rear suspension noise over tar strips

[flaps10]

I'm hoping this is a quick question. My car drives quite solidly with no vibrations to speak of and no rattles, er, except one.

When I'm at 25-ish on a street with heavy tar strips I get a noise right behind me - literally behind and to the left of my chest (left hand drive car).

I did a search on this forum and found it could be a few things but seems likely it is a Track Arm.

In doing a search on ebay I find a piece called a Link Track Arm
Porsche 986 Boxster 97 04 Rear Suspension Control Arm Link Track Arm 98633114304 | eBay

and a Track Rod Link
997 331 045 04 245 03 Porsche Cayman Boxster 987 Rear Suspension Track Rod Link | eBay

Now, blindly I could order the Link Track Arm but just want to make sure it is a link which transmits load to a position up behind my back.

Also, is it required to purchase the entire link rather than press new bushings into the existing casting?

[thstone]

Before you buy anything, get your car up in the air and get under it and inspect everything. Pull, push, prod, poke, and you'll eventually find the culprit.

Trying to decide what part to replace based on the noise alone is not likely to identify the correct part (unless you are already an expert mechanic or you're really, really lucky).

[Pdwight]

I want to follow this

[Jager]

Here is where your problem is:



Replace this arm and problem solved.

My experience when my Boxster was up and off the ground and inspecting all the joints, I could not make this arm rattle or make any loose noise when grabbing and twisting it.

[Pdwight]

I recently had a 4 wheel alignment, if I replace that would a realignment be necessary ?

I have a similar noise on the passenger side.

[RandallNeighbour]

If you can get away with not disconnecting the three point arm to which this trailing arm connects (it's the one with the ball joint at the hub and the alignment setting bolt at the frame you can get away without an alignment.

BTW, this is definitely a DIY job to swap this out, but be patient, it fits into each end very tightly and will not be the easiest thing you've done. I had to give up, drink a beer, and come back and give it another go before I figured out which end should go on first and eventually get it done.

[Pdwight]

I learned a long time ago that when working on a project if you start talking about it's Mother to walk away and give your brain and your patience a break. I recently did this on my secondary Cat job.

Question can the bushing be replaced or is a replace the entire arm....and if doing one should both be replaced at the same time ?

[TeamOxford]

Replace both trailing arms.

OEM ones from TRW are available from Pelican Parts:

Porsche Boxster (1997-2004) - Suspension, Shocks & Springs - Page 3

Rebuilt ones with polyurethane bushings are available from Vertex Auto (with core exchange).

I went with the TRW ones.

Just sayin'...........

TO

[pjq]

Thanks for the picture Jager, it makes the thread easy to follow.

[Brad Roberts]

Somebody is rebuilding these with poly bushings?? WTF?? LOL Next time I'm through Vertex area? I'll be sure to stop in a smack them in the side of the head.

The arm they are *rebuilding*?? Has a FRIGGIN MONOBALL in it from the factory!! Why in the hell would you go Urethane?? LOL

Yes, these are wearing out. Yes, this is the problem.

Yes you can swap these out without changing the alignment. I do these at the track in 10min per side with the under tray ON.

[Pdwight]

If you were closer I would buy you a case of Beer to help me

I appreciate the info, definitely a job to do before winter. I get a little noise on a gravel road from the passenger side only....but they are both the same age so both it will be.

I went to the Vertex site and ...WOW...3.6 rebuilt engines ........hhmmmm one day maybe. I didn't see nay rebuilt arms however ??

Thanks for all the great information everyone.

Sincerely
Dwight

[Brad Roberts]

I'd end up taking 3/4 of the case home!!

It's two bolts!! One in the front at the tub and one at the back in the control arm.

The one at the control arm has some serious torque on it. I use a breaker bar to bust it loose (or a Snap On 18V gun depending on how high I put the car in the air)

Easiest method for the front bolt is to take down the undertray, but it can be done with it in place. The drivers side is tough because the power steering lines are in the way. Start with the passenger side arm. You'll get a feel in open space on how to handle the drivers side with the lines in the way.

Buy the TRW arms.. NEW. They are $170x2

Part Number: Part # 987 331 043 02

[Pdwight]

Here is anew on on ebay

Porsche 986 996 Control Arm Link Front Rear Lower Carrera Turbo | eBay

says brand new TRW but the part # does not match

[TeamOxford]

Originally Posted by Brad Roberts

Somebody is rebuilding these with poly bushings?? WTF?? LOL Next time I'm through Vertex area? I'll be sure to stop in a smack them in the side of the head.

Originally Posted by Pdwight

I didn't see any rebuilt arms however ??

Here they are:

Porsche Boxster Rebuilt Upgraded Rear Track Control Arm Only $149 | eBay

The OEM number is: 986-331-043-07

TO

[Pdwight]

So are the urethane ones that are rebuilt better than the TRW OEM ones ??

[Brad Roberts]

How would urethane be better than a monoball? You want STOCK pieces.. not rebuilt.

and you **WANT** the 987 pieces.. trust me. I gave you the correct part number. You will thank me the first time you drive the car.

TeamOx? You work for Pelican?

[3_Angels]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

So are the urethane ones that are rebuilt better than the TRW OEM ones ??

Might double check to see if these are equivalent?;

http://www.****************************************.com/Part-Number/Control-Arm-Link-__99733104301_TRW_2B69CDA3.aspx

substitute **************************************** for all those Astrix-es

substitute romeo mike easy uniform romeo oscar papa easy alpha november for all those astrixes

[TeamOxford]

Geez...........I'm just commenting on my own personal experience with replacing the rear trailing arms of my 986.

I offered two options that I had personally considered; the OEM TRW arms and the rebuilt Vertez arms. I chose the TRW arms, and yes , I admit it...............I bought them from Pelican!

And no, I don't work for Pelican; in fact I work for no one now. Feels good, too.

Just sayin'...........

TO

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by Jager

Here is where your problem is:



Replace this arm and problem solved.

My experience when my Boxster was up and off the ground and inspecting all the joints, I could not make this arm rattle or make any loose noise when grabbing and twisting it.

Yep, that's the fix. Theres also a way to repair the bushing. It involves essentially knurling the bushing housing into the control arm. I don't have the link, but it's either here or on rennlist.

[Brad Roberts]

It involves essentially knurling the bushing housing into the control arm

Keep me away from people who are doing that.. LOL OMG.. *really*?? If you cannot afford to repair these cars properly? Then sell it. "When, not IF" the monoball comes loose again in the arm?? you now end up with CRAZY rear wheel steering *probably* putting you in a ditch..

Replace the arms with factory OE parts (Pankl supplied them to Porsche, TRW MADE them for Pankl)