Steering / front end questions

This is something I've noticed recently and wanted to get some ideas. When on the highway (60 mph+) I've noticed the steering feels a little "light" or maybe "squirrely". I'm not sure how best to characterize it, other than to say I notice the front end wandering just a bit based on steering input. I know that doesn't explain much, but let me qualify a little: the steering wheel doesn't vibrate at all the steering wheel doesn't have any play in it at all the steering feels sharp and normal at lower speeds (< 50mph) the steering responds directly to inputs So its really just an odd feeling. I don't think anything is loose, but I'm wondering if maybe the front end needs an alignment. The car only has 17.5k miles (4.5k of them mine), but it is 3.5 years old. Suggestions?

This has been observed and discussed by a lot of 996 drivers. Here's my recommendation of how to address your problem: 1. Do a search here and on Renntech for 'light steering'. There's a bunch of threads that discuss all the ways that owners used to resolve their problems. 2. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. 3. Get your wheels very very very properly balanced. 4. Get a 4 wheel alighnment that is very very very properly administered. Since you don't have a noticeable vibration, it's my best guess that an alignment will serve you best. Try not to spend more than $250, though there are horror stories of guys paying upwards of $500 at dealerships. Good luck.

Edward - thanks, I wasn't sure what to search on. I verified pressure after I replaced the rear tires - I'm running 38/44 right now I think (+/- 0.5), but I can re-verify. I haven't had the fronts off since I got the car, so it is possible they are not balanced. I don't visit the dealer for alignment issues, Gran Turismo East ( http://granturismoeast.com/ ) is considered my lots of folks to be the best in the SE US and handle many high-end exotics. I'll probably schedule a visit with them if pressure is normal.

Right off the bat, I'd lower your pressure in front to 34lbs and your rears to 42lbs for starters (it's my personal preference....the car feels more planted and stickier). But, in thinking about what your sensing, I really believe that the alignment is going to be your solution.

I had the same light feeling when I bought my P....made me feel very uncomfortable (almost unsave) at speed above 70mph. I recently lowered my P and it feels so much better now....danger is that I am driving way to fast without even noticing. I paid $150 for 4 wheel alignment

At first I had to double-check and make sure I had the aero front bumper since I have the OEM wing and I know it can cause issues. I wondered if a splitter up front would help it feel planted and help take out some understeer at speed. I'll try lowering the pressures, but now that I think about it I may have them at 36/42 - I'll check and modify.

Doug, if that Porsche in your sig is your car, then it does NOT appear to have the aero kit front bumper. Check out the picture of my car or Dell's and you'll see what it looks like. Here's the link to my introductory post and you'll see some photos. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/236357-new-ride-in-new-york-city.html

suspension would REALLY help.... the stock suspension makes the car feel very light, especially at higher speeds

The culprit may be a slightly bent rim. I've noticed a strange feeling in the front end at speeds above 85 for a while, not really a shake but just something not right. Got new rims today, dealer showed me a bend in the rim when balancing the old one. Said the effect would be an unsettled feeling at a certain speed. Turns out the rear was bent too, but he said that wouldn't have much of an impact. You might want to see if your front rims are straight & true (as they say)...

Damn, Edward....now that you mention it, you are right. I could have sworn I looked at the factory nose and thought it was different than mine so I didn't bother to look up the full aero kit pictures. So it looks like I have the side skirts, OEM wing, and factory front bumper minus the front spoiler. Guess I should spend more time looking at the pictures more closely. I think that would be a definite cause of too much lift in the front. I think I remember looking at this picture and thinking the only difference was the wing. I still don't notice the spoiler like I do on your picture - maybe its the color or resolution. This one and yours are much more easily noticeable, and upon further inspection I think the red 996 has the factory bumper without spoiler too.

Yeah, Doug, the red color in the photo above is a little drawn-out and faded so it's hard to see the details. So, frankly, given that you have the taco wing in back (which creates a LOT of down-force at speed), I would definitely consider purchasing the OEM Aero Kit I front bumper and lip (the little black plastic bumper lip that will also help protect against scratching). While you can't see one in my photo, I ordered one from Sunset after seeing pictures of Dell's upgrade (though he did the MKII version which requires a little adjustment and drilling). Be forewarned, the OEM parts are not inexpensive, but I definitely think they are the best way to go. Thereafter, I think it'd be worthwhile to get an alignment anyhow. These cars are such precision instruments that little changes can make all the difference.

Hmm...I'm not a real big fan of the OEM aero front (no offense ), so do you think there are any others that would be suitable? I also don't think I have the "taco wing" - instead I have the non-aero kit OEM one (see attached), but I agree that a rear wing of any type without the front spoiler is not a good idea.

You could try going with the AERO Kit II style. But, from the British Porsche web site , your rear wing is designed to work in concert with the front aero bumper that you don't really love. But, it's important to remind you that Porsche spends a ton of R&D on aero design to ensure that the car handles exactly as it should. My worry with 3rd party is that they are not as diligent. You might find it very helpful to talk to the guys at PCA (send in a letter to Joel Reiser) or do a search over at Renntech to see what Loren has to say.

All very true. I'll have to do some legwork. I wonder what the front aero bumper runs - I haven't seen it sold individually so far.

Get the aero II front and swap your wing. aero II is designed specifically for your car (02+)