00' Boxster S Rough Ride / Shaking on Steering Wheel

[usaf-lt-g]

Hi,

Came across another issue on my Porsche today. It feels as though the car is riding rough over bumps, rough roads, as if perhaps the shocks were bad or struts, it almost feels as though I have no shocks or struts at all on the vehicle. Wondering if this is pretty common, and / or what the typical cost is to get these replaced if that's the case. Are there other options I can go with besides taking it to the Porsche dealer to get worked on?

2nd issue is a vibration in the steering wheel as if the car were out of alignment. I checked with the dealer, and it'll cost around $360 to have it re-aligned, which quite personally, I thought was a bit steep for an alignment. I'm guessing that the shaking / vibration of the steering wheel is due to an alignment problem though. Any suggestions?

-Chris-

[rsfeller]

You should always look at your tires first when you have steering shake, you do not make any mention of their condition and a confirmed visual inspection of all tires. Additionally, a alignment can be done for $100+ by a quality suspension shop (not a BP procare!).

So tell us about your tires and/or rims first and when can start looking suspension components.

[usaf-lt-g]

You should always look at your tires first when you have steering shake, you do not make any mention of their condition and a confirmed visual inspection of all tires. Additionally, a alignment can be done for $100+ by a quality suspension shop (not a BP procare!).

So tell us about your tires and/or rims first and when can start looking suspension components.

All 4 tires are practically brand new with minimal wear:

Fronts: Pirelli PZero Nero P225/40 ZR18

Rear: Pirelle PZero Nero P265/35 ZR18

Wheels: These look to be the standard 18" Boxster S wheels that came with the car. I think they are called Turbos? I'm not 100% sure to be honest.

I bought the car used to drive as a summer driving car. Also, I've tried to take it to several places, but I've had a hard time finding a "quality" suspenison shop by me that will actually WORK on the thing. Most places won't touch it because it's a "Porsche" and "they don't have the tools." I'm in the Algonquin, IL area, so if you know of a place that actually will do an alignment for that price, then let me know please.

Also, I suppose I should edit my profile and add these detail specs to my car:

2000 Boxster S 3.2L 6-Speed Manual

Silver Exterior

Black Interior with Silver Trim

Upgraded Headlights to Litronics with clear side markers and motor electronics

Upgraded Side Markers - Clear

Upgraded 3rd Brake Light - Clear

Upgraded Rear Lights - Red / Clear

Upgraded Interior RearView Mirror - AutoDimming

Upgraded Exterior RearView Mirror - AutoDimming

Edited May 27, 2008 by usaf-lt-g

[geoff]

Vibration in the steering wheel is often caused by tires that aren't balanced. Sometimes the stick-on balance weights fall off the wheel (even with new tires if they didn't clean the disk brake dust off the wheel before sticking the weights on). Any decent tire shop should be able to check the wheel balance. If there's a Discount Tires by you (national chain, same as Americas Tires her in So. Cal), they will have everything needed to balance the tires. Re-balancing tires is a lot cheaper than an alignment, although it's a good idea to get your wheels aligned every few years anyway for tire wear and handling. If your wheels are out of round (like from driving through pot holes), then the wheels aren't good for much.

The first time I had my wheels balanced after I bought my car ('01 Boxster), all the wheel shimmy and vibration went away

Your options list says "upgraded" several times. If the previous owner did a lot of upgrades himself, it might be a good idea to get everything checked by a knowledgeable mechanic so you have a baseline for the car's condition

[rsfeller]

We'll if you are convinced the tires are flawless and there is no rim damage then yes you may have some loose front end components/bushings or something bent. You best bet in a populated area is to find a Porsche independent shop if nobody will touch your car.

There are some things items that are the same on all cars and suspension tends to be one of those things to shops that specialize in such work. I live between a large market (Columbus) and some hick towns and in those hick towns are shops that have been working on cars and trucks for years that have no issues looking at my Vw Vanagon Syncro, Saabs or Porsche. Sometimes it does take work to find them.

If you cannot do such work yourself you need to find an Indy shop. Bug the list with a new post and on other boards if necessary for your area to get a good recommendation.

[Topless]

Check with your local PCA chapter to find a trusted Porsche repair/alignment shop in your area. This should get you started: http://www.pca.org/

Also list the mileage on your car, and miles since new tires to help narrow down possible causes. So far it sounds like loose/damaged suspension components to me.

[usaf-lt-g]

We'll if you are convinced the tires are flawless and there is no rim damage then yes you may have some loose front end components/bushings or something bent. You best bet in a populated area is to find a Porsche independent shop if nobody will touch your car.

There are some things items that are the same on all cars and suspension tends to be one of those things to shops that specialize in such work. I live between a large market (Columbus) and some hick towns and in those hick towns are shops that have been working on cars and trucks for years that have no issues looking at my Vw Vanagon Syncro, Saabs or Porsche. Sometimes it does take work to find them.

