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After sitting for the winter, the car has started making noises in the rear suspension that it didn't make last year.
When driving, it sounds like creaking and rattling, and is worse after driving. Pushing and pulling up on the rear replicates the noise, and again, is much worse after driving. The struts *seem* ok, as there is decent bounce-back, but I know that isn't the only factor in diagnosing an issue. I also plan to grease all bushings asap to see if that might alleviate anything, but we'll see.
I have attached a video that shows the sounds coming from the rear left and rear right after a 45 minute drive. The sounds are similar, but not exactly the same.
If you could check out the video and share your opinion, I would appreciate it!
What you can do spray some PB plaster on 1 set of bushings at a time. Take it for a spin and see if the noise goes away. If it does you find the part that needs to be replaced. If not, move to the next bushing. Only do 1 at a time though so you can figure out which one is doing it. That noise is either the ball joint (very likely) or the rubber bushing.
The other method is to have someone pushing down on the car while you are close to the sound listening. Not as easy to do. Gopro can be your ears also.
Or, if your budget allows and you plan on keeping your ride for a couple years, you can replace all 3 parts. They'll all need it soon if they don't already ( my '01 Box with 110K miles did). It's not hard to do or incredibly time consuming.
You'll need to replace your sway bar links too sometime if you haven't. They can be done later if you don't want to spend the extra hundie.
If your struts have over 50K consider swapping them out. These are a bit more spendy.
If your struts have over 50K consider swapping them out. These are a bit more spendy.
This is correct. Your struts are probably done, and Boxster struts are stupidly expensive. The lowest priced name brand I've found is Koni Reds, at about $700 a set.
This is correct. Your struts are probably done, and Boxster struts are stupidly expensive. The lowest priced name brand I've found is Koni Reds, at about $700 a set.
Speaking of which: Pelican is having a 20% off sale on Koni struts.
What you can do spray some PB plaster on 1 set of bushings at a time. Take it for a spin and see if the noise goes away. If it does you find the part that needs to be replaced. If not, move to the next bushing. Only do 1 at a time though so you can figure out which one is doing it. That noise is either the ball joint (very likely) or the rubber bushing.
The other method is to have someone pushing down on the car while you are close to the sound listening. Not as easy to do. Gopro can be your ears also.
I will definitely try this first to try and pinpoint my issue
Or, if your budget allows and you plan on keeping your ride for a couple years, you can replace all 3 parts. They'll all need it soon if they don't already ( my '01 Box with 110K miles did). It's not hard to do or incredibly time consuming.
You'll need to replace your sway bar links too sometime if you haven't. They can be done later if you don't want to spend the extra hundie.
If your struts have over 50K consider swapping them out. These are a bit more spendy.
Its cheaper than new car payments!
When you say "all three parts" what exactly are you referring to? lower and rearward control arms and struts?
This is correct. Your struts are probably done, and Boxster struts are stupidly expensive. The lowest priced name brand I've found is Koni Reds, at about $700 a set.
They could be - they sound *juicy* (if that makes sense) when pushing up and down on the rear - after the car has been sitting. After a drive, then you hear the noise in the video.
Rockauto has Bilsteins for 190 a side so might go that route eventually.
When you say "all three parts" what exactly are you referring to? lower and rearward control arms and struts?
Coffin arm, control arm link (has ball joint), and track arm (lacks ball joint, forked on one end), identified specifically in photo below. RMEuropean has rear Bilstein B4's for $222/e or the better B6's for $218/e. I replaced front stock B4's with B6's and it tidied things up quite a bit. Also need the shock bearing plates, and shock mount. If you decide to do the struts later you'll obviously have to take apart much of what you just did or paid to have done. It's not a hard job if you're slightly mechanically inclined and have the space and time.
Coffin arm, control arm link (has ball joint), and track arm (lacks ball joint, forked on one end), identified specifically in photo below. RMEuropean has rear Bilstein B4's for $222/e or the better B6's for $218/e. I replaced front stock B4's with B6's and it tidied things up quite a bit. Also need the shock bearing plates, and shock mount. If you decide to do the struts later you'll obviously have to take apart much of what you just did or paid to have done. It's not a hard job if you're slightly mechanically inclined and have the space and time.
Gotcha - thanks for this information!
I am going to investigate further next week when I have some nice weather. I appreciate your help. (And everyone else of course!)
For the record: there isn't a _push_ on this. I was in the same place the last couple years. It sorta sucked to drop all that jingle on some non-racy suspension bits but on this side a few weeks after a recent HPDE it was worth it.
05-06-2021 | 11:18 AM
99 Boxster Rear Suspension noises
