JTW

Hey, I've got pretty evident clunking (both sides of the front end) over mild bumps and road imperfections after some mildly spirited driving this morning. Car has about 400 miles. If we assume these are loose droplinks, is this something I can easily remedy by myself or is it a dealership/warranty issue? I've done a seach but didn't really see a definitive answer on this. Thanks all.

RayGT3

Loose sway bar links have been a relatively common problem. The recommended fix is to retorque using lock-tite. This usually takes care of the problem. Or if you have the time or inclanation you can let the dealer take care of it. Generally not a big deal.

SYMA

Hey JTW,
While I don't have quite the car you have, I do have the exact same noise. After much reading here and having my dealer tighten my drop links about 5 times now they are replacing them next week. Another member here had his replaced and although there appeared to be nothing wrong with the old links, the clunking stopped and never returned. I hope I have the same luck.

SYMA

RayGT3

I haven't heard this about 996's but there were some comments made that Boxter drop links were failing prematurely. Don't know if there might be a corralation, just some food for thought.

arenared

I'm pretty active on a lot of the boards, and I haven't heard of Boxster end links failing. They are the same as on the 996 (including swaybars, wheel carriers, subframe, etc.). I've also not heard of end links becoming loose. But, that's not to say it doesn't happen. What is common, however, especially for anyone who goes to a stiff GT3 setup or TRG bars is that the swaybar bushing bolts to the subframe come loose. For me, Loctite solved this. The next common area is clunking endlinks. This is due to play that develops between the ball and its race from the higher loading. This is not something that can be fixed by adjusting, however.

RevUrGT3

Hey Jim,

Is the sound looks like it is coming from the wheels area, you might need the front sway bar re-torqued. If the sound looks like is coming from the top/center part of the hood, you might have the same issue that some of us have seen:

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-gt2-gt3-forum/184736-funky-noise.html

JTW

All, thanks for the replies. Ivan, the sound does seem as if it's coming from the top/center part of the hood. Not very confidence inspiring, if you know what I mean. I'm gonna have it checked this week.
I'll let you all know.

JTW

As suspected, loose sway bar links. Service rep said it looked as if they had never been tightened down at the factory. Do you think this is due to the packing material being removed? BTW, how many miles you guys putting on your cars before doing a proper alignment?

Thanks.

datax

My front sway bar links come loose recently. I think I need to retighten again and this is the second time in few months. What torque spec do you guys use to tighten it? Anyone?

Rob in VA

Even within the correct torque spec, the nuts will loosen up.

I replaced the OEM nut with two nuts on each drop link. They haven't loosen up since.

va122

Mine get loose all the time. It's a crimping nut that can wear out.

85Gold

Added lock washers and no more problems.

Peter

Oak

amazing what a pair of lock washers will do.

datax

Very good tips! I didn't get any idea about doing such thing. Thanks fellas! Sorry had to dig up a 4 years old thread. lol

va122

FWIW, I had a clunking sound and it turned out to be a broken axle!