987 spyder - makes clunking noise when put in gear or changing gears

I think i posted in the wrong place so i reposted… My spyder is making a clunk sound whenever I put in gear or changing gears all the time is this normal? I drove the old honda prelude and accord i don’t remember hearing anything. Anyone know if this Is normal because the shift cable broke on me before right after warranty was over.

Well lets not have more than one thread for the same issue. I'll clean up that other thread. BTW, you had one reply from @Boristhespyder , so I will move that here (if I can figure out how 🤪)

IMO it’s certainly not normal and needs further investigation.

I'm assuming this is a manual 6 speed, not PDK. How long ago was that cable replacement? A 987 would of been out of warranty long ago. Did the clunk start then, or just recently? It's really hard to diagnose this over the internet, especially without more info. Can you hear the clunk while shifting with the engine off? Any odd feeling in the shifter? How are your DIY skills? Without the skills and equipment to work under the car, I think you should be looking for a good indie with Porsche experience. They should be able to give you a quick evaluation and estimate.

Does it happen more frequently on hard acceleration? It could be the engine mounts and have nothing to do with transmission or engine issues.

+1 on the front engine mount, an easy DIY using jack stands on the 987 chassis, there are several videos around, good luck! .

+2 on front engine mount. Its a known weak spot for the 987 series.

I have a 14 981 Boxster Base. It has a 6 speed with short shifter. It is almost obnoxious how loud it is when you row thru the positions. Obnoxious in a good way. I have had more than one person ask me if something is wrong when they hear the shifting mechanism and cables. Not a bad thing in my mind, and barely perceptible when the engine is screaming, as it does so good. I have stock cables now, I think.

I should clarify, I would not describe those sounds as clunks necessarily. But you can hear all the mechanisms working.

2011 spyder (manual) bought it brand new and the shift cable broke few months after warrranty expired. Before cable broke very loud clunking sound only from 1st to 2nd. Replaced shift cable and i believe i also replaced the gear box Yes, the engine is running and stand still. When i drove earlier today seems ok no sound but in the evening the clunk noise is back. I also tried it with the engine off and yes still clunking when i changed to any gears. No odd feeling with the shifter. Only DIY skills is replacing the air and cabin filter thats it. I guess i need to bring it to the shop. Do u think it’s the clutch about to go? Or the gear box or shift cable? Appreciate your guys comments Thanks!

But I drove manual 1995 honda prelude, 96 accord, and 2008 M3 and i don’t remember any noise.

I‘m planning on bringing it to the shop tomorrow and see. Thank you all!

An easy way to check the front engine mount is to drive slowly (parking lot), in first or second gear and suddenly apply and release the gas pedal, if the clunking noise appears is because the engine mount is moving up or down

I recorded a video with the engine off. YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com @Spyderman -g8w

can u guys see the clip? I click on it i don’t see anything.

Nothing there. Maybe you need to copy and paste the link to the video.

Yes, i think should work now…

Definitely hear the engagement of the shifting mechanisms involved. Mostly sounds normal in the cabin, the sounds of the shifter moving through its positions. But do hear some sound emanating from the exterior, not cabin sounds. Although not sure if those sounds are from normal movements in the linkage. If I were troubleshooting this on my own vehicle, I would enlist the aid of a second person who I would have move the gear selector as you did in the video while I laid under the car attempting to pinpoint the source of any abnormal sounds. Maybe one of the brackets that anchor the shift cables to the gearbox housing.

I think it may be the transmission fluid needs to be changed. I‘ll do it tomorrow let’s see if this fixes the problem.

@Spyderman2025 I recently changed out my gearbox fluid. Fairly simple job, requires removing the triangular plate under the trans. There are videos out there that will facilitate the job. Good luck.

The clunk noise appear even with the engine off at a stand still. The shop quoted me $15,000 to replace with a new transmission, flywheel, new clutch, coupling, connecting rod, and torque screw. Ai said since the clunk noise appears with engine off then the transmission shouldn’t be the problem. i’m looking for another shop to bring it to but still looking. I think u might be right about the engine mount but i need to bring it to another shop to confirm this.

Anyone with a 987 spyder can confirm this is normal?

In my 2010 Cayman S it sounds more or less like that when I row through the gears with the engine off.

I was thinking the same thing. If I sit in my garage and cycle through the gears with the engine off, there are definitely audible sounds. Lots of things happening here, the movement of the shift cables, the end links acting upon the levers on the exterior of the trans, the parts moving inside the trans like the synchros and forks. But judging sound is subjective. What some may dismiss as normal may sound noisy to another. Maybe try hooking up with another similar owner and do a comparison. That should shed some light on what are normal sounds or abnormal noises. If you are a member of PCA, attend one of your local chapters events and seek out some advice there. This Saturday is my chapters ‘ Porsche and Pancakes’ breakfasts. Always a fun time, and you can talk P-cars with like-minded people.

Check the linkage stuff where the cable connects on the driver's side of the transmission. There are a couple of possibilities there: the bellcrank, the ball joint linkages, and that weighted wheel that gives heft to the shift feel. Something loose or broken in these items could make noise.