Rattle (Front Wheel Well)
 

Just to keep the 997 gang up to speed. I had been experiencing some disturbing rattle in the front right wheel well that manifested itself especially on bad roads (of which we have plenty in budget-busted California). I could endure it no longer and finally took it in to the dealership (since I'm still under warranty) and let them do their magic.

The mechanic, Steven, is first rate (at the SB Auto Group). We went for a drive the other day with me driving and him searching around and trying to pin point it. We concluded that something was either in the cowl or wheel well area. He figured that he could pull the wheel well liner up there and check things out. (These cars do come apart rather quickly).

Sure enough, along the top of the well where the a/c line returns a black plastic clip had come unclipped and the steel a/c line was striking the painted steel occasionally when the bump was sufficient. He left it open for me to see when I returned and I touched up things with touchup paint and after lunch he buttoned things up again.

Interesting. I'm glad they found the rattle for you. I'm even more amazed at how relatively clean your wheel wells are given the amount of driving you do.

Gee---and I am embarrassed at how dirty they are since I was on a dirt road the other day! (45,600 miles and growing!)

Glad its solved. Why did you touch up the inside of a wheel well - just curious?

I touched up where the steel line had scratched the paint (blue). Although hidden by the wheelwell liner, I like to make sure everything is protected--especially the hidden stuff.

Hey Dan, does the dealer mechanic use the studs to guide the wheel off straight to prevent hitting the rotors?

Absolutely. Their mech. is VERY first rate. He even uses two hockey pucks that I band-sawed in half (sliced) to lift the front part of the car. (A full puck can't get under it with their lift arrangement). Thus, he goes into my special took kit and retrieves them each time. Otherwise the underside panels can be broken.

Are you describing extra long studs to help guide the wheels off the car ? This is a great idea. Are such studs available to us on the market? I did a search but did not find anything. Thanks.

Here it is. Required only if you are in a hurry.

http://www.suncoastparts.com/product...de=99736Brakes

Nice to find the source of a problem. Great pics too.