Loose front end

I've got a 2001 996 C2. Owned for about 3 months and I love it. I took the car in for IMS/RMS fix and a few other updates/upgrades (if you need a shop outside Boston, South Shore Autoworks in Kingston is amazing) including new motor mounts. The work helped significantly tighten the rear of the car and it's now very smooth on the highway. However, at highway speed, I still feel as I did prior to the mechanics work a loose front. It seems to float and bounce a bit. What can I do to fix this? New tires, alignment didn't help. I do have a broken bump stop on front right....but don't think that would cause this issue.... Thoughts?

Float and bouncing without harsh thunking means your shocks are likely shot. You on the stock ones? How many miles? New ones would most likely help.

To me, an amazing shop would/should have been able to determine if something was off or normal...Did they inspect every moving part of the front end?

It's a 996, so in terms of age alone it's probably due for a suspension overhaul. Also, I recently mounted a 996 GT3 Cup front Splitter on my own C2 - there's a guide on 6speed - and it did make a noticeable difference in floaty-front-end-syndrome at Cali-speed-of-traffic. That may be something worth looking into. I find that the front end just looks better with it, as well.

The guys at South Shore Auto reminded me many many times about getting a new suspension and how much PSS10's would enhance driving experience. A new chain tensionor took away my budget for that. I didn't mention front float to them but it looks like the shocks/suspension are the issue.

A good PSS10 alternative is the product by FEAL suspension: http://fealsuspensionstore.com/produ...rsche-996-2wd/ For $1500 it even includes the camber plates!

OP, question... Does the car feel out of control at high speeds on the open highway? I mean, not your normal 65 to 70 mph speeds, but when you get it up well above 80 mph? When you say "float", does it feel like you'd lose control of the vehicle? Personally, IMHO, it's a combination of aging suspension (that needs service) and aero dynamics of the base C2 being a contributing factor. The thing you DON'T want is air building up under the car at higher speeds that could cause the nose of the car to lift; which in turn, could cause you to lose control of the car. That's one reason people change the front bumpers and add air splitters to promote better aerodynamics. But first things first, until you get the suspension serviced, keep your speeds in the safe range. Once you get the suspension fixed, test it out, if you're still not happy with the control at higher speeds, I'd encourage you to look at Porsche aero front bumpers and rear wing to promote downforce. Cheers!

My 02 996 race car has completely stock aero (no fancy bumper or even extra slots, no side skirts, stock decklid) and is totally solid at up to 146mph.

If your car has the original suspension and/or high miles it probably needs a suspension overhaul. Unfortunately it's going to add up quick, coilovers, sway bars, alignment, probably some control arms too, probably drop links. Welcome to the world of aging Porsches.

It doesn't feel loose as if I'd go out of control and I keep the car under 85 currently, so I should be ok. As for suspension, seems to be the culprit. Thanks for advice

After I bought my 99 996.1, I thought it handled like a Camry. I took it to three different shops and none of them found any real evidence of any issue. My car is 18 years old and only 50,000 miles. I replaced the tires and had an alignment performed and there was no change to the handling. While I do suspect that the suspension could be just old at this point, and I might have sagging motor mounts, after more driving, I noticed that the car's suspension setup was particularly compliant over very rough roads. My thought was that this particular 996 (a non-S, and a Cab), might just be more compliant and geared toward luxury than performance. I took the car to the track and it performed flawlessly. So while I do think that my particular car would benefit from a suspension overhaul, I also think my car sticks to the road and takes the turns on a track quite well. Before, I was concerned about weaving and bobbing on the highway, but on the track (at up to 135mph), it was excellent.

I have a 2003 C4S with brand new PSS10s on the front, I definitely feel floaty past 80 mph on roads, and it does feel like aero lift. I have the suspension on the lowest possible setting bilstein allows, which does not lower the car very much on the 4 models, maybe 3/4inch front and 1/2inch rear. However, I also don't have a front drive train, spare or tools up front, so I tohught maybe I just had too little weight, but the pss10s are sprung the same for a 996.1 C2 as a 996.2 c4s, I even called bilstein to confirm. Was thinking about lowering the spring rate with after market ones that drop from 255lbs/in to like 225. Car rips on the track though, and I had it up to 141 at poconos. It's really a crappy feeling wen the car is so tight, and all of a sudden it seems to lift up at 85 mph. I dont think the rear wing helps, and that maybe there is a bit of a level action going on. Maybe a full turbo lip would help, but then I'd scrape

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Thanks Garrett, This is the first I have heard of the Feal coilovers. Are you running them? Do you know if Feal makes the struts, or if they are based on another vendors units? Coilovers are in my future and so far the I have identified the H&R street performance as the best choice at this price point. Would be interested to know how these compare.

coilovers fixed that feeling for me.

White out, what brand?

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I agree with this, my non-race stock aero 996 is ok/solid up to 140mph on the track. I had the same unstable feeling (above 80mph) as you had when I bought the car. Changes that improved the situation dramatically-->Vogtland lowering springs, New RS3 tires with careful tire pressure adjustment, and finally GT3 lower control arms.

