Side to side sway at higway speeds.

[slimhouse]

I have a base 986 and when I get above 55mph or so it sometimes will begin to sway from side to side. This isn't something that happens every time I drive, but it comes and goes. I haven't taken it to a shop yet but I suspect that it may be an issue of uneven wear in the rear shocks. This is my 1st Porsche and I have no clue where to begin, but I would rather ask questions here, than to be RAPED at a mechanic without any info.

*its a 98
*it has aftermarket 19" wheels
*its got a salvage title, but the frame has been professionally straightened

[fatmike]

Originally Posted by slimhouse

*its got a salvage title, but the frame has been professionally straightened

Is this new? Or have you experienced this since the frame was straightened???

[aztecw]

I had the same problem but at about 75mph. I had 4-wheel alignment, didn't help. Although my rear struts need to be changed I put on some new rear tires and it solved the problem. Hope that helps.

[tonycarreon]

are you sure it's a sway as a result of the car itself and not just following the "ruts" that are dug into the roads by most other traffic that is slightly wider than the boxster?

i notice on some older roads that have not been repaved in quite some time i can ride in one "rut" or the other, but not both and this causes the car to feel like it's kind of going from side to side in the lane...

[insite]

what kind of tires do you have? same tires front & rear?

[Bladecutter]

Its a combination of your tire tread pattern, and the ruts in the road surface, most likely.

BC.

[kls]

When I first got my '04 I thought it was the wide tires that caused it to follow the ruts in the highway. The tires front to back didn't match, but I don't know how much difference that made. Once I got new tires the problem was completely gone.