25 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHThat annoying slow speed rattle
Reported or suspected cause
coffins
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Leading evidence: 'coffins' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'coffins' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check amplifier and the spare tire/tool kit' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
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Reported cause
It was the inner tie rods on my -98, had the exact same sound (only started to sound after the car got warm so after a couple of miles and only when going slow).
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I checked brakes, u-joints, CV joints, everything suggested.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Possibly the inners, since I checked the outers pretty well.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I had my wife turn the wheel while I checked tie rods, controls arms etc, from underneath.
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Reported cause
It was the inner tie rods on my -98, had the exact same sound (only started to sound after the car got warm so after a couple of miles and only when going slow).
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
25 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 1 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T161109Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Do you know the rattle I mean? Like a bottle is loose in my 996 C4S frunk?
It happens at slow speeds only on rough or cracked pavement.
So, after reading numerous posts, I installed the following new parts: strut mounts, strut mount bearings, bump stops, drop links, Bilstein B6s.
No luck.
But yesterday, while road testing some under dash rattle-proofing, I pulled and pushed hard on the steering wheel. There's really no free play, but I applied pressure. I could make it happen and/or make it worse.
So, I now suspect the tie-rods. Possibly the inners, since I checked the outers pretty well.
I'll have my wife pull on the wheel tonight while I'm underneath to confirm.
What do you think?
Mine does it too. I think it might be the control arm bushings. It's annoying but doing my muffler delete last year makes some of those annoying smaller noises harder to hear.
So, I think dporto may be right.
I had my wife turn the wheel while I checked tie rods, controls arms etc, from underneath. Nothing.
When she pulled or pushed the top of the wheel firmly, we got a little noise that is definitely above to steering shaft u-joint. Somewhere between the wheel and the firewall.
So, tomorrow, I'll pull the steering wheel and hope I see something.
It was the inner tie rods on my -98, had the exact same sound (only started to sound after the car got warm so after a couple of miles and only when going slow).
/L
Update...
So, I just finished a few days of rattle-finding. With my wife pulling/pushing firmly on the top of my steering wheel, I could hear "clicking". (This gets REALLY annoying while driving slow over rough pavement with normal hand position and pressure.)
I got under the car with the belly pan off and could feel it on the upper steering column, not near down the rack. She could make the noise only pulling forward or back, not side-to-side.
I removed the steering wheel and instrument panel. I tightened every nut and bolt I could reach in the dash. One bolt, connecting the column to the cast cross brace took 1/2 turn! That made me hopeful.
But nothing has changed. It's all back together and my road test was depressing.
It is not temperature dependent. Changing struts, strut mounts, drop links, strut bearings and bump stops have not helped.
What am I overlooking?
There was a post awhile back where the guy had a similar problem. It turned out to be the column (which I believe is in two or three sections before it attaches to the steering rack). I don't remember all the details, but I think he sourced a used column from a dismantler for a reasonable amount and fixed his problem... See here:
http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-p...section=403-05
it's also possible it's the u-joint...
Stupid as this may sound, did you check the amplifier and the spare tire/tool kit? When I don't wrap all the parts with the tool kit in a cloth, they rattle at slow speed. The amplifier could pop out at the top part of the brace too.
Thanks for the feedback.
The link that dporto sent is illuminating. Thank you. I see a number of possible sources.
Yes, my coffin arms are original. I've beat on them repeatedly from below. The source of the rattle seems more local to the steering column. I wish it was the coffins . Much easier to replace.
I'm clueless about how to remove the column and get at the shaft, but will continue to research.
Please send any tips.
Suspension noises can seem to “change direction” as they are transmitted through the chassis. If your coffin arms are original I would suggest you change them. Sway bar end links also can do this.
Unrelated but interesting - my 2003 Discovery II had a bad rear Watts link which is located in the center of the truck near the rear differential but the annoying clunks were felt directly under the driver side floor under the seat.
Keep at it, you’ll find the culprit.
Check to see if your brake pads have the backing plate installed. Sometimes on a rough surface the brake pads will "rattle" in the calipers if the pad backing plate is not installed (or worn out).
Thanks for all the suggestions. I've taken them all into consideration and checked them out.
At this point, the most likely source of noise is the steering column.
This Nickshu post seems to have given me the insight I sought.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-solution.html
If it's like his experience, it'll take a while to get the part (after thorough diagnostic confirmation). But I will update you as I progress.
Thanks again.
@mtnroads
Did you find your issue? I'm starting to lose my mind a little after replacing everything in the front end except the steering rack and the sway bar bushings and still have a rattle over small bumps at lower speeds. Larger bumps in the road like rail road tracks also create the noise. I'm not sure what to do next except take to an expert to diagnose? I'll probably get back under the front of the car and recheck every bolt again.
As mentioned in earlier posts, I changed strut mounts, struts, bump stops, drop links AND the entire steering column. I checked brakes, u-joints, CV joints, everything suggested. Nothing stopped the rattle.
I threw up a white flag and took the car ('03 C4S) to a well-reputed shop. After hours of diagnosis, they found a loose bolt buried in the dash, just out of reach during my steering column swap, between the rear column bracket and the windshield. It required the entire dash to be removed to access. It HAD TO BE a factory oversight. Once found, no parts were replaced, just properly tightening a bolt. They had my car for 3 weeks.
What are the odds that this could happen again? I don't know.
As I dove deeper into my saga, the most likely source of the rattle was the steering column. Good luck.
@mtnroads
Thanks for the reply and letting me know how this ended for you. I'm glad you found your rattle. This opens my mind to the possibility of something much less obvious.
Keep me/us posted. It's great to have a forum like this to turn to when we need it.
Good luck.
I hope that you will love your car again. I did once the rattle was fixed!
My 03 C4S at the shop with the entire dash removed.
@mtnroads
That picture with the dash out! I hope it doesn't come to this. I don't think it will. It seems the sound is coming from lower. Anyway, my goal this weekend is to find this noise! I will post here once I figure it out and yes, I will like it more then.
