WCS

I was driving a friend's '04 Cayenne S the other day. When I take sweeping turns on highways I noticed the backside of the car would slightly swing to the direction of the turn occasionally. This gives a very nervous feeling to the car. It happens with or without PSM so I don't think the problem is with the steering wheel angle sensor.

I do notice a similar but very slight floaty feeling in my '03 S. I can't corner as confidently as before somehow. I am suspecting PSM or AWD problem because this occurs after a service update of a transfer case stepping motor.

Anyone has similar experiences? Is this simply alignment related, or are we having a transfer bug similar to Touareg but just not as pronounced?

pdxjim

I would check the air pressure.

WCS

Air pressure is fine. That's obviously the 1st thing I checked.
Tires and alignments are fine on my car. '03/'04 Tiptronics module. Not sure about the alignment on my friend's car. Both with updated Cardan shafts.

Orange_Crush

Sounds like an alignment problem to me.

Renn 951

Mine feels rock solid --- inspires lots of confidence. I do have PASM however.

JeffES

Interesting. I've only noticed wobble when playing with the throttle in a sweeper. Let us know if you find something.

Torags

Wheel sizes? But PASM should handle. Cupping tires? Mine is rock solid.

Playing with throttle in sweeps may be changing center of gravity, activating PSM.

FSAEracer03

...add throttle

mudman2

As I have written before I tend to use RT 80 in PA which consists of a lot of sweepers. I have tried it in all suspension modes and different situations because I am fascinated what this car will do at speed.

I have not seen the problem identified, it is like driving on rails even uphill or downhill on curves at (XXX) high mph accelerating decellerating overtaking undertaking fully laden empty.

The only time I have seen anything like the original description was when I was towing too fast in crosswinds :-)

Torags

In the apex...

38D

It's kind of hard to answer your question without knowing more about your own driving experience level. If you're Hans Stuck, then yes, there may be something wrong with the truck. If you've never raced or done a single DE, then maybe the issue is how you are handling the truck. A "floaty" feeling is usually from not giving the car enough throttle to firmly plant the rear end. I find the Cayenne handles very predictably, but understeers like a greased whale when pushed very hard.

996FLT6

Maybe your friend's Cayenne is rear engined : ). Seriously if it's a hit/miss affair I don't believe it has nething to do with 4wd psm whatever but road surface/tires and driver. My pepper doesn't exhibit that behavior. Good luck to your friend in finding the culprit. Mike

WCS

I've taken my S to the track a couple times and know how to make Cayenne's rear end oversteer with throttle. My friend's truck is different though. With slight throttle application, it doesn't stay on a constant radius curve. The alignment may be off, but this doesn't feel like an alignment issue.

Similar problem has been observed in Touareg's transfer case, and that's why I wonder the same problem applies to Cayenne as well.

996FLT6

WCS- where in South Bay are you from. I live in the city. Must be lotta fun at the track with the peppermobile. My wife won't let me because it's HER car. I'm not enthused bout SUV's but the pepper changed all that-brake/handling is simply amzing for an SUV. Regards. Mike

WCS

I live around San Jose area.

Yeah, it is a lot of fun to track Cayennes. Even though it isn't the fastest, it handles very well and the sight of a truck in your rear mirror is kinda funny for most fellow track drivers. The car does fish-tail even with the long wheel-base; I guess lowering the car may help (I have stock shocks & springs).

The cost of driving Cayenne on tracks though is quite high. Definetly need to get a different set of tires/wheel - regular summer ties melted and worn out very much after a short session.

BTW my dealer just foud a loose upper A-arm in the front suspension. That explains the looseness. Since the upper arms are made of aluminum, maybe it would be a long term realibility issue?