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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH996 front clunking noise
Reported repair
Replace lower control arms and it
Reported resolution
1
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that report a fix
1
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Reported fix
In the end I replaced the lower control arms and it solved the problem.
Leading evidence: 'Replace lower control arms and it' (1 discussions report resolution; 0 report an unsuccessful attempt). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'lower control arm' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace lower control arms and it' (1 discussions). For that action, 1 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. The most frequently reported fix is 'Replace lower control arms and it', supported by resolution reports in 1 discussions. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Discussions that report identifying a cause
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Reported cause
i just had the same exact thing happen to mine, it was the lower control arm.
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Reported cause
When i have had a problem with the front ball joints the noise was more like a creaking noise and when i heard a few months ago a clunking noise i finally found that the problem was the upper control arm the one that bolt from the lower control arm to the body....really an easy change...
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Installed RoW M030 and new drop links, inspected all other components, all look fine.
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Suggestion
If you go with the GT3 arms you have the added advantage of being able to adjust your camber with shims (in case your lowering has caused geometry problems).
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Reported cause
When i have had a problem with the front ball joints the noise was more like a creaking noise and when i heard a few months ago a clunking noise i finally found that the problem was the upper control arm the one that bolt from the lower control arm to the body....really an easy change...
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.
26 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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i have a metallic clunking noise coming from the front left side,, the clunking occurs on bumps, slow turns and elevation,, i also hear when i park the car once i get out of it,, yes i am heavy,,
the car is slammed down on coilovers,, upgraded swaybars,,
please,, help,,
You might want to inspect the ball joints on the lower control arms. It's not unusual for these to wear out and cause the type of noise you described. Otherwise, generally inspecting the torque for all suspension components will help track down any loose components.
-Shawn
Mine has been doing this for at least a couple of years. Installed RoW M030 and new drop links, inspected all other components, all look fine. Still have the same noise. I'm almost convinced its something loose in the frunk, but all looks secure.
I just ignore it now.
Upper strut mounts- they are a wear item. Search is your friend. Incidentally, "slammed" is what you do to a Honda or Subaru. "Lowered" is a little better when referring to a Porsche. I'm just sayin'...
Honestly, your description is exactly what I heard/experienced. I checked every linkage and connection. In the end I replaced the lower control arms and it solved the problem. I couldn't even see the damage to the boot until I had things pulled apart. I had just ruled everything else out. As you can see from Down South's experience he replaced everything except the control arm...and still has the noise. If you go with the GT3 arms you have the added advantage of being able to adjust your camber with shims (in case your lowering has caused geometry problems).
From my experience, there are 4 possibilities here (all mentioned above).
I would look at them in order of accessibility and in some ways cost.
1. Sway bar links - easy to look at or remove and look at
2. Anti roll bar bushes
3. Lower arms and finally
4. Top strut mounts
Is there a difference between lower control arms and tie rod ends? Supposedly inner TREs are the clunking cause often cited. The strut mounts and bearings and ARB bushings cause a creaking noise, like an old wooden ship, not clunking.
When i have had a problem with the front ball joints the noise was more like a creaking noise and when i heard a few months ago a clunking noise i finally found that the problem was the upper control arm the one that bolt from the lower control arm to the body....really an easy change...
Robert
2000 C4
A couple of questions: If the control arm is the problem, would it have been noticed during an alignment? If the top strut mount is the curprit, is it usualy inspected when replacing the strut?
My FL lower control arm's ball joint was "creaking" just as you described, there was no clunking noise at all though...bought the oem Porsche part new online for under $200 shipped!
Easy to test but you will have to take the arm out and then play with the big ball joint and you will here the clunking noise...5 minute job.....
Part number # 996.341.043.06
Good luck
When my suspension "clunked" a few years ago, in my case it turned out to be one upper strut mount. Replaced both and clunk went away and has not returned. I still have my original upper and lower tie rods/forks/whatever you want to call them.
So as we can all see from the prior responses and repairs, there is definitely more than one possibilty.
Which lower arm are you guys talking about? The control arm with the ball joint on the end (996.341.053.17), or the forked control arm link (996.341.043.06)?
The above posts talk about ball joints, but refer to the part number for the link.
Also, are there any suppliers that should be avoided when purchasing replacement parts?
Thanks,
Graham
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