Steering whell vibration @ 70-75 mph
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Joined: Nov 2002
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Steering whell vibration @ 70-75 mph
I have an '01 996 with 9k miles which I got new in 8/02. The steering wheel will vibrate at around 70-75 mph and I thought it was the straight grooves in the pavement (damm 8 freeway in San Diego). But I am noticing that it is also present in non-grooved asphalt. Is this a balancing problem or an alignment problem and who do you recommend to resolve it: dealer or indep. I have read here that the 996's settings need to be readjusted after the suspension has had a chance to settle after break in. Comments and suggestions will be highly appreciated.
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Yup, check the balance, but before that, Look CLOSELY at the tire tread to see if there is A cupping wear pattern. After 9000 miles it will be there even if the alignment is only slightly off. If this is the problem, replace the tires when you get the alignment done as nothing else will make the now funky tires roll smoothly.....
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bay Area, CA
If it buzzes the wheel in one narrow speed range and then clears up, probably balance.
If it is when you first tip into the brakes at that speed, probably warped rotors. You don't mention braking, so just FYI.
If it is also noisy at low speeds (something like the sound of a bad u-joint) could be cupped tires. You can feel this by running your hand quickly around the tread. Very common for Contis to do this, could be alignment related. I had this. You are under warranty, insist on free dealer alignment.
If they are out-of-round from belts you might try hitting up the tire manufacturer or Porsche for an allowance. That is a defect.
Apart from shaking a weight, most of these lead to alignment check and four new tires. Good excuse to swap into something gummier.
If it is when you first tip into the brakes at that speed, probably warped rotors. You don't mention braking, so just FYI.
If it is also noisy at low speeds (something like the sound of a bad u-joint) could be cupped tires. You can feel this by running your hand quickly around the tread. Very common for Contis to do this, could be alignment related. I had this. You are under warranty, insist on free dealer alignment.
If they are out-of-round from belts you might try hitting up the tire manufacturer or Porsche for an allowance. That is a defect.
Apart from shaking a weight, most of these lead to alignment check and four new tires. Good excuse to swap into something gummier.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 975
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From: A small horse farm in VA
Do not fail to check the air pressure first....but it sounds like a balance issue and or the tyres....I had the same issue with my '00 C4 Millennium and I ended up putting on new tyres front and back...drove on them a few hundred miles and had the balance checked again 
