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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHSteering feels "strange" on my 2002 C4S
Leading reported evidence
Check front wheels
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
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1
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Read evidence and context
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I checked the front wheels for wiggle, lifted up and pushed down on the front but couldn't really replicate the sound.
Leading evidence: 'Check front wheels' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check front wheels' (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.
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Suggestion
I concur with the above but while you're down there, you should also inspect the ball joints and tie rod for any play, especially if they are original.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Btw, if the case is a wheel bearing part that needs to be changed, do I ask to have all four corners done while at it, or maybe change in pairs at the least?
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Suggestion
Not sure if it will be of any help, but a "test" I was given when one of my cars (my '96 Mustang GT) was suspected of having a steering problem -- I forget the symptoms now but I do not think noises was one of them -- was to in a large parking lot at slow speed make a sharp u-turn.
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Suggestion
I concur with the above but while you're down there, you should also inspect the ball joints and tie rod for any play, especially if they are original.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Btw, if the case is a wheel bearing part that needs to be changed, do I ask to have all four corners done while at it, or maybe change in pairs at the least?
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Suggestion
Not sure if it will be of any help, but a "test" I was given when one of my cars (my '96 Mustang GT) was suspected of having a steering problem -- I forget the symptoms now but I do not think noises was one of them -- was to in a large parking lot at slow speed make a sharp u-turn.
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Suggestion
Not real expensive -- less than $500 IIRC -- but I listened to him and after a road test I told him which one I thought was the bad one and it agreed with his opinion so he replaced that one and that turned out to be the bad one.
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17 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
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Hi All,
Lately, the steering on my 2002 C4S doesn't feel as smooth as it did earlier. It's very difficult to explain exactly what the issue is... It just don't feel 100%
Basically, when I make a right turn coming out of a round-about, at certain speeds there, is a cyclical whining sound coming from the left front (I believe) and the steering feels like there are moving parts that are not lubricated or oiled if it makes sense? It's still firm meaning nothing is falling apart
It lasts for a split second but enough for me to notice.
What can this be? The suspension feels ok I guess (the car just passed the bi-yearly mandatory road worthiness test) but I just don't know.
Steering column? Differential?
Hard to say. If the sound is coming from the front, my initial concerns are the front differential or a front wheel bearing.
When the front differential failed on my C4S, it did make a whining noise. However, it was typically not when turning.
I concur with the above but while you're down there, you should also inspect the ball joints and tie rod for any play, especially if they are original.
Jack the left side of the car up and wiggle the front wheel. It sounds to me like the front left bearing is crapping out; any play in that wheel with the car jacked up would be further evidence.
Super... Thanks a million for your replies.
I gather a ball bearing replacement will not brake the bank but of course it could be something else lurking as well. Time to call my Porsche garage again I guess.
Thanks again guys
Could be a wheel bearing. You have already been advised of that and how to check.
Be sure the power steering fluid level is ok just to be thorough.
The front diff does not have LSD.
IIRC the fluid drain interval is 90K miles. But the description of the noise does not suggest to me a front diff problem.
I can also tell you that in some cases -- this with my Boxster now -- a sharp turn at low speeds, one that doesn't have the inside front tire scrubbing such as what it can do when making a sharp -- full lock -- turn at real slow speeds, manifests some kind of higher frequency pulsing that if I had the brakes applied would suggest to me the ABS is kicking in, albeit at a very fast activation rate.
However, I know it is not the ABS. Is it some slightly different manifestation of the scrubbing that occurs at slower speeds? Possibly. I know it is not a wheel bearing as I have encountered this behavior a number of times over the years and if from a wheel bearing the bearing would have failed long before now.
Fantastic info
@Macster
...
I sent a mail yesterday to the Porsche garage and hope they can take it in for service soon.
@PelicanParts.com
and
@5CHN3LL
I'm not really getting into the whole changing parts myself so leave it to the pro's, but thanks for the tips...
Btw, if the case is a wheel bearing part that needs to be changed, do I ask to have all four corners done while at it, or maybe change in pairs at the least?
If I was doing this myself and had to rent/borrow parts, I'd consider doing both fronts at once, but as you're going to take it to a shop, I don't think there is any savings to be had by doing two or more at the same time...
You can ask. In fact you can demand it as you are paying for it.
But it is not necessary. And it is a bit of money to do all 4.
When a wheel bearing on my 2002 Boxster turned up noisy at around 80/90K miles it was not certain which one it was. One of the rears but beyond that it was nearly a coin toss. I said to the indy shop owner just replace them both but he talked me out of it. Cost was one thing. Not real expensive -- less than $500 IIRC -- but I listened to him and after a road test I told him which one I thought was the bad one and it agreed with his opinion so he replaced that one and that turned out to be the bad one.
The other 3 bearings are just fine and that was around 200K miles ago. The 3 original bearings have over 291K miles on them. The "new" one has over 200K miles on it.
Up to you and the shop I guess but just replacing the noisy one, the bad one, if it is a bad bearing, can be sufficient.
So mine has a "knocking/creaking" sound from the front. I thought it was only when I braked but it seems to be noticeable when coasting too. I checked the front wheels for wiggle, lifted up and pushed down on the front but couldn't really replicate the sound. The car is currently on a lift for something else and I asked the tech about it. Thinking it might be steering rack related.
Not sure if it will be of any help, but a "test" I was given when one of my cars (my '96 Mustang GT) was suspected of having a steering problem -- I forget the symptoms now but I do not think noises was one of them -- was to in a large parking lot at slow speed make a sharp u-turn. As the turn completes release the wheel and let it find its "center". Carefully and precisely note the position the wheel assumes after the turn.
Repeat this several times in both directions. If the wheel doesn't center the same place every time that can be a sign of a problem.
I did the test and the wheel didn't center and my car's rack was replaced -- under warranty thank goodness.
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