996 "Structure Creaks"

So I've had my '03 C4-S for about 2 weeks now. Now I have read a bunch about creaks and rattles here on this board and I think I have one coming from somewhere behind the front seats. I suspect it's in the headliner behind the sunroof. HOWEVER, yesterday I noticed a much more troubling sound. My driveway is long and made of stone. The surface is more hard than soft and has some irregularities to it. Because of the stone I drive very slow in 1st gear down to the street. As the car slowly goes over the mild bumps it sounds like the entire body is creaking! To me it sounds like the the windshield moving in its frame or the back window or both! I noticed it also happened when going up a driveway apron at a 3 quarter angle. I'm not happy with the prospect of more squeaks and rattles than average but having the feeling that the structure is flexing is not sitting well with me. Especially when you consider being a coupe, a Porsche, a sports car, and no hatchback I would expect the 911 configuration would provide one of the stiffest structures around just by virture of design. Has anybody heard this type "creaking"? Creaking is the right word for the sound. It doesn't sound like some of the minor interior pieces that might have a TSB issued.

Yup, I have the same in my MY2003 Coupe. I think it is the back window, the same thing was common in the 993. My local dealer will hopefully be fixing it soon Gary Redhill - England

Did the dealer confirm it was from the back window? Is there a known fix or TSB? I haven't mentioned it to my dealer yet. I wanted to make sure it wasn't temporary and I wasn't going crazy! I really can't tell where it's coming from. One second it sounds like the windshield and the next the back.

Could it be temp related?

I don't think it's temp related. It has been mostly very cold here 30 degrees on average. But when I noticed the noise Sunday it was about 55 or 60. If anything I think the warmer weather makes things more pliable and less likely to make noise? Am I correct in assuming that?

There is a TSB for creaking/rattling front windshield. It's a problem I have but mine sounds more like a vibration rattle. It is caused by the plastic dashboard rubbing on the windshield. The fix is to stuff some material in the gap to keep them apart. I get a creaking in the roof when the car frame flexes first thing in the morning.

I'll mention it to the dealer. Kind of dissapointing.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

I have an '03 Coupe. I also have a couple of squeaks and rattles, but none that sound like the structure or the windshield. Mine are the glovebox, the driver's window air vent, and somewhere in back of the driver, sounds like a seat back or the back seat belt. They are all temp related.

&gt;&gt; The fix is to stuff some material in the gap to keep them apart. &gt; Kind of dissapointing.... What, you buy a brand new $75,000-$100,000 car and you don't expect you'll have to jam some stuff in a crack or two to keep it from creaking? Just kidding

I have a similar annoyance on the 993, it is for sure temperature related to the window glass seals. I wonder how much the roll-over bar/half cage improves structural integrity with the 996?

What is the TSB number for this? I just started getting that creaking sound and it's driving me nuts. I took it to the dealer, and they lubed the seal around the windshield but it didn't do anything to stop it. I'm sure it will go away when the weather is warmer, but 'til then it's driving me nuts.

My car did this when new, and drove me nuts (windshield creak). The dealer said it would go away, and it did...

[QUOTE=LanceK]So I've had my '03 C4-S for about 2 weeks now. Now I have read a bunch about creaks and rattles here on this board and I think I have one coming from somewhere behind the front seats. I suspect it's in the headliner behind the sunroof. Lance... Be patient and tackle them one at a time. I had the same problem with sounds and rattles in my car and it really pissed me off...then I took them on one at a time. My car's interior now is as quiet as a baby's bedroom. The rear sound MAY be coming from the sunroof area or it may be coming from the long trim panel which is either covered in leather or vinyl depending on your car's configuration. The trim panel is directly under the rear window resting on the rear shelf. The piece is easily removed. It is held in place by 5 clips. One is dead center and two more on each side of center evenly spaced. Gently pull the piece out and set it aside. Drive the car a day or two and see if that noise you speak of goes away. if it does, the fix is very simple. Wrap each clip (male part) with some felt tape that you can get at Porsche for abot 2.00 a roll. Wrap the male ends once or twice with the tape. Re-install the trim pice. it should fit tighter now stopping the noise. If the problem is in the sliding roof behind and toward the rear of the ceiling you may have a power cable that needs to be wrapped or re-fitted. Unless you feel comfortable taking the slider out take it to Porsche for warranty repair. The windshield rattle is the easiest fix in the world and I am surprised that Porsche hasn't done it. The windshield is bonded to the car's frame. Between the glass and the frame, Porsche inserts rubber rope. Sometimes this rope needs to be replaced or a second row of rope needs to be added. I did the fix myself in 20 minutes with the rope called out in TSB 6420 and costs about 15.00 and a cheap plastic spatula that you can get in the paint depatment at Home Depot for 1.00. This TSB applies to earlier models, but I have done the 'upgrade' in newer cars as well. It also applies to the rear windshield. Two strands of rubber rope packed into the channel does the trick. Send me your email and I will send you the TSB. I also have a TSB somewhere on sounds coming from the sliding roof area which may or may not apply in your case. Buy an inexpensive stethescope as well and have a friend drive your car while you go hunt for the sounds. People will stare at you when you drive buy, but hey, everyone knows P/car drivers are nuts anyway. Jim

