Gen 2 annoying noises from the rear! - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

A few months ago my Cayman was rattle/knock free but now it does it quite a lot, it’s definitely from the rear and occurs when either the front right or rear right wheels pass over rough tarmac (i.e. slight changes in road surface but not present over big bumps). I would describe it as a light knocking sound which can happen very quickly and in succession, it possibly sounds like plastic but I’d only be guessing. A-none extensive list of things I've tried includes: removed the boot privacy cover removed the tail light covers lengthened/shortened the tailgate bump stops (though I mind maximum extension is better even if it means it takes two attempts to close the hatch) checked the foam padding around in the brake light checked the plastic cover on the tailgate is tight checked the roof lining checked all the rear plastic trim is tight checked for loose components in the engine bay Finally I stuffed some foam above the strut mount cover and the roof lining and wahey, one fewer rattle. Unfortunately the most annoying one is still present, and it’s got me thinking that this could be a suspension issue? Picture for comedy value. So my question is, does the gen 2 still suffer from the same s tty suspension life as the gen 1? If so is this something I can identify by removing the wheel and inspecting the bushes? I know these are sports cars and some resonance/creaking is expected from the stiff chassis and big wheels but this is beyond that, like I said it used to be silent so maybe as the mileage has crept up to 28k its become all too much for Porsche engineering. Car is going to OPC soon, if they can't/won't fix it I shall go to TECH9 or Nine Meister as both are local. Any way I look forward to fitting my 18" wheels soon, as that should make the car a bit friendlier in the 'real world'. Cheers

Sounds like possible drop links, not super expensive. Will get spotted when the suspension gets looked at no doubt.

From 85k in a Gen 1 I can only assure you that the rattle will not be coming from where you think. You'll need a passenger listening through a piece of hose, moving it around the rear space, if you want to pin down the noise. If you can be bothered. Some will be along in a minute to tell you to either: a. turn the volume up on the stereo b. rev the engine harder to mask the noise

I believe I've jinxed myself as the left hand side is now starting to make gentle thuds when going over small imperfections in the road. To be honest I can live with it as I love the car but really its shoddy on a car as expensive as these are. Having done a lot of googling it appears many people do just have to live with it, as some have replaced loads of components to no avail or for it to come back 3 months later. Funnily enough I dont notice them with the music on but when I've got a passenger its embarassing.

As already posted don't be surprised if the noise is coming from somewhere other than where you think. I had a noise in mine which I was utterly convinced was coming from either the dashboard or the door card, but at times I'd also thought it was coming from somewhere in the back of the car . As soon as a technician went out though he identified the noise as coming from the passenger seat. I think the problem the Cayman has it that sounds echo around the car quite badly. Like in any car it's also easy to convince yourself a noise is coming from somewhere, so I do think a fresh pair of ears is always a good idea. One of the obvious problems with noises from the rear of the Cayman though is that it's quite hard to get near them due to the lack of rear seats. In many ways I actually think mine is pretty solid but there does seem to be a variety of noises which come and go and are really hard to pin down. Dealer prices are so expensive it's also not really an option to go back to an OPC for a fix unless you're confident of where the noise is coming from - or they can isolate it for you. I think the main problem is down to the harsh suspension and with the state of our roads I actually find the car quite hard to drive fast due to the din that bumps and potholes tend to cause. The 981 is meant to be much better but I may well move mine on next year for something a little 'softer' as used prices are holding up so well. I do worry though that anything else will feel somewhat numb.

Dolf you are absolutely right. Thanks for input, glad its not just me. I love the car, but yes it is stiff and it is a compromise and yes everything else is boring!

It's a long shot but having re-read your original post it's definitely not the passenger seat? Quite a few people have moaned about it vibrating over uneven surfaces as opposed to large bumps. One way to find out is to see if the noise is still present when you've got a passenger. One other weird suggestion - is there any difference when it rains? I ask this as seals and suspension components can behave / sound quite different when it's wet. I know mine is much quieter in the damp.

No it still happens with a passenger and just as noisy in the wet. A (slightly) scientific test I can use to demonstrate the issue is drive over a cats eye with the left hand wheels - silence! Do the same with the right and its clunk clunk!

To completely eliminate 'trunk clunk', try driving it down the road with the hatch open.

Have you ruled out the rear tuning fork arm? When they go they start to sound like snooker balls.

Snooker balls, that does sound similar. Can you expand on the fork arm? A picture would help, cheers.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/images/products/600x60...

Cheers I'm happy to say I now have a Cayman with an almost silent interior, or at least I did until the temperature started to drop this week. My tailgate which has previously been silent makes a terrible rattling noise now the rubber bumpers have got a bit cold. They were at their maximum extension so I've wound them in a bit, it's not really fixed it though. Not sure what to do.

If it's a rubber seal then put some gummi pflege on it.

JUst googling it, looks good stuff thanks for the heads up.

gummi pflege. Subtle, but its helped. Cheers once again.