make sure they are tight as well. Torque them all to 96lbs. If you don't have a torque go to Harbor Fright and get a cheapie for $15.00 until you can get a good one. Chances are they are OK especially after a PPI but better safe than sorry. I had and experience once with a mechanic that forgot to tighten the lugs and the symptoms you are describing sound very similar. Take 5 minutes to check it. Better safe than sorry.

[Glyn]

try driving on a quiet road then steer from side to side, does the noise increase and decrease as you go in different direction, if it does it is your wheel bearing.

When you turn one way - if the noise increases it is the bearing on theopposite side, drive at speed, steer to the left - noise increases the the right hand bearing has gone - as you turn to the left more weight is transfered to the right - heavier loading = more noise - just reverse all this if the noise increases when you turn right