No down force - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

flmont · 08-11-2019, 09:48 AM

I was able to get my 02 base out for some exercise and after 80 MPH it seems that my front end got lighter and steering got loose,and at 90 it was worse,I thought it would have had more down force,The steering was way to light for that speed, Ive never driven it that fast before, and its my first boxster..?? Thanks

BYprodriver · 08-11-2019, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flmont

I was able to get my 02 base out for some exercise and after 80 MPH it seems that my front end got lighter and steering got loose,and at 90 it was worse,I thought it would have had more down force,The steering was way to light for that speed, Ive never driven it that fast before, and its my first boxster..?? Thanks

1st check tires air pressure, tread & sidewalls for damage. Next verify rear spoiler extends up by 60 MPH. If all is good go to the best Porsche alignment shop you can & have them inspect suspension parts for excessive wear, replace anything out of spec including shock absorbers. Then have alignment checked including CASTER which affects directional stability & steering.

Racer Boy · 08-11-2019, 10:21 AM

Downforce? The only street cars with any kind of downforce are very expensive exotic cars. I'm talking stock vehicles, not the cars that have giant wings tacked on. For most street cars you are talking about lift, or the lack of it.

It's probably a worn out suspension that is your problem. If your shocks are worn out, it could certainly give you a floaty feeling at higher speeds. How many miles are on your Boxster?

The fastest I've driven my '02 is 130 mph, and it felt fine, but I have refreshed my suspension completely.

flmont · 08-11-2019, 10:40 AM

Hi Racer ,83 K ,and NO evidence of any component's being replaced, Handling great at 70-75 after that way loose.

flmont · 08-11-2019, 11:01 AM

Byprodriver,..tires are good,no damage,.but rims have some small mount of curb rash,I will look for a alignment shop ,..Just pushed on the fenders,..bounce's real easy ,.!

BYprodriver · 08-11-2019, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flmont

Byprodriver,..tires are good,no damage,.but rims have some small mount of curb rash,I will look for a alignment shop ,..Just pushed on the fenders,..bounce's real easy ,.!

Try to find a alignment shop that can give you a printout of the alignment settings before & after they align it, and if it needs new struts install those 1st.

kk2002s · 08-12-2019, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flmont

Byprodriver,..tires are good,no damage,.but rims have some small mount of curb rash,I will look for a alignment shop ,..Just pushed on the fenders,..bounce's real easy ,.!

I think you have found the issue. It should be very hard to push down on these cars and get any bounce, at least that is how mine behaves. At 110 I feel absolutely no float. If I have a fullish tank of fuel and at 75 mph when the rear spoiler deploys, the car just gets so planted and I can feel it get very stable.

Starter986 · 08-12-2019, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racer Boy

Downforce? The only street cars with any kind of downforce are very expensive exotic cars. I'm talking stock vehicles, not the cars that have giant wings tacked on. For most street cars you are talking about lift, or the lack of it.

It's probably a worn out suspension that is your problem. If your shocks are worn out, it could certainly give you a floaty feeling at higher speeds. How many miles are on your Boxster?

The fastest I've driven my '02 is 130 mph, and it felt fine, but I have refreshed my suspension completely.

Where? 5? 405? 16? 167? I'm trying to think where is there a stretch of road that would be sraight enough to accomodate that speed. Ima former 98444er (not bragging).

130 huh? Sounds like I've another visit to the 210 and an extra 11mph...

Racer Boy · 08-12-2019, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starter986

Where? 5? 405? 16? 167? I'm trying to think where is there a stretch of road that would be sraight enough to accomodate that speed. Ima former 98444er (not bragging).

130 huh? Sounds like I've another visit to the 210 and an extra 11mph...

Pacific Raceways. 120 mph at the Ridge, about 125 mph at Portland Int'l Raceway.

Starter986 · 08-12-2019, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racer Boy

Pacific Raceways. 120 mph at the Ridge, about 125 mph at Portland Int'l Raceway.

Ahhhhh. The old S I R. Great memories of the 70's at that place.

Cheers!

Racer Boy · 08-12-2019, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starter986

Ahhhhh. The old S I R. Great memories of the 70's at that place.

Cheers!

Still a great track! The just repaved the track from turn two to nine, so it's a lot smoother than it used to be.

There are lots of roads in Washington where it would be easy to hit 130 +. It just depends on your tolerance for risk (as in getting busted).

flmont · 09-15-2019, 03:29 PM

Starter it has 84 K..and I am going to have my rims and tires balenced,..hopfully on the car I just had it looked over they said shocks seemed ok, not exactly reassuring ,..I dont think they spent much time with it just a quick once over

maytag · 08-11-2019, 01:47 PM

83k and "bounces real easy" suggests it's time for new dampers.
This will absolutely affect high speed stability.

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thstone · 08-11-2019, 08:12 PM

Unlike an older 911, the front of a Boxster shouldn't get light at high speeds - it should feel rock solid up to 130+ mph. As the others have said, check tires, suspension, and alignment.

alm001 · 08-12-2019, 05:02 AM

The front wheel spats, if missing will cause a slight feeling of lift past 100mph. Are yours intact?

NewArt · 08-14-2019, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alm001

The front wheel spats, if missing will cause a slight feeling of lift past 100mph. Are yours intact?

I'd like to know the effect that these have on the aerodynamics of the car. They seem pretty small, but they must have been put there fore a reason?

flmont · 08-15-2019, 04:38 PM

ALM001,...what are wheel spats,..

flmont · 08-15-2019, 04:42 PM

Dealer alignment fee 385.00 for a four wheel laser alignment. Gee do they still spin balance like the old hunter alignment systems use to do , I wonder

Racer Boy · 08-15-2019, 06:01 PM

I'd find an independent alignment shop, they'll do a better job anyway for less money. You can ask for recommendations here or locally.

The problem isn't your alignment, it's your shocks. Replace the shocks (and you may as well replace the lower control arms while you have it apart; in fact, you may as well also replace the sway bar links, inner tie rod ends, and trailing arms, because they aren't far behind the shocks in wearing out), and then have an alignment done . No need to waste your money on an alignment when it won't fix the issue, and you'll need another one after rebuilding the suspension.

JayG · 08-16-2019, 04:47 PM

For $385, you can get a race shop to a better than laser rack alignment