Front end noise

[Mike80911]

Hi all I have an 04 Cayenne Base model there is a noise in the front end when backing up slowly with the wheel turned I had it to 2 different shops the first one not a Porsche specific shop said that the noise was normal but I knew it was not there before. The next shop local dealer said I need a new front differential anyone here ever have a problem with the differential and if so what were the symptoms of yours. Thanks

[wcc]

Can you describe the noise? The brake pads kinda move around especially if they are about half worn. Just a click or slight clunk could be that and normal. But a constant grinding sound could be something to look in to.

[Mike80911]

It sounds more like a grinding noise sort of like when you make a hard u turn with all wheel drive and the transfer case bumps and also feels like a tire with a broken belt as I said it is more pronounced when in reverse and going very slow

[wcc]

Your description sounds similar to what happened to ours but it wasn't in the front but more in the middle/back? Anyways, it got worse and worse then one day BAM! The car vibrated so bad and wasn't driveable. We towed it in and it turned out that the drive shaft gave way. After replacing the drive shaft all is good. Turns out that replacing the drive shaft is pretty common on these '04s. I would at least rule that component out before focusing on other parts.

[Mike80911]

Thanks Bill I will look into that

[SCOTITUDE]

axles. ive chased all kinda noise in the front end and replaced almost every part. your noise sounds like the cv's in the axles are shot. have them repacked or replaced. oem can get expensive. i found a driveshaft/axle place to rebuild for 100 each with new cv's and boots. you can check the bearings in front wheels first. see if there is any play but im gonna say its the axles. bearings give more of a groian when the go. the axles go crunchy crunchy. it was annoying, almost always while backing out of the driveway under high steering angles.

[Mike80911]

Thanks Scott the dealer wants to replace the differential I will ask if he is going to replace the entire front end axles and all or just the differential luckily I bought an extended warrenty so they will pay for the repair The noise you describe is what it does like a crunching mostly when backing