Suspension noises...

Hi guys, I'm hearing a few knocking noises from the rear end when going over bumps etc. Nothing major, but i have been feeling as though the ride has deteriorated since i bought the car a few months back. Even over small ridges in the road, the suspension feels solid. I'm wondering about the bushes as i can't see any receipts to see these have been changed...how often do these usually require changing? Any idea on cost? Any recommendations on where i can get things looked over? As always, all help gratefully received! Cheers Taran :worship:

Hi Yeah sounds like bushes. Just had mine changed at OPC for £500 (not waranty item). Go to an Indy for these, as these don't usually last that long on our roads esepcially in London with all the potholes and speed bumps. Majority of my miles are M-Way but have to negotiatie the obstacles to get there.

Did the car feel better for it Dejan?

I'm coming upto 70K miles now, so am guessing they are in need of doing. The previous owner was meticulous with the car though, so seems odd that this hasn't been done. Maybe i'll give him a ring to ask if he did do it. I may have missed it in the receipts... Taran :?:

A bit better, defintely less noise over speed bumps. I dont drive fast in urban areas to be honest to notice significant improvements in handling. I drive dead slow over speed bumps and a slight creak that was previosuly there has all but gone. I still think I need to play with tyre pressures a bit (I run them at recommended pressure) as its a tad bit floaty on the motorway. I dont have any of the reciepts from the previous owners, I bought my car from an OPC. All they gave are the manuals and service book which is FPSH. I reckon at 70k they have been done before but need re doing. Guy at OPC said he sees cars like ours driven mainly on London roads usually need them re done frequently ie within 10k miles if not less because of the poor state or our roads.

Apart from bushes, it could also be anything from worn suspension mounting points to driveshafts. I had a knocking once when it was under acceleration and over bumps. I could have sworn it was a suspension issue. After stripping everything down to check, retighten, etc, the knocking was still there. Eventually the problem was traced to one of the splines on the driveshaft, even though there was no free play in the wheel (common diagnosis for driveshaft problem). Well, replaced the draveshafts and the knocking was gone. The rear lower suspension arms on the 996 are expensive to replace. Thankfully the bushes on them don't deteriorate as quickly as the fronts as they are one piece arms (unlike the fronts).

Thanks guys. Ah bollox, i hope it is only the suspension and nothing to do with the driveshaft... Just wish i had a good specialist around my ways rather than having to go West to JZmactech. I've got 911Design about 5 mins away from me but haven't heard great things about them...oh well. Taran :frustrated:

When I bought my 996 V reg cab 3yrs ago with 34k miles it was planted and beautifully quiet. Now the suspension creaks over london speed bumps, it floats on motorways and i get constant vibration through the steering wheel despite having wheels balanced within a milligram of their lives. Which upsets me, but not enough to make me cry. Reading these threads, it might be one or all of the following: flat spots on tyres from spinning at bedford, worn suspension parts, badly knocked out geo, A N Other. So I'm letting RSJ have a good look (only after I do another track day and get my moneys worth out of my tyres). Fingers crossed, I want my confy, quiet, planted mean-machine back.

I had creaking fron suspension on my TT, only 24k miles but both lower control arms have been changed and it's now fine. Not warranty parts (is anything?) I find it hard to believe the lower ball joints where shot after that mileage but I'm told it's fairly common.