2004 Carrera 4S Suspension question

DWBOX2000 · 06-09-2019, 03:31 AM

In my defense, I tried posting in 996 with no response.

Took a 2004 Carrera 4S for a test drive yesterday. On a straight away it seemed to jump to the right over bumps. I wasn't on it, likely 30-50 mph. Any guess what it could be?

The car otherwise was very nice. It had a few scratches, the front spoiler lip needs to be replaced as well as the right floor trim. Not having the car on a lift, the coolant tank looked good, no drippage from Oil fill hose, under side panels looked good, bottom of engine looked a bit dirty but at 81k, I think okay. I noticed surface rust on some nuts. The dash was leather or appeared to be leather though I did not see on the option sticker (maybe standard?). Three out of 4 rims were really nice, one had some road rash. Brakes pads looked good, discs showed no cracks, rear tail lights and strip appeared very nice. The front head lights are Litronic and are very good, not new. Body seemed good. I took a magnet to it looking for bondo. Gaps all good.

What I did not like was (and I told the salesman) the radiators. Leaf galore in there. Also, under the plastic panels next to the battery, you could tell no one has cleaned in there. I didn't even remove, I just looked through the holes. If I was selling, I would clean just for perception at least (I clean mine all the time). No receipts, auction car.
A PPI is in order.

The ride was very nice. Suspension sounded really good, drove straight (except for issue above). The sound was intoxicating in a non in your face way, just got better and better as the RPM's rose. The cabin itself was quite nice. The interior was grey. Compared to the Box S, the dash (leather vs pleather) was better but the instrument cluster not as nice. Same shifter (though I swapped mine out). I was goo goo that it had a cup holder since my Boxster doesn't. Unfortunately that was short lived since it took some effort to get back in. Sunroof didn't work either. Went up and then said "I'm not moving".

Now I could go 996 Carrera but I just love the body on the 4S and the extra weight doesn't hurt either (totally backwards thinking on my part). The front and back just wow the heck out me. I was telling my car friends that the car seemed small. I know it was an illusion since it's not. Maybe it's the 18's or something else. I couldn't put my finger on it. Just for fun, the 996 2000 Boxster S comparison. It is certainly a different ride than my Box. I feel the Box is a better back road car, more nimble. Possibly more fun. It seems more responsive (I've driven 3 996's now with 33k to 80k). The box is like the young eager kid, zipping all over the place. The 996 is the cranky man who's a bit reluctant to get moving, but eventually gets up and shows who's in charge. Kid could be gone by then though. The 4S currently wins in the looks department though it could be that I have owned the Box for almost 4 years so I am forgetting the awesomeness of it's curves. It's why I bought the Box after all. Now for me, I tend to like road trips, not curve carving so the 4S just seems to make sense at this time. The ride was quieter in the coupe as to be expected though the hardtop on the Box seems to minimize the difference. Interior a tie due to the differences above.

I will likely make an offer with a list of stuff I want fixed. Fortunately, plenty of 4S's out there and I have a Box to ease the wait.

Oh, any thought on the suspension issue please let me know.

jhynesrockmtn · 06-09-2019, 06:29 AM

Maybe just needs an alignment, but have it looked at. I know from the records that came with mine as it got closer to 100k in mileage the PO had to replace a few suspension components and he didn't do them in pairs which baffles me. 1 tie rod end for example. My 4S has just over 100k on it and although the front end has a noise I need to diagnose, it tracks well. The PO had it aligned at some point in fairly recent past mileage wise. All 4S cars had full leather and if well cared for wears like iron. My car looks fairly new inside with no leather separation, etc.

Halm · 06-09-2019, 06:42 AM

Jerry, my AE has a full leather interior as well. What do you do to care for the dash?

LEAKYSEALS951 · 06-09-2019, 07:27 AM

My 997S had a loose (either steering rod joint) or lower ball joint when I got it. I think it was the steering tie rod joint.

It had the same quirk. Mine was more intermittent though. The car also was only RWD.

