Metal on Metal sound from front end ?

[Berliner]

Hello.

I have a 2001 Boxster S, assembled in Finland, purchased in Canada.

I have had this metal on metal sound coming from the left front side of the car. It seems to come from between the drivers seat and the left front wheel. I can "feel" the vibration in the steering wheel (I think - I am getting really paranoid about this).

I had Speedway in Victoria check it out, asking them to check the front end and steering. They were not able to find anything wrong.

Oddly enough, for this noise to start the car needs to have been driven on the highway or it has to be a hot day in town.

I don't know anything about the mechanics of my favourite car of all time, but used to know about cars. Could the problem be rubber bushings for sway bars in the front ?

I am going back to the dealer as soon as I get back and try again.

Can someone suggest steps for me take to find this problem ?

Edited June 16, 2008 by Berliner

[KevinC]

I had a metallic clunking sound in my 2000 S which turned out to be bad front strut mounts. The rubber bushings in the upper strut mounts had deteriorated, allowing the shock rods to contact the metal portion of the strut mounts. The sway bars could also be the culprit. Check the drop link connections as well as the chassis mount points with the bushings.

[Berliner]

I had a metallic clunking sound in my 2000 S which turned out to be bad front strut mounts. The rubber bushings in the upper strut mounts had deteriorated, allowing the shock rods to contact the metal portion of the strut mounts. The sway bars could also be the culprit. Check the drop link connections as well as the chassis mount points with the bushings.

Thanks for your coments, I'll take them into the mechanic.

[Berliner]

The problem has been repaired - Front upper strut bearings, for $1100.

[Berliner]

The problem has been repaired - Front upper strut bearings, for $1100.

:renntech: I thought it was fixed, however, once I took it out onto the highway it makes that sound, still. It was at the dealers all day today, and they can't find it. They guarantee that it is safe to drive, so I'll drive it until something falls off.