Body creaking :(

[Mike the mechanic]

I have suppressed this for long enough. I must come forth and speak of this in hopes of resolve or at least comfort.
When I go over a sloped sidewalk or any hump for that matter, with my front right wheel first (at an angle) I hear a creaking sound coming from the right area right near the dash/door area. It isn't the torsion bar bushings. It seems like chassis flex. Has anyone heard of anything like this?

Mike
86 Carrera t

[82SC]

my car does that when rolling off my steep driveway...I always assume chassis flex...

[Superman]

My body creaks too, Mike. Exercise, diet and rest can all help but there is no 'restoration shop.' I wish I were a car.

[wacky73t]

I'd sure like to know too, if anyone with creaking experience (jump in now) would like to iterate.
how DO you differentiate between the body or bushings.-

sorry guys, I hate posting a question to a question too.
But I have been supressing this question as well for a long time.

[Jorgeman]

At least two of you indicate your car is a Targa. Are you SURE it's not Targa Top squeaks? My 86 Targa did a lot of squeaking before I lubed the top's aligning pins a rubbers with Sil-Glyde--a silicone lubricant that has worked wonders in quieting my car. Try removing the top and see if the squeaks are modified or disappear. I've also found the Sil-Glyde to be long lasting--at least 6 mos. or more between applications. Good Luck.

george 86T

[wacky73t]

Mine would be one of those. (Targa)
I rarely have the top on, besides You can hear it coming from the downward rear area,at least on mine, and I couldnt be certain how many either.

Anyway- thanks for the Sil-Glyde tip. that doesn't sound like a bad idea to do anyway.

[stormcrow]

Mike,

Only people over 50 have those problems. However, my Targa does creak every now and then. I think it's flexing its muscle.


Steve

[roGERK]

Targas (despite the extra strengthening) do flex somewhat, which is why serious folks never use them for racing and track days... Even when new, it was well known that Targas (when cornered really hard) suffered shifting problems due to body flex...

As for metal fatigue, the steel used on Porsches is of excellent quality (surprised?) and the only cases of metal fatigue I've heard about in the old car world apply to REALLY old cars e.g. Bugattis and Bentleys that are now over 70 years old.

I'd say even 356 owners have got another 20 years at least before the problem of metal fatigue rears its ugly head.

NOTE: All bets are off if your car is suffering structural corrosion - that means serious rust in the sills and the torsion bar mounting points, the inner (not outer!) wings etc etc.

- roGER

[Jdub]

have you been playing with the fit of your front hood at all recently? Especially the hinge bolts?

Also, be sure to check your car for creaks by first removing the Targa top, then rolling each window down to about 1/2, then turn the handle back against the window about 1/4 turn to snug up the internals. This eliminates many creaks.

John

[pbs911]

A front a-arm bushing creak is very different than a chasis creak. The former resinates the creak from much further up in the chasis. When you have it you know. For me, when this happens its time top squirt a little grease into the a-arm bushings.

My targa also creaks when comming up an inclined driveway into the street. It is definately not the bushing but comes from under the glove box/frame area. I have had some success gettign rid of this creak by completely removing the glove box and makeing sure everything is fastened correctly. these thngs can be a bear to track down.

[Mike the mechanic]

My car is a coupe!!!

Mike
86 Carrera t