Wasn't able to isolate it until it was on a lift. easy fix though. Get yours on a lift and find out.

jhynesrockmtn · 06-09-2019, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halm

Jerry, my AE has a full leather interior as well. What do you do to care for the dash?

I'm not super picky about product. Just a good leather cleaner and then treatment. I think Lexol cleaner and then conditioner is what I used last time. I also store the car inside and out of the sun.

jhynesrockmtn · 06-09-2019, 07:41 AM

At 81k in miles that car should have had a clutch replacement and if not, it will need one soon. The PO of my car was a sales guy at the Porsche Dealer and had them do the clutch at a bit over 70k in miles and did the IMS bearing while in there.

Halm · 06-09-2019, 07:50 AM

Thanks Jerry. My car is treated the same as yours. Just never had a full leather interior Porsche.

DWBOX2000 · 06-09-2019, 09:02 AM

Clutch felt silky smooth. Engaged immediately lifting the foot, no grinding in any gears. Shifts like a Honda.
I would do the ims when in there but my guess is it wouldn't be for a while.
Has the 4s been realible.
Thanks guys.

HardDrive · 06-09-2019, 10:58 AM

I have a Mercedes E350. Same issue. Its minor, but I'm very sensitive that stuff. I've had a shop look over the suspension, and they can find nothing. Very minor directional instability when going over bumps or ruts in the road.

Could bad wheel bearings have enough play to cause this?

jhynesrockmtn · 06-10-2019, 12:27 PM

DWBOX200, sent you a PM

Jeff Alton · 06-10-2019, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I have a Mercedes E350. Same issue. Its minor, but I'm very sensitive that stuff. I've had a shop look over the suspension, and they can find nothing. Very minor directional instability when going over bumps or ruts in the road.

Could bad wheel bearings have enough play to cause this?

Not likely, but as they say, anything is possible. Sounds like the car has a toe problem. Has the alignment been checked?

s_morrison57 · 06-10-2019, 06:30 PM

What did the rubber look like? Any abnormal wear patterns?

Do the C4's wear their fronts the same as the C2 cars? I would expect more wear but referring to more inner or outer tread wear with the C4 as opposed to the C2. Not trying to hijack the thread, just asking.

Finn

onewhippedpuppy · 06-11-2019, 06:07 AM

If the suspension felt tight but pulled, I would strongly suspect alignment. Normally they start feeling loose and clunky when the bushings wear out.

DWBOX2000 · 06-11-2019, 07:04 AM

Thanks Matt.
I put an offer in last night. I provided a list so not sure this one is going to happen. About $400 in parts (if I bought) and a couple hours labor.

Going to see another one tonight. 10k less mileage but a large scratch where fender meets spoiler. Somehow managed to scratch both. Not sure I am a red guy but I am intrigued. I am okay with scratches. Tired of worrying about paint.

notfarnow · 06-11-2019, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

Going to see another one tonight. 10k less mileage but a large scratch where fender meets spoiler. Somehow managed to scratch both. Not sure I am a red guy but I am intrigued. I am okay with scratches. Tired of worrying about paint.

I bought my C4s pre-scratched, and love it for that very reason. Great, great car.

Might be too simple, but you may want to check tire pressure. My car behaved similar when I had a nail in a front tire and was <20psi

onewhippedpuppy · 06-11-2019, 07:58 AM

Also relative to the leaves, that’s an easy hour project if you take your time. The front bumper cover comes off easily.

1990C4S · 06-11-2019, 08:28 AM

Get it aligned. Someone told me a poorly aligned car does not drive well, and can wear out a set of tires very quickly.

And now I will slink away to order new tires...

DWBOX2000 · 06-11-2019, 08:42 AM

Regarding taking off the front bumper, is that a job that something will likely break like a clip. I tend to pre order stuff assuming the worse.

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

Regarding taking off the front bumper, is that a job that something will likely break like a clip. I tend to pre order stuff assuming the worse.

It's a pretty simple process. Wayne outlines how to remove the cover at the beginning of this tech article.

DWBOX2000 · 06-11-2019, 11:56 AM

I'm sure I can get it off. Just wondering if I should pre buy some stuff expecting something to break?