HELP, front end flles skittish

[vwillo1]

2001 996 C2, Tip, Factory option 7.5X18 with 225/40s on front (rim seems narrow for tire size) and 265/35s on 10X18s rear, freshly balanced. Above 80MPH steering feels skittish, wandering, floaty, loose, etc. Lots of slight steering input needed. @ 120MPH made me nervous. Is it just me or does the C2 have a nervous front end? I expected it to handle very reasuringly and feel steady at that speed. Just moved up from a suspension mod'ed 06 Mustang GT which I routinely ran up to 120+ very smoothly. Do I just need an adjustment period from a front to a rear engine car? I definately FEEL more steering input from the front tires. ANY insight appreciated.

[jmj996]

Not sure about your tire sizes as I have 17" wheels, but from your description, it sounds like it's an alignment issue. You have a type of alignment used for track/DE events - either little or no toe-in. See if you can measure your toe-in yourself and start from there.

At those speeds, you will want more front downforce as well - for your comfort level, at least get a GT3 spoiler lip or swap out the entire front bumper cover for a GT3 or aftermarket bumper cover.

[wross996TT]

I would get the suspension checked out...also check rubber and inflation pressures...in any case this is not typical. What are the road conditions like?

[vwillo1]

I would get the suspension checked out...also check rubber and inflation pressures...in any case this is not typical. What are the road conditions like?

new tires, 36Front 44Rear, smoother dry interstate, doesn't feel like something is amiss mechanically, I just inspected everything, just not planted slight front end sway requiring constant steering wheel input which I am not use to.

[roadsession]

So coming from BMW and Mercedes, I have to say the Porsche initially feels more 'nervous' at very high speeds because of the shorter wheel base and the very sensitive suspension and steering.

As I drive it more I realize it is really just a more involved driving experience - and can carve the road more accurately at high speeds.

It is not a cruiser - but it makes it much more fun to drive.

Maybe you're just not used to it yet?

In any case you should definitely get the alignment checked.

[ericinboca]

2001 996 C2, Tip, Factory option 7.5X18 with 225/40s on front (rim seems narrow for tire size) and 265/35s on 10X18s rear, freshly balanced. Above 80MPH steering feels skittish, wandering, floaty, loose, etc. Lots of slight steering input needed. @ 120MPH made me nervous. Is it just me or does the C2 have a nervous front end? I expected it to handle very reasuringly and feel steady at that speed. Just moved up from a suspension mod'ed 06 Mustang GT which I routinely ran up to 120+ very smoothly. Do I just need an adjustment period from a front to a rear engine car? I definately FEEL more steering input from the front tires. ANY insight appreciated.

Here is my 2 cents...

The pressures you mention - 36/44 - seem high to me for street tires, but maybe that is what your set calls for.

On the track, we adjust the front toe to either 0 toe, or slight toe out, while most street cars are tuned to slight toe in. The toe out makes the car turn in better, but it does make the front end move around some on straightaways. I wouldn't say it feels skittish, but it does wander some.

[wwest]

So coming from BMW and Mercedes, I have to say the Porsche initially feels more 'nervous' at very high speeds because of the shorter wheel base and the very sensitive suspension and steering.

As I drive it more I realize it is really just a more involved driving experience - and can carve the road more accurately at high speeds.

It is not a cruiser - but it makes it much more fun to drive.

Maybe you're just not used to it yet?

In any case you should definitely get the alignment checked.

+1

And I would say "darty", quick and certain reaction to even the slightest stearing input, rather than skiddish.

My first reaction to driving my '78 "at speed" was to compare it to flying our Cessna 210, constant attention required, exceedingly tiring.

[davebigrims]

hi

i have the same tyre size and found the reduceing the pressure on the fronts to 32psi solved the front end a treat it now feels awesome

hope that helps

[vwillo1]

Yes, I would say wondering is a more apt discription.

[secretagent214]

It just caught my attention that you start to feel the car wandering at speeds above 80... I'm less familiar with the C2, but on the Boxster at least, the spoiler automatically raises at 80 mph (and lowers at 50 I think). Maybe the spoiler isn't working properly?

[vwillo1]

The spoiler is extending as I can see the lip in the rear view mirror. Excellent observation though.

[vwillo1]

My C2 has PSM (stability management) could it be fussing with my front end, ie trying to compensate for unequal tire spin over road imperfections? I wouldn't think the tires would ever lose enough contact or friction for that.

[ericinboca]

My C2 has PSM (stability management) could it be fussing with my front end, ie trying to compensate for unequal tire spin over road imperfections? I wouldn't think the tires would ever lose enough contact or friction for that.

I doubt you would feel PSM in the front end on a C2. I think it is really noticeable when it comes on and the yellow light illuminates when it is doing its thing. It is usually taking throttle away. What's more, unless you have a way wrong suspension set up, or something is really broken, your tires are unlikely to leave the road. (Not to keep bringing track cars into this, but I have yet to see a Porsche with a factory suspension loose contact with the road in turn 17 at Sebring, which is notorious for making poorly set up cars lose contact in the back because of its high speed and insane bumpiness.)

l lean toward alignment, tire pressure, tires.

[vwillo1]

I dropped the cold tire pressure down to 34F and 42R, car rides better city, will hit the "on ramp" in the morning.

[vwillo1]

Very suprised and happy, lower tire pressure made a huge improvement. Touched 125 and front felt solid. PS, I don't encourage speeding!!! just testing the issues I was having in the 75-90 range. (Sometimes you need to pass... Everything!)

[wross996TT]

Very suprised and happy, lower tire pressure made a huge improvement. Touched 125 and front felt solid. PS, I don't encourage speeding!!! just testing the issues I was having in the 75-90 range. (Sometimes you need to pass... Everything!)

Heck I'm not even in 6th gear yet...LOL

[vwillo1]

Added the GT3 lip spoiler to my C2

[AIB]

I have a 05 C2S... Have had the exact same issue for a year and had the dealership checked it like ten times and all the times they said everything is ok... But I assure it isn't....

Finally I found an independent Porsche specialist and he was very familiar with this problem on almost all Porsches. The problem is the stabilizer bar, they disassembled everything and inserted new bolts or rubber components (after time these components get loose and the car will sway and float making it a nervous experience at high speeds). Just got it fixed yesterday and already the whole driving is 100% better).

No more floating or swaying, the only thing I have left now to fix is small steering jerks when I'm at high speeds on slightly uneven roads (hard to explain but the I feel the steering wheel slightly jerking to the left and right, not too much but enough to bother me). Sending the car to fix this issue next week, might be an alignment issue or the steering needs some tightening up or a bent rim.

Trust me have your mechanic check out your stabilizer bar and you'll be very happy. Porsches are very responsive cars in terms of steering but you should feel confident and in control at most speeds!

Hope this helps,

Ali