Shock or Spring (need help please) - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

newjerseydave · 05-31-2011, 05:34 AM

Don't think it's wheel bearing. When the car is stopped and not running, if you push down on the front right-side, you can thern hear the creaking noise (and seems to be from the spring or shock area).

insite · 05-31-2011, 05:50 AM

the nylon ball joint races are NOTORIOUS for this. there's a simple cure. cut a tiny hole in the ball joint boot & spray in some WD40. problem solved.

thstone · 05-31-2011, 02:09 PM

Could be one of the bushings, a shock, spring, ball joint, etc. You're going to have to go through all of the suspension components, one by one, to isolate and identify the cause of the squeak.

When I had a similar issue, I put the car on four jackstands and then took the wheel off and used a jack to lower/raise the suspension assy to try and isolate the problem to a particular component.

Maybe someone else can suggest other (better) ways to perform this kind of check.

WRGREENER · 05-31-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insite

the nylon ball joint races are NOTORIOUS for this. there's a simple cure. cut a tiny hole in the ball joint boot & spray in some WD40. problem solved.

WD40 is a solvent not a lubricant. you need to lubricate not wash it away

Jager · 05-31-2011, 05:33 PM

Class time... Everyone go to [url]www.wd40.com[url] and go to the automotive page.

WD-40 Lubricates, Cleans, Protects, Penetrates & Displaces Moisture... And does so much more!

insite · 05-31-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jager

Class time... Everyone go to [url]www.wd40.com[url] and go to the automotive page.

WD-40 Lubricates, Cleans, Protects, Penetrates & Displaces Moisture... And does so much more!

That, and the ball joints are DRY bearings. Use the wd40.

newjerseydave · 06-01-2011, 05:36 AM

How difficult is it to access the bearings??

Novice here - only done some minor projects.

thanks.

insite · 06-01-2011, 05:52 AM

very easy. turn your steering wheel all the way to the side. behind the wheel, look for the part in the picture. cut a tiny slice with an exacto knife where i've highlighted in red. put the WD40 spray tube into the slice & give it a good squirt. go for a drive so the WD40 gets evenly distributed & cleans out the nylon.

san rensho · 06-01-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insite

the nylon ball joint races are NOTORIOUS for this. there's a simple cure. cut a tiny hole in the ball joint boot & spray in some WD40. problem solved.

Same thing for the rears if they are noisy?

insite · 06-01-2011, 08:19 AM

same procedure front & rear. FYI, i went through so many of these things (replacing the squeaky ones) that i finally got fed up & cut one apart. i tried everything from packing them w/ grease, adding zerk fittings, light lube, etc. Turns out the solution is MUCH simpler. WD40. during this process, do yourself a favor & check for play in the ball joints (i.e. grab the wheel & try to move it in & out or side to side). if there's play, replace the control arm. if there is none, spray away....

newjerseydave · 06-06-2011, 11:05 AM

The suggested fix worked perfectly.

Thanks again!

insite · 06-06-2011, 11:27 AM

glad it worked out. take care.

sasha055 · 06-06-2011, 11:50 AM

What to do with the hole after you spray WD40? should it be closed somehow?

Charlie · 06-16-2012, 06:34 PM

Followed your advice from 05-31-2011 post to newjersymike about nylon ball joints causing loud squeaks. Problem has plagued my 1997 boxster off and on for several years. Tried your WD40 suggestion with instant success for the right front wheel joint! Thank you !

Charlie

IMACMAN · 08-14-2012, 05:02 PM

Hi... I seem to have the same problem... 99 986, just started happening after 3 hour drive on windy road..hot day etc,,,, car seems to handle fine but squeaking on front passenger side is very bad...smaller squeak when wheel moves vertically over say a bump... but really loud when turning the steering right or left ( unbearable ), so my question is assuming it's the bushing, in the ? control arm? Sway bar? ( Novice here ) is
there an issue with doing this...kinda like taking something for the symptoms of an illness to make them go away... but not curing the diesease...if you get my meaning? is there a chance of some catastrophic failure by just masking the squeak?..ie will one wheel go in one direction and the other in another?

I'm having it put up on a ramp tomorrow, and asked the Mechanic to look over the front suspension / shocks everything...just incase ( just had a set of bielstiens put on the back ) one rear shock was gone... was price but was well worth it.... nice tight ride now.
Any Input anyone?

Paul
Imacman 99, 986