I have a 2005 997 with just over 18K miles. I bought it about a year and a half ago with 13K miles, in excellent condition - a couple of inspections showed no accidents, perfect conditions. My only problem is I have a "clunky" sounding rattle from the right front at low speeds when hitting bumps, potholes, etc. Two mechanics have inspected it, listened to it, and haven't been able to diagnose it. Everything seems tight, no obvious problems. Has anyone encountered this sort of problem? Suggestions on what to check?

 

...same issue here with an 05 C2. It only appears hitting soft bumps when driving slowly from the passenger side front..No clue.

My only remedy was to turn the stereo louder

 

I'm sure they checked the strut tower - I had a car back in the day (not porsche) that thunked over bumps and the strut was loose in it's place.

Can you duplicate the sound by laying a rag over the front fender and (you and a buddy) push down,release, push down, release... in rapid succession? Or is it more interior-based?

 

I found a mechanic that solved the problem. He basically removed and reinstalled the front struts. No more rattle. We're both still puzzled at what caused it in the first place, but seems to be gone now. He recommends I replace the struts at some point.

Mike

 

May want to check out the front control arms and lower control arms. The ball joint and fork bushing may be the cause of front end clunking noise at low speed. The ball joint and bushings are prone to crack and failure. There are many after market supplier for these control arms. TWR, URO, and even refurbished ones from vertexauto are all suppliers for these parts. Many 996/986 cars experience these control arm issues after 3-5 years. The 997 is now a 5 year old car. The 2005-2006 cars will probably start experiencing control arm rattle/clunk noise soon.

 

..my "rattle" only appears when I drive over cobblestone driveways or imperfect roads usually below 20 mph (passenger side by the airbag/dash/or under car). Checked the door and speakers, glovebox, cupholders, ect...it almost sounds as if the underbelly pan wasn't secured to the car (which it is) ond only have 10,000 on the clock. It also seems worse when car is cold probably because that is when I drive down the cobble driveway.

 

Slant - sounds like the same essential area of trouble. The strut tower assembly or control arm bushings having started going south. Probably worse when cold because packing grease and rubber are harder and less pliable when temps are cooler - also, rubber and materials in general are more compact and rigid. Heat makes materials expand (henceforth filling in gaps and slop)

Check that whole wheel control area.

 

..thanks..appointment for Friday am at Champion Porsche

 

Slant83 - Please report back after your trip to the dealer. I'd be interested to know. Thx.

 

...will do

 

Definitely get them to check the control arms. I had this from the front left and worryingly it took 3 trips for Porsche to actually find the fault, a sheared control arm

 

Check out this post on Planet-9: http://www.planet-9.com/911-complaints/32998-carrera-rattle-dash.html.

It seems that this is not unusual in the 997. I've heard several complaints about this now. This post seems to suggest that it is a broken weld in the firewall. I have the same symptom and will have a shop check it out also.

Please report back your findings.

 

finally got the car back today. The rattle was a loose a/c line in the front passenger side of the car that got loose. 2 hrs labor at porsche..$270...silence...priceless !!!

 

Wow- Kudos to that technician for finding that hose. I'd add $20 to the total and get him a 12 pack of his favorite ale.

Glad you are fixed. Nothing leads to neurosis quicker than a sound in your car.

 

Thanks for the update, slant83. Much appreciated.