New boxter, last owner chopped springs- cause fishtail or tail wag at high speeds??
 

Just got my first boxster yesterday. 99 2.5 tip with 87k.

It has been lowered, ride was not firm as with most that are. Coming home at 50-60 mph plus the rear end feels at times like it is skating or on ice is the best way to describe. I already found a used set of oem springs to put back on it as i know that chopping springs is no good? Me and a nearby shop looker underneath and all control arms, bushings, and everything visible looks good? Does this symptom sound like something caused by chopping springs? It has to be lowered close to 2 inches, maybe more? Rides soft with no noises???? Tires are brand new also.

I don't have the answer, but I have some advice: If you stick with those wheels be sure to get some spacers. Front and rear. ;)

Chopping the springs has probably knackered the dampers.

lowering (esp 2") without adjustable rear toe control arms will result in out of spec alignment (toe) and the behaviour you describe.

Good call on the wheel spacers. Will be top of my to do list!

Those rear wheels just look wrong. Way too far inside the fender for stock. I'm guessing they are front wheels, put on the back. Spacers are good, but verify wheel size and fitment.

Well there is something I havent learned, are the front and rear wheels actually different sizes??

Get confirmation on the exact size, but I think the stock 17" wheels are 7" wide in front with the rears 8.5".

Here's a site I go to for some wheel info, but it's incomplete and its too dark and cold outside for me to go verify mine.

944racing

Yep, confirmed it! Will be sure to check!!

Here's one of mine on M030 (slightly lowered suspension) with stock 17s in a 'mirrored' perspective. See the difference in back? that's more than I'd expect from just cut springs.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1573949465.jpg

My guess is that who ever lowered it didn't use adjustable rear control arms (as The Radium King mentioned), and now you have a lot of toe-out, and that can cause scary wandering. They probably didn't do any kind of alignment at all, so all the camber and toe settings are way out of range.

I hope you didn't pay much for that particular Boxster! You have some work to do to get it driving correctly, and to get the correct rear wheels.

This is the correct size wheels.

Fit the proper springs and correct rear wheels/tires and then see how it handles. Should be about 1000% better.

Where did you buy this car and how much did you pay?

probably 996 wheels w 66et rears.

I got it from a tiny lot in chesnee SC for $6500 out the door. Looked all over the southeast and was the best for the money I found. He was asking $8995. He lost money and just wanted to clear room. He showed me his reciept that he paid $6k at the dealer auction and put a new convertible motor, tires, and battery. First time I ever left a dealer and didnt feel violated!

I am betting the wheels were reversed when putting on tires.

If one rear tire is worn more than the other it will cause this. My car had the same issue.

How do you know the springs were chopped? You've definitely got something funky going on, but those two statements above don't sound like chopped springs. You chop 2" out of a spring and that spring rate will be out the roof; you'll be bouncing your kidneys around like crazy.
You sure they didn't use a lowering spring? A lowering spring, poorly installed without fixing the geometry will, as others have mentioned, give you substantial toe-out,w which will give the vague feeling in the rear, as you describe.

You've definitely got something wonky going on, as evidenced by the wheels, as well.



Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

No way to know for sure until I get them out of there. But had a shop look and did not see any evidence of any other way other than springs chopped. Its too low and plan on installing factory springs back. I would have thought if they used lowering springs would be stiffer ride also? Had a car before lowered on springs, and the ride doesnt feel like it? I plan on checking wheel sizes tomorrow, betting some front and rears may be reversed?? Will be sure to update!

Its hard to tell, but I don't think that rear tires are on the front. If that was the case, the fronts would stick out more.

This is what 255/40/17 tires on an 8.5" wheel look like on the front (and same size on rear)...

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1574038640.jpg

Well, i have 3 7 inch wheels and one 8.5! Wth!! Well time to pick up a new wheel, and at least can sell the other. The left rear did have a 7” wheel on it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wonder what other " top notch " modifications have been done to the car ? :rolleyes: Sounds like some hacks have been at work , good luck sorting her out .

Right that!
I'm worried for ya, kboggs. Stay close, we'll try to help as much as we can.

One thing to keep in mind: any time you're looking at something the P.O. jacked-up, remember that it's an opportunity to upgrade. :cheers:

For instance: you could buy one rear wheel, or you could buy the set of wheels you really want..... feel me? haha:dance:

Lol, if the wheels weren’t in such great shape I would think about it!! The good thing is the engine and tranny seem to be running great, new top, interior is great! Appears to be well taken care of, just cheaped out on a crappy exhaust and trying to lower it!

Should have things all sorted out in a couple weeks, but could be worse I guess?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nobody else can see he has two different style wheels on the car?

I can't see that. There's only one photo, and that's of the left side. Both appear to be the same style twists. (to me)

They are same style, must be the angle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My eyes could be playing tricks on me. Any more pics of the car?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...07f1f343e6.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...fb170cb835.jpg

This all i have currently. Its in a storage unit hidden from my wife...... for christmas


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Haha! I am guessing that you didn't have a pre-purchase inspection (PPI)? ;)

It might be worth the $300 to have a PPI done now just so you know if there are any other issues.

I don't have 2020 (Trump does), but I can see in that first photo those are identical wheels designs.

Look again. He posted a new picture and the driver's rear wheel is clearly different.

OP, where is the 4th S style twist?

[QUOTE=78F350;606808]Get confirmation on the exact size, but I think the stock 17" wheels are 7" wide in front with the rears 8.5".


That's OE Boxster S size for 2000.

If you have mismatched wheel widths (and tire widths) on the back that could contribute to some weird driving experience.

I have a new 8.5 inch rear wheel on the way, and factory springs coming this week. I wish I knew what happened to the factory 8.5 thats missing. I should have had a ppi done, but when its all done i should still have a good price for it and is in great condition......as long as no other issues pop up!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey...you're not Piper! ;)

Yup, now I see it. Man.... good eye!

So, to the o.p.: I'd be worried about WHY this guy replaced ONE REAR WHEEL.... with the first thing he found on Ebay.
What happened to the other one? A bent wheel could come with a whole SLEW of other rear end issues.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[QUOTE=maytag;607026 A bent wheel could come with a whole SLEW of other rear end issues.
[/QUOTE]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing.., something like a damaged wheel hub, bent strut, damaged bearing, should be closely inspected prior/during alignment, hopefully nothing serious..

I'm trying not to sound harsh, but the car had a front wheel on the rear, cut springs, drove like crap, and you think that nothing else is wrong? :D:D:D

Please get a PPI for all of our sake. That will give you a list to work from to get the car back into a decent and safe operating condition and everyone here on the forum will help you to get whatever needs repair done as affordably as possible.

Dont worry, its going into the shop as soon as my parts get here, hopefully monday or early next week and will get it checked out well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Storage unit. Hidden. Wife. Christmas.

Not a particularly promising string.