Squeaky Suspension

Hi I have a 1998 Red 996 which has done 126000 miles. Recently its developed a squeak at the drivers front corner which to be honest is more like a creak when you lean and push down on the wing. I checked google and bushes seemed to be the main issue so I thought I'd spray WD40 on the bushes one by one to see if I could identify the culprit. Having done that the squeaking is a little better but still not right so I thought Id try the suspension spring and strut to see if there was any movement. The sping at the top of the shock is moving slightly, certainly on the other side of the car there is no movement at all. Has anyone got any experience of this issue? Is it the bushes? or is the spring at fault? or should I take it to the garage and leave my wallet with them again:-) (please no more!!) Any help would be appreicated. Thanks Andrew

I am still attempting to figure the 996 out... Not sure if this helps, do the bushing have grease fittings. It may just need a lube job. On my 83SC the suspension developed a squeak at the bushings. I had grease fittings installed and that resolved my speak problem. Based on the mileage, the bushings may need replacement. Do both sides if you have to this repair. Based on the mileage the shocks may be on their last leg. Personally, if the bushings need to be replaced, I would do the shocks as well with a 4 wheel/corner balance. Lots of overlapping labor, get you monies worth... ...owning the car is just the entry fee. Let us know the outcome.

Hi thanks for coming back to me. No grease fittings I'm afraid. The bushes are poly.@@@.. thane which I think are inpregnated with a lubricant and they do dry out. I think your advice is right about the shock, replace them when I'm in there. I'll get some prices and then bite the bullet. Thanks again

shandyhaggis, I detect some frustration with the amount of repairs your early 996 has had ... what exactly is your experience as I'm in the hunt for one. Thanks!

ts true to say that yes I have. mostly the car issues are just normal wear and tear. I have covered a lot of miles in the 4 years of having it. I have driven later cars and I have to say they do seem to drive better and are smoother (gear box and suspension). I've driven a couple of earlier 996's (apart from mine) and the gear change is notchy in comprison to the later cars. Built quality is not great on the inside with the dash fittings, eg the air vent louvres always seem to drop which is annoying and other bits are a bit plasticy compare to the 993. Driving though is a hoot. To be honest I'm keeping a hold of mine because I dont know what else to have that is better for the money. It seems Id have to pay a lot more to buy a better car so I might as well look after the one I've got. Thinking about it my frustration is not with the car its more to do with the cost of running it which is mainly down to the extortionate prices that Porsche garages charge in the UK. Labor rates in a Porsche dealership are 100 GBP per hour. Porsche specialist are around 80 GBP per hour (I guess about $200 - $160). So even though the cost of a standard service is reasonable every time my car goes in to the garage I end up spending around £2000 on something or other. I reckon I have spent £15000 on the car since having it and thats not including tyres. So there you go I think the car is great, I think there mindset in the UK that says because you have a Porsche I can charge you twice as much for everything to do with it. I think if I had to chose I would go for the faclifted 996 but an early one is just fine. The only big issue with the early on is the so called cylindar liner issue but usually cars that have that problem have been rectified by now. Hope this helps, happy hunting:-)