"Creaky" right front strut?

[RJFabCab]

I track the car regularly and have recently noticed a "creaking" sound coming from the right front strut. It is only noticeable when turning the steering wheel. When driving straight ahead over road bumps... no noise. Sit at the stoplight and turn the wheel = noise.

It almost sounds like a creaking door. The three adjustment bolts on the strut are tight and show no signs of movement. The creak seems to come from the top portion of the strut just near the top of the spring. No signs of obvious damage or trauma.

Is this a lubrication issue? The car handles fine. Help with diagnosis is appreciated... thanks! :rolleyes:

Specs: '02 996 C2 Cab, RoW 030

[cmalana]

Used to happen with my 993 twin turbo when I had monoballs...lubrication was the fix for that particular instance.

Carlo

[Loren]

Could be a loose support mount or ball-bearing housing or the spacer not fully seated. Your car is pretty new to be having this sort of problem so I would consider taking it back to whomever installed the RoW M030 and asking them to check their work.

[RJFabCab]

Loren and cmalana... thanks for the replies. Porsche dealer did the install. The RoW 030 parts came from Andial in California.

Loren, the issues you mention sound like they are correctable with the current strut, correct?

I plan to take her to the dealer tomorrow for a full evaluation.

[clord]

996's have been know to have creak noises coming from the front strut top bearings. The weight of a front corner sits on a "ring" of small ball bearings between the top spring perch which rotates with the steering and the strut top mount which does not rotate. On my '99 C4, I had creak/groans when turning the steering at a stop after having the ROW M030 installed by a dealer. Dealer found some updated strut top parts for the old '99 and installed them on warranty. Fixed the groans.

[RJFabCab]

clord...

That sounds exactly like what's going on with my car. The noise appeared to be coming from the top part of the spring, right where it rotates with the steering input. Hmmm...

On your 99C4, they had to replace the parts? I wonder if that's what I'm in for versus a lube job up in there. We'll see.

Thanks. ;)

[Loren]

Craig is talking about a TSB for MY99 (and older) cars where they updated the upper strut mount (with bearing) and backup ring with a newer design. You should already have that newer design... but it still could have a problem.

[umn]

On your 99C4, they had to replace the parts?  I wonder if that's what I'm in for versus a lube job up in there.  We'll see. 

Hi,

the bearings can't be re-lubed, they have to be replaced. Known problem even with more recent MYs, usually fixed under warranty. If you have to pay for it yourself: the bearings are quite cheap, but they charge you for a couple of hours of work.

Cheers,

Uwe

Edited November 10, 2003 by umn

[RJFabCab]

Thanks for the info, Uwe.

[RJFabCab]

Update on my fix:

The dealer ended up replacing my right front strut bearing and then performed a front realignment.

Yee Haw. The car's as good as new! :cheers:

[BobbyBBB]

I have the same when I change the suspension at 95.000 km. But after the noise dessaper till this moment. I have 99700 km on my car in this moment.

[dirtydonki]

Mine creaks too but only in warm weather which is rare in Britain. :)

[Alfieboy]

I have a creak in the rear driver side, seems to come and go. Sounds like the springs on a bunk bed. Local dealer used a crow bar to jimmy up and down and replicated the noise but said they were unsure what it was and maybe needed lubricating. How many of you can say you're dealer went at your pride and joy with a crow bar. Hilarious!