Strange New Noise... Help Pls

930LDR · 08-28-2006, 09:01 AM

So I just got back from a great weekend at Putnam Park. Had to leave early this morning for Michigan and ended up taking my 930 (complete with slicks) because the rental car place didn't open early enough. Let alone that I ended up driving into a serious down poor (which isn't fun on spanked r-compounds) the car started making a fairly loud noise coming from (I believe) the passenger side rear wheel area. At 80 mph it was loud enough to hear over the engine, over the radio and over the wind noise from the window. At that speed it almost sounded like a vibration, as if my rollbar wasn't tightened all the way down or something. I pulled off the highway to check to make sure the wheel was still tightened down and see if there was anything particularly obvious. As I slowed on the down ramp I realized it wasn't a vibration but rather a loud clicking sound that seems to keep pace with wheel rotation. Depress the clutch, it goes away. Rev the engine while stopped, doesn't happen. But as soon as I slowly begin to pull away I can hear it. Sounds almost like two pieces of metal clacking against each other.

Any thoughts!? Of course now I am 150 miles from home and stuck here for the week on business but need to try and figure out if I should drive it home (and what risks I would be exposing myself or the car to) or if I should just suck it up and have it flat bedded (ugh).

Thanks guys!

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Could be loose cv joint bolts better get it fix soon. However I perplex that it goes away when the clutch is depress and the car is still moving.

930LDR · 08-28-2006, 09:32 AM

I know... seems to only occur while the car is under load. The car will go into the shop on Friday. My only concern is whether I try to nurse it back to Chicago myself on Thursday or just bite the bullet and flatbed her.

Rob 930 · 08-28-2006, 09:53 AM

Make sure your right rear wheel is tight. I know you said you checked this, but did you actually put a wrench on it? A slightly loose wheel can make a clicking sound like you describe. As the other person mentioned, right-side CV joints are a good possibility. It could be that when you apply a load, as would be the case when you have the clutch engaged and under power, it causes relative motion in the loose parts (the wheel or CV joint) and makes a noise. It could be that the CV joint is worn out, or, it might simply be loose and could be tightened. A wheel bearing could make a sound that would vary with load, but it usually would be more of a growling sound -- not a clicking noise. Does the sound vary if you step on the brakes (even if the throttle is still applied)? If so, there may be something odd with the brake pads or rotor (like a cracked rotor). I can think of one more slight possibility -- make sure you have no debris (like a small stone) between the right brake rotor and brake backing plate. I assume you've looked to see that there are no loose bolts on the right rear suspension, right? From the way you describe it, I would plan to tow that car home unless you can positively identify what is causing the noise and that it is benign.