Clunk in rear passenger area
 

when driving over rough surfaces going 15mph+. It sounds like its coming from the wheel area. To describe the sound, it sounds like the trunk is bouncing up and coming down when I drive over a bump (it is shut.) Does anyone know what this would be from? I have had the car just over a week and I think it has been there the whole time, but I really noticed it this Sunday for the first topless experience on Lake Shore Drive. I am taking it in tomorrow for an alignment at an indy I was wondering what to look for. BTW, I did get the PPI at another indy shop and it checked out fine. I trusted them because the closest P dealer was 50 miles and they worked on customers' Boxsters regularly. There was one there waiting to be picked up. Could they have missed something?

Me too, so far I've been told to check the sway bar mounts (they were fine) and the track control arms (they look OK), still looking....

Paul, what about motor mounts?

When I replaced the drive belt, I revved the motor several times with the cover off and the motor did not move enough to make me believe the mounts are bad.

Plus the noise is usually noticed at very low throttle positions. It really sounds like the trunk is open except it seems to be lower. I've checked the muffler (the dealer replaced it right before this started), but it seems to be firmly attached.

Also right after the dealer replaced the muffler, I was in a hurry and turning left near WOT from a traffic signal, I heard something pop like a bolt broke, but I can't find anything.

Maybe they left a tool of some type in there somewhere.

I hate warranty work since I can't do it myself!!!

My 2001 has this too and I've read that it's the lower control arms. I'm probably going to replace them this Spring.

Lol, speaking of tools, I watched a unique whips and they were working on a porsche cayenne turbo, and while they were wiring stuff they found a small wooden hammer in the engine compartment. I guess some guy from the factory left it in there underneath some plastic covers, lol.

I have a similar noise in my 2000. When I go over rough pavement it sounds as if there is something rattling inside the right rear wheel. I had it checked at the dealership while it was in for something else and they're pretty stumped. The best throry is that I have a shock getting ready to go bad, but everything else they could check seemed to be fine.

socratic, have you priced replacing the lower control arms, if indeed this is the case?

Also, forgive me for my lack of mechanical prowess, but would it be possible to put the car on a lift and try to replicate rough pavement (ie lifting the wheel and letting it drop) to try to pinpoint the noise?

it's not the lower control arm; when those go bad, the ball joints squeak. it without a doubt the infamous track control (a.k.a. trailing) arm. this is a very common weak link on the box; the bearing in the end goes bad and the arm clunks and knocks around when you hit rough pavement. the cheapest place to get new ones is here (pap-parts):

http://www.pap-parts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=996%20341%20043%2003

alternatively, che (delubozparts) makes aftermarket adjustable replacements for around $275 per PAIR. i believe CJ_Boxster has a set. also, don't get an alignment before replacing these, as removal / replacement of this part will alter your toe slightly, requiring alignment.

I had pretty much the same issue, took it in to the shop and everything checked out but I could still hear it, a month or so pass by and I am taking the trunk liner out to look over my coolant tank and what do I find in the rear wheel well but a tennis and golf ball

Problem solved and my dog has a new toy :)

Sorry guys, yes, Insite has it correct.

CJ Boxster made up a how-to article here:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=12646

Thanks to CJ.