If you cannot do such work yourself you need to find an Indy shop. Bug the list with a new post and on other boards if necessary for your area to get a good recommendation.

Well the rims for sure have dings in them, probably from the last owner hitting some curbs or something... I already put in a brand spankin new trans as a precaution to he/she's "poor driving skillz" ;) I actually am planning on getting new rims for the car asap anyways. I don't want them any bigger than 18" and want to stay as close to the actual factory sizes as possible so I dont end up damaging any of the boots or more costly suspension elements. I was thinking of these...

http://www.vertexauto.com/showitem.aspx?id...-%20Chrome&

??

[rsfeller]

You put in a new transmission as precautionary!?!?!?!

do you mean clutch?

[usaf-lt-g]

You put in a new transmission as precautionary!?!?!?!

do you mean clutch?

No, a NEW transmission and a clutch. Both. When I bought it, it had an issue with the 2nd gear synchro, and was pretty nasty. So I had the whole thing replaced in addition to a new clutch kit.

[juniinc]

Those wheels look nice! They are same as mine :D

But do me a favor,,,stay away from CHROME please.

Edited May 27, 2008 by juniinc

[rsfeller]

Did they check out your RMS too while there?

[usaf-lt-g]

Those wheels look nice! They are same as mine :D

But do me a favor,,,stay away from CHROME please.

Why stay away from Chrome? Personally I think they look nice. I don't like it when people put on "painted" rims, espcially painted "stock" rims... I thought about going black for a while, but realized how stupid that would look on my car. I'm not talking about adding 20" ghetto chrome wheels to my Porsche.

[usaf-lt-g]

Did they check out your RMS too while there?

Negatory, I didn't have them look at it. Essentially, I had my transmission dropped and drained by a local shop, shipped out to VertexAutomotive via crate to Florida who fixed it and re-manufactured it, got it back to the shop and installed the new clutch kit and trans. All in all, cost me $2500, which i thought was pretty good for what I paid for. Shifting is smooth and controlled and responsive.

[rsfeller]

That is a good price!

[usaf-lt-g]

Check with your local PCA chapter to find a trusted Porsche repair/alignment shop in your area. This should get you started: http://www.pca.org/

Also list the mileage on your car, and miles since new tires to help narrow down possible causes. So far it sounds like loose/damaged suspension components to me.

I tried conducting some searches on Zone13 (my region - Chicago). I couldn't find any links that pointed to or referenced good maintainence shops. I spose I should join PCA though.

[juniinc]

its just my opinion - chrome 's fading away,,, notice that Porrsche doesn't use any chrome body moldings or pieces, prolly P-engineers know its really tacky

If Porsche had chrome bumper/window moldings, I wouldn't have never bought one.

Silver Boxster w/ Black rims would look so nice! chrome wheels would be gross on her

Edited May 27, 2008 by juniinc

[usaf-lt-g]

its just my opinion - chrome 's fading away,,, notice that Porrsche doesn't use any chrome body moldings or pieces, prolly P-engineers know its really tacky

If Porsche had chrome bumper/window moldings, I wouldn't have never bought one.

Silver Boxster w/ Black rims would look so nice! chrome wheels would be gross on her

Hmmm that, actually looks really sharp, minus the yellow headlights. Not a fan of those. but the wheels looks good.

[juniinc]

Yup that SILVER 986 looks pretty tight , I might have to say,,,

I've seen more than several SILVER 986/996'S w/black rims around. Obviously they all had a good taste + look very sharp.

Edited May 27, 2008 by juniinc

[usaf-lt-g]

Yup that SILVER 986 looks pretty tight , I might have to say,,,

I've seen more than several SILVER 986/996'S w/black rims around. Ovbiously they all had a good taste + look very sharp.

I like the black vents on the back, and the black hood. Pretty sharp. I'm considering getting the body painted Orange instead of it's silver color now, kinda like the Special Editions Boxsters, and then having some of the inside interior accented in the orange as well. I figured it would look extra sharp.

[juniinc]

It would be interesting to see something like this for a 986

untitled.bmp

[usaf-lt-g]

It would be interesting to see something like this for a 986

untitled.bmp

That's actually PRECISELY what I'm aiming for, except I also want to put on the TA Wide Body kit... i found it for $5000 unpainted, so I"m considering it, and there's a guy I know that can use carbon fiber methods to mold the kit to the body in such a way that makes it look seemless and not just a bunch of stuck on parts.

[azzar0]

It would be interesting to see something like this for a 986

untitled.bmp

That looks like a 987. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just get a 987 instead of getting the body parts to dress up a 986?

Or are you referring to the color?

Edited May 27, 2008 by azzar0

[usaf-lt-g]

It would be interesting to see something like this for a 986

untitled.bmp

That looks like a 987. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just get a 987 instead of getting the body parts to dress up a 986?

Or are you referring to the color?

just the color. i dig the orange ;)