Boxster steering

[calingeman]

I have a '06 Boxster S (PPB-T + Climate + 19" Carerra Classic wheels) that I just purchased with just less than 15,000 miles. I noticed the other day, and a couple of times since, that when I first start the car (currently in a temperature range of 15-50 degrees here in Virginia), the steering makes a noticeble clunking/scraping noise when I put on full-lock either left or right, such as when pulling out of a tight parking space at low speed. It goes away after a few minutes, so does not seem to be a serious problem, but it is worrying nonetheless. Has anyone else has this type of experience or know what might be causing it? Thanks in advance.

[calingeman]

I just saw the thread from Westcoaster which addreses this problem. There seems to be different opinions about the cause, but I may take the advice of having the dealer look at it snce I want to get it checked over anyway. Thanks

[alotter]

I have an 05 Boxster S (987) with 13,000 miles on it. I have had the car since new. About a month ago I noticed the same scraping/clonking on full lock. It only occurs when the car has been sitting for a few days. Once you have driven for a minute or two, it will not do it again until it has been left for a while.

More worryingly, when driving at motorway speeds the car needs constant correction to keep it in a straight line. It feels like you are driving in really gusty wind conditions - but there is no wind.

I took it to a Porsche main dealer last week to get this checked. They performed a full wheel alignment check and took a drive of it but said they could find nothing wrong. Charged me £300 for the privilege though !

I am convinced there is something wrong on the steering somewhere so interested to see if anyone else has these sort of issues.

Edited January 12, 2008 by alotter

[White987S]

I have a 2006 987S with no issues like stated here. Just an FYI.

[White987S]

I have an 05 Boxster S (987) with 13,000 miles on it. I have had the car since new. About a month ago I noticed the same scraping/clonking on full lock. It only occurs when the car has been sitting for a few days. Once you have driven for a minute or two, it will not do it again until it has been left for a while.

More worryingly, when driving at motorway speeds the car needs constant correction to keep it in a straight line. It feels like you are driving in really gusty wind conditions - but there is no wind.

I took it to a Porsche main dealer last week to get this checked. They performed a full wheel alignment check and took a drive of it but said they could find nothing wrong. Charged me £300 for the privilege though !

I am convinced there is something wrong on the steering somewhere so interested to see if anyone else has these sort of issues.

Alotter, you may want to check your tire wear and tire pressures (when cold...early morning, prior to first drive).

[Popolou]

I have an 05 Boxster S (987) with 13,000 miles on it. I have had the car since new. About a month ago I noticed the same scraping/clonking on full lock. It only occurs when the car has been sitting for a few days. Once you have driven for a minute or two, it will not do it again until it has been left for a while.

More worryingly, when driving at motorway speeds the car needs constant correction to keep it in a straight line. It feels like you are driving in really gusty wind conditions - but there is no wind.

I took it to a Porsche main dealer last week to get this checked. They performed a full wheel alignment check and took a drive of it but said they could find nothing wrong. Charged me £300 for the privilege though !

I am convinced there is something wrong on the steering somewhere so interested to see if anyone else has these sort of issues.

Touching on your last item first, you need to find a perfectly flat and decent road to test this. I think you are finding the car tramlining and this happens more frequently than you think. Its due to a combination of things such as large tyres combined with our rickety roads.

About the scraping sound, it's a common aspect of the steering geometry and happens to all cars based on the Ackerman principle. The sound is akin to driving on compacted snow and feels like a judder or slipping when on full lock.

Regards

Pop

Edited January 12, 2008 by Popolou