Ratchet, thanks for insight. How is noise, vibration, harsh ride with the lowering springs? I want some level of performance but won't be tracking the car. As such, don't want a back breaking ride (this is my daily driver). Any insight is appreciated...think bilstein but open to suggestions.

I would separate the modifications... Fr/Rr Lowering springs, and already had Bilsteins from previous owner-->Ride was good or even better (more controlled), no change in noise or other issues. Handling and steering improved, high speed stability dramatically improved. Tarett front camber plates, Tarett front drop links, GT3 Lower Arms with Monoball bushings-->Ride is fine, there is a significant mechanical sound from your suspension at low speeds. I personally like this sound, but some are surprised by the metal on metal noises. This will dramatically improve your steering feel and yaw response. Really good tires (I picked the RS3s), +10mm tire width, and a good alignment-->Transformation will be complete. Of course, there are many other good modifications that will gain further improvement. I would go slow and try the feeling of the changes until you are satisfied.

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For a street car that you want to be just a bit sportier/tighter feeling and a touch lower, the RoW M030 suspension with M030 sways is a hard combo to beat.

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Hi James - I have them on my 03 996 turbo. They are stiff, but that's not a surprise as they publish the spring rates (448/672 for the turbo) unlike most companies so you know what you're getting. You'd have to call them to find out where they get their parts since I know they build each system themselves including welding up the mounting and they service them for a fair cost, too.

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'99 - K sport with solid top hats '00 - Bilstein with rubber top hats turbo - Bilstein with rubber top hats Rubber top hats and Bilstein felt like a stock ride to me, but the cars handled great. The solid top hats were my favorite for feel though.

I installed the H&R sporto spring with Bilstein B8 shocks/struts and Tarrett monoball camber plates/topmounts in front, stock topmounts in the rear. Amazing difference in handling/ride comfort. My stock shocks were shot, as were the stock front topmounts. I got a 1" drop, and have since put H&R adjustable sways and Tarrett adjustable drop links... The whole package really transforms the car.

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So what happens at 147 mph? You get blasted back (or ahead) in time?

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Gets scared and backs off on the throttle!

So, I've got PSS10 Bilstein coilovers (installed by previous owner). Not sure if there are any other mods, but there are no receipts for any. Toyo tires with good tread. This happens to me as well. At about 85-90, the tires feel less firmly planted. The steering wheel doesn't shake exactly, but it seems more inclined to need adjustment. From what I'm hearing, I should look at redoing which parts of the suspension (tie rods, swaybars, etc.)? If it needs an different spoiler, I'm going to have to live with it.

Seems like the loose front end phenomenon is a thing I wasn't formerly aware of despite all my research. But, looks overcomable. The advice on what to do helps too. Trying to find right mix between better ride and daily driver acceptable (aka not tracking so no harshness/vibration). Bilstein seems to be answer as I get the feeling some options run harsh even if they make it tighter

I think most of the loose front end feeling is coming from worn 15 year old suspension components. I just went through it all with my 50k mile turbo. Lots of little things adding up to the loose feel. I'm certain that the car will be ok with a new OEM suspension.

^^ That, and a lot of folks aren't used to the way a 911 feels when it starts to go fast, which means the front end does get lighter as speed increases.

Possibly Murphy's law, though I owned a BMW m3 prior and never felt that front end lift at speed. Not sure why it's more prominent on the 996 (I've also driven a lot of other sports cars)

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Don't know... by then it is time to enter Turn 1.

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How many of the other "sports cars" you drove had the engine in the back? Its just part of the package. The engine (and it's weight) being in the back is definitely a different feeling - that doesn't mean it should feel "loose" by any means. The weight distribution and driving dynamics of a 911 (water cooled or not) are quite different than any other car. Learn how to drive it and it will reward you. Assuming you know how to drive it and treat it like any other car and it will surprise you very quickly (not in a good way). Good luck

^^^ Yeah that... And, not only in the back but beyond the rear axle. Many people mistakenly call the 911 a mid-engine car, but nothing could be further from the truth. It's truly a "rear-engined" car with very unique driving dynamics. With the weigh differential biased to the rear, when you punch it, the back of the car will hunker down giving way to light steering especially on the rear drive P-cars. The oversteer effect of the 911 has become deadly for lots of people and why the 930 was named the "widowmaker". Traction control and PCM has become the saving grace for the modern Porsche owner.

Well, B3 is 98% right as far as the 911 being rear-engined, although Porsche keeps cheating by sneaking it further forward with every iteration.

Very true dport, very true. I wouldn't replace the 911 and frankly am bitter I didn't make the move years ago. It's an amazing driving experience (even if rear engined takes getting used to)

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Wow, thanks Schnelly, that's the best grade I've gotten from you so far!

I went with the PSS10 and had my car aligned. I have learned there is more to throwing these cars on a rack and aligning. Contact Kenny he will fix you up. I know he is super busy but he will take care of any issues.