Mysterious front end rattle

[nicecar]

joe die you do drop links, upper strut mounts ?

[Joe hockin]

I changed the strut bearings and re-used the mounts (as they looked and felt perfect)
I disconnected the sway bar to diagnose but the clackety clack persisted. It sounds like loose brake pads...I 've cleaned everything and put blue permatex stop squeal on the back of all of the pads (the fronts had the interlocking piston shims ..the rear doesn't) However, I re-used the anti-rattle springs after cleaning, inspecting, and bending them a bit...everything feels tight.

[nicecar]

clacking for me was drop links very common. i have not replaced struts or strut mounts. the mounts were replaced with used ones now these knock when cold. thats why i think we need struts ....rattling over cracks at low speeds . like the previous posts say basically have to replace whole suspension. get this, i even replaced the rack.oh well i am going back at it soon as the dust settles.....recently spent 7000 ims flywheel rear brakes rotors front tires 2 alignment droplinks inner and outer tie rods heat shield deleat,strut berrings. remodeling garage because for things external i will be doing ,like the muffler that rattles because of bad baffles? even that is not definitely the culpret. i guess this just deserves a chuckle, i think many people would love to have our rattle

[Joe hockin]

Hey,
I think I've cracked the clack. Took out the front track arms (super easy) and put them in a vise to check for play. None to be had. Applied a bit of heat with a heat gun. Once warmed up: clackety clack clack. This fits the profile. I let you know once I replace them.

[nicecar]

clack over bumps low speed? bad news for me is i replaced all 4 arms w/ used so if i change the struts and put new mounts and problem exists, i have bad lower control arms not cheap thats why i went used we shall see... let me know soon. what about the drop links ? my clack was at higher speed for the drop links

[Joe hockin]

Track arms replace, rattle gone. Applying heat to check for play was the key. Sanity restored!

[mountainman]

can you clarify what you are calling the track arms. In looking around, I have found 3 different suspension parts that different individuals are calling track arms. Also where did you get yours and how pricy were they. This sounds like the noise I have in my C4 with 74K miles and my 04 boxster S with 54K.

[Joe hockin]

Hi,
Some call the track arm, the forward, or front control arm. I got TRW's from: Autopartsway.ca for $112 Hope this helps.

[nicecar]

glad the rattle is gone , thought it might be struts since previous post of yours mentioned some arms recently changed, tracking, trailing....always confusing changed all 4 of mine when chasing rattle. rears were done last year more like a knock. I think that the temp. variant you mentioned is correct as far as struts are concerned my rattle always persists any temp.plus I HAVE CHANGED THE ENTIRE FRONT END EXCEPT STRUTS ! thank you for the follow up joe. alot of posts never give solution when fixed....to happy driving!

[Steve Tinker]

Originally Posted by mountainman

can you clarify what you are calling the track arms. In looking around, I have found 3 different suspension parts that different individuals are calling track arms. Also where did you get yours and how pricy were they. This sounds like the noise I have in my C4 with 74K miles and my 04 boxster S with 54K.

Mountain.......
Log onto the UK Porsche parts supplier < Design911 & PPCGB Performance & Car parts Specialist > and under Suspension & Axle you will see a description & picture of the front suspension kit currently on special price (see below).
I bought the kit last year - comes complete with all hardwear, nuts, bolts etc and it fitted perfectly. Parts got to Australia in 7 days.
Hope this helps....


Control Arm 'Coffin Arm' and Wishbone Kit FRONT Porsche 986 Boxster and 996 >>04
Code: CONTROLARM01
Control Arm 'Coffin Arm' & Wishbone Kit FRONT. Porsche 986 Boxster and 996 >>04

Brand: TRW + Hamburg Technic
Coffin arm is Hamburg Technic and the fork arm is TRW brand
(TRW are the Original Manufacture for Porsche)

Kit Contains 16 Parts:
2 x Control Arms Ref No.6
2 x Control Wishbone Ref No.3
2 x Lock Nuts Ref No.12
2 x Hex Nuts Ref No.22
2 x Hex Nuts Ref No.5
2 x Hex Bolts Ref No.7
2 x Hex Bolts Ref No.11
2 x Hex Bolts Ref No.4

Fits:
Porsche 986 Boxster 1997-04 Front
Porsche 996 C2/C4/C4S 1998-04 Front
Porsche 996 Turbo 2000-2005 Front (non adjustable)

Please note this arm is not an adjustable type (not motorsport - M004 option & not for 996, Boxter 986 models with factory Litronic headlamps M601)

Special Offer

Price: Was £341.92 Now £290.63

[Smallblock454]

Hm, seems i'm in the club. Today it's pretty hot and clack clack.

Noise only appears when driving slowy forwards. Not when driving backwards. First thought it comes from the back, but it comes from the front left.

Because i have Litronic i have to use the adjustable arms. Did a little research on part numbers for the european market.

Control arm PAG: 996 341 043 06
also for 99634104303
is similar to TRW JTC1185 - EAN Number 3322937754267

Lower control arm PAG 996 341 941 01 (with M601 for Litronic)
also for
99634194101
99634194100
99634105314
99634105306
99634105307
99634106300
is similar to
TRW JTC1175 - EAN Number 3322937754267

So i'll put my Box on a lift and will see if i can find something. Hope not to find nothing and have to change the complete suspension like others.

Regards from Germany
Markus

[Timco]

Isn't top arrow the idler arm? Then control arm and drop link?

Nope. Got my glasses. Trailing arm?

[Smallblock454]

Damn, seems that pictures are resized when uploaded to the forum.

Here is another view. I don't know the correct english terms but i hope i named them correctly.

Lower control arm (Querlenker) PAG 996 341 941 01 (with M601) = TRW JTC1175
Trailing arm PAG: 996 341 043 06 = TRW JTC1185

Regards from germany
Markus