The TSB for the front and rear windshield is 6420. The rattling 'plastic dashboard' you are speaking of is the defroster panel that buts up close the windshield. This rattles in many P/cars. Its a fitment problem that is easily fixed by removing the plastic piece and then placing some thin cushioning tape (felt) at various positions around the panel. Works just fine and all is quiet again. Jim

TSB 6420

Jim, How about the storage lids in the doors?

Do yours rattle?

oh yeah. especially on 217, where the pavement granule size is about the same as a sugar cube.

sounds like one of the windows

you can put your hand on the compartment lid and it stops.

Jim I sent you a PM. Please send me that TSB!

Hi Lee... I hate 217!! You can remove the lid...its not to difficult then re-install it. Its just a poor adjustment fit. You can remove the lid in about 10 minutes then re-install it or you can do what Sunset does for all their complaints about rattles...FELT TAPE...hey, it works. There are two sizes I think...here are the part numbers: 993-555-545-00 and 996-613-151-00-A02. Each is about 2 bucks a roll. Jeff will help you. If you PM me your email I'll send you the door oddment lid schmatic. Jim

My 2000 996 creaked over uneven surfaces escpecially at low speeds.....It drove me nuts! I sold it and got a 997 that has a weird thud sound coming from the rear. I will get it in to the dealer so they can say they fixed it but I am sure they wont ever figure it out!

I have a 996T, but I also have the same problem that you guys have too. I'm also thinking it's pretty normal at this point. It's even worse when you have aftermarket suspension. When I turn into my driveway I'm also in 1 st gear and crawling. Then everything starts creaking and moaning, especially the headliners, and near the front struts. I hope the 997s are better...

has anybody experience a ticking noise coming from the roof liner inside the cockpit about 6-12 inches behind the sunroof... the "ribs - span the width of the liner" that seem to line the roof sometimes move and make a ticking noise when the car is in motion... I managed to replicate the sound of the "ticking" by pushing on of the ribs... I think I got it... is there a TSB for this particular fix? thx Pete

I hear a rattling sound coming from the roof area between the sunroof lid and the rear window. It is loud and distinct...but only when the temperature is about 50 or lower (strangely enough). Anyway, JimPDX seemed to describe this issue earlier in the thread, and identified it as "a power cable that needs to be wrapped or re-fitted" that Porsche can fix/readjust under warranty. JimPDX, any additional comments on this problem?

That pretty much sums it up. Next service mention it. There have been a few TSB's on the subject, "Sliding Roof Noises" and "Sunroof Drive Motor/Work on SLiding Roof"...They should be able to provide you with a copy and do the servicing. Two weeks after I got my car I noticed the sliding roof as it was opening would make a loud thud. After I would close it every once in a while I'd hear something moving around in the roof area toward the windshield. Removing the roof was beyond my ability. Took to the shop, they repositioned some cables or moved them and its worked fine since then...no noise. Jim Jim

Jim.. I just bought and drove from Dallas to WI an '02 c2 with a definite slapping sound in the headliner when the sunroof is open and driving slowly over a rugher surfaced road. I'd love to see the contents of TSB 6420. I'm hoping this will be a warranty issue as it's pretty loud and my '87 930 never made a squeak at all..Thanks!

I still have an annoying creak/squeak sound coming from the dash area. I removed one of the defroster vent covers (and broke it) and I still hear this noise and it's DRIVING ME CRAZY! I guess I need to get a piece of hose or something to try and isolate its source. The sound is as if two of the plastic pieces were rubbing together. Almost like the sound you hear when you tie a balloon into different shapes.

Did you get my email about the side vent cover with diagram?

yes. I thought I responded. Another project for the list. I'm not sure if taking the lids off and fiddling with them will solve the problem, b/c they rattle against their seats. I'm afraid felt tape will turn to a sticky mess over time.

Yep...you responded...I was asking Paul if he got the schematic I sent him on the side vent... There is such a small amount of 'stickum' on the tape that it shouldn't be a problem.

Jim, I emailed you back several times and the emails keep getting returned. My noise isn't coming from the side vent covers. When I get the replacement defroster cover, I'm going to go to the dealer and ride with the guy so that he understands what sound I'm talking about. It's supposed to rain here all week, so that may make it difficult to isolate though.

The factory book I have has several bulletins, (probably like 20 or so) just for squeaks and some there is no bulletins for, the one noise I didn't see mentioned in the post is for the side rear windows, the glass can contact the metal rivets on the body side seal and squeak. but it is up to having a good tech know the books and bulletins and the cars. I went to an independant shop as I got sick of seeing the dealers hiring hack Jiffy lube, grease monkeys, who shouldn't be holding a wrench, giving them $10 an hour to "fix" problems, usually they create more squeaks and rattles than they fix when tearing your dash out to fix the squeaking knee bar, then I have to go back and fix their work, then the customer (you) is pissed because (and rightfully so) it wasn't done right the first time, or got worse.. The dealers just don't want to pay the good techs what they are worth to keep them. I like squeaks they are pretty easy to fix and you get to the point where you know what it is just from the sound it makes when you go for a ride with the customer.

I too have a TT coupe ('04) w/sunroof, now with about 10,000 miles. In the past 500 miles, I hear a creak going over inclines (e.g., driveways) at an angle. It seems associated with the car's body torquing. I can't really tell where it's coming from, but it sounds like it's coming from several different locations. I'm going to have the dealer check it out next time I take it in.

Hi Paul... I'll check into the email problem... OK its not a "creak" at the windshield. Its not a "rattle" at the defroster and its not coming from the temp vent...but its more the sound of balloons rubbing together...kind of a squeek...Right? Are you positive---absolutely positive that it is coming from the front dash area and not the rear area like the rear shelf area of the car. That is the only place I had a squeek which was a fit problem from the rear trim panel that rests on the rear shelf below the windshield. Is it possible its coming from the rear and you think it might be coming from the front? Jim

My '99 coupe also has an annoying creaking sound whenever crawling up and down an incline (i.e. driveway) at an angle. Except the creaking noise sounds more like a metal cable stretching, kind of like the sound you hear when you're pulling up a boat anchor. As far as I can tell, it's coming from the rear driver side. The dealer claimed it was a bad rear strut and replaced it, but that didn't resolve the creaking. I can live with the noise, although I'd still like to know the root cause. Anyone else have this type of "metal cable" creaking?

My '82 Sc creaks too when it has for instance 1 wheel on the driveway, or while driving on a bumpy road. Nothing changed in 30 years so it seems

I had a similar noise many moons ago. I thought it was the dash, but it was actually the windshield. You can also do this with the rear windshield as well. Try this: get some Pedro's ice wax (from your local bike shop) and put it under the seal on the outside of your windshield. That is, on the outside of the car, there is a black seal around the windshield. Use a stiff kitchen spatula and lift the flap up just a bit. Squirt the Ice Wax under the entire seal around the windshield. Then go back with the spatula and kind of "mush" the ice wax in. If the noise goes away, you have a bad windshield gasket. Cheap fix with the OEM rope gasket replacement. Takes about 30 minutes and bucket of soapy water. BUT, the ice wax treatment will last you a few months at least. You can simply reapply until you run out of the Wax - and then replace the gasket. Here is my post from RennList about this issue: As it turns out in most cases -> the noise that appears to be from the dash is actually sound from the windshield moving and creaking. This was a common complaint with the 993. It reappears in some older 996's (mine included). The "6420" is a technical bulletin (Technical Service Bulletin-> TSB) put out by Porsche addressing this problem. TSB 6420 called "Noises in the Wind Shield and Rear Window Area". You can get it TSB's from Renntech. If you haven't joined there, you should, it's a great resource. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...tsbs&code=menu If you read the TSB, to fix this you need part number 996 541 903 00. One per windshield. It costs $15.00 from pelican parts, or any other parts place (even the dealer). It takes 15 minutes to do it yourself - all all you need is a spatula and a bucket of soapy water. Now the reason that I said it was a good thread - was because you would never find the right search phrase "6420" without some SERIOUS hunting. Now ask me how I know -td <-- replaced the gasket and there were no more creaks -> dash, windshield, headliner, or other