997 GT3, help needed
Discussion
Having purchased my 997.1 GT3 from OPC (Glasgow) back in november, I noticed that under power/acceleration the car pulls to the left.
OPC drove the car and agreed. It was booked in and they said they were going to replace something in the rack and front suspension setup. they didn't tell me specifics.
They have carried out the work and phoned me today saying that it is still pulling to the left. They said that they have done all they can including the geometry and all is coming into their set specifications and that this pulling to he left is just a characteristic of the car and is the same as torque steer (i thought this only happened on FWD cars?). They also said that I have to remember the car has a LSD and so this might cause it.
To be honest i think this sounds like an excuse for a problem they can't fix. In my opinion i think they should be looking at the rear set up for the car as the pulling only arises under power, even at light loads on cruise control at 70 it is pulling left.
Any advice or ideas on what might be going on would be greatly appreciated or even if other GT3 owners could tell me if they had noticed similar in theirs as the technician said having driven other GT3s they do the same.
Thanks in advance.
OPC drove the car and agreed. It was booked in and they said they were going to replace something in the rack and front suspension setup. they didn't tell me specifics.
They have carried out the work and phoned me today saying that it is still pulling to the left. They said that they have done all they can including the geometry and all is coming into their set specifications and that this pulling to he left is just a characteristic of the car and is the same as torque steer (i thought this only happened on FWD cars?). They also said that I have to remember the car has a LSD and so this might cause it.
To be honest i think this sounds like an excuse for a problem they can't fix. In my opinion i think they should be looking at the rear set up for the car as the pulling only arises under power, even at light loads on cruise control at 70 it is pulling left.
Any advice or ideas on what might be going on would be greatly appreciated or even if other GT3 owners could tell me if they had noticed similar in theirs as the technician said having driven other GT3s they do the same.
Thanks in advance.
Tyres tyres tyres.
Almost every instance of this tends to be caused by rear tyres assuming of course nothing is loose or broken.
Switch rear tyres over and see if it pulls the other way.
Diff is also a potential source but you need to always remove rear tyres from the equation as a first point when the car pulls to the side. If you don't you could replace every single component on the car and still be getting it.
Almost every instance of this tends to be caused by rear tyres assuming of course nothing is loose or broken.
Switch rear tyres over and see if it pulls the other way.
Diff is also a potential source but you need to always remove rear tyres from the equation as a first point when the car pulls to the side. If you don't you could replace every single component on the car and still be getting it.
Something not right there for sure, I'm on my 2nd GT3 and never seen this 'trait', has it just started doing this ??
The LSD I guess could be a possible cause, but then this should be investigated by them and fixed accordingly, of course probably scope to argue wear and tear here maybe.
Another cause could be the rear suspension set up, but probably not if they confirm that's all ok ??
I guess if hands off and coasting it runs true, that also sort of rules out brake binding,tyres, & wheel bearings etc.
I 'presume' they have checked the tyres closely ??
If one was quite new and the other quite worn, then different diameters, so in theory I guess that could cause this symptom ??
The LSD I guess could be a possible cause, but then this should be investigated by them and fixed accordingly, of course probably scope to argue wear and tear here maybe.
Another cause could be the rear suspension set up, but probably not if they confirm that's all ok ??
I guess if hands off and coasting it runs true, that also sort of rules out brake binding,tyres, & wheel bearings etc.
I 'presume' they have checked the tyres closely ??
If one was quite new and the other quite worn, then different diameters, so in theory I guess that could cause this symptom ??
Edited by Sandy59 on Thursday 11th April 13:12
Thanks for the input guys. Done more reading and looks like tyres should be their first port of call.
For them to spend 2 whole days working on the car and parts etc and say its a characteristic doesn't add up. Why not just tell me that from day 1.
I noticed it first when I took it on the motorway, but I work offshore so really have only had about 2 months use of the car. So for all I know it might have been doing this since I picked the car up but have only noticed myself about a month and a half ago.
The car is also getting a brand new fuel tank as it is reading zero when there is still a third of the fuel left. (I posted on here about this problem)
They said they will test drive it again tomorrow after the tanks been changed and calibrated.
Im not going to take the car back until this pulling has been fixed. Just good to have some ammunition/suggestions to throw at them so any more info would be great.
For them to spend 2 whole days working on the car and parts etc and say its a characteristic doesn't add up. Why not just tell me that from day 1.
I noticed it first when I took it on the motorway, but I work offshore so really have only had about 2 months use of the car. So for all I know it might have been doing this since I picked the car up but have only noticed myself about a month and a half ago.
The car is also getting a brand new fuel tank as it is reading zero when there is still a third of the fuel left. (I posted on here about this problem)
They said they will test drive it again tomorrow after the tanks been changed and calibrated.
Im not going to take the car back until this pulling has been fixed. Just good to have some ammunition/suggestions to throw at them so any more info would be great.
Mine pulls straight and true either on or off the power - only with a severe "trench" (as generated by trucks on the inside lane of the motorway) will it "pull" at all - but then again my geometry is perfect!
Perhaps ask them to send you the geometry printout and publish it on here for comments ....
My guess would either be rear toe settings or a bush that's allowing a fraction of movement (and so maybe wearing out)!
Perhaps ask them to send you the geometry printout and publish it on here for comments ....
My guess would either be rear toe settings or a bush that's allowing a fraction of movement (and so maybe wearing out)!
I sold my old Cayman to my mate, who then had a bump in it. Had the OPC fix the car. Part of the fix was a new rear wheel and a new rear tyre.
After the fix the car pulled to the right when on power. The OPC had it back. They changed one of the dampers and sent the car back. the car still pulled to the right.
I drove the car myself and felt the issue. It was very noticeable, almost dangerous, as you had to correct with left steering input and then when you let off the power the nose would drop and the car would dart to the left.
It was only whilst stood behind the car later that day that I noticed the tread patterns on the two rear tyres were a bit different.
It turns out that when the OPC replaced the rear tyre and wheel they fitted a Michelin PS2 tyre.
All the other tyres on the car were Michelin Pilot SuperSports.......
Once the rear tyres were matching the car was back to its usual self.
So, as fiorano said, check the tyres first. Make sure they are same brand and have the same level of wear on and then swap them around and see if that flips the issue.
After the fix the car pulled to the right when on power. The OPC had it back. They changed one of the dampers and sent the car back. the car still pulled to the right.
I drove the car myself and felt the issue. It was very noticeable, almost dangerous, as you had to correct with left steering input and then when you let off the power the nose would drop and the car would dart to the left.
It was only whilst stood behind the car later that day that I noticed the tread patterns on the two rear tyres were a bit different.
It turns out that when the OPC replaced the rear tyre and wheel they fitted a Michelin PS2 tyre.
All the other tyres on the car were Michelin Pilot SuperSports.......
Once the rear tyres were matching the car was back to its usual self.
So, as fiorano said, check the tyres first. Make sure they are same brand and have the same level of wear on and then swap them around and see if that flips the issue.
In addition, check the manufacturing date on the tyres to see if they're even a pair. If you've left it stood for long periods whilst you've been working away there could also be a distortion to the shape (flat-spot) - a spin on a wheel balancer should reveal this. If there is a distortion I don't know if this can be resolved by driving (with care) at either very low (but not vulnerable) or very high pressures, but it could be worth a try.
I think this might be my old GT3 you have, 2007 cobalt blue clubsport by any chance? I sold it back to Porsche Edinburgh/Glasgow last summer and I know it was sitting with them for a while.
If it is, I can assure you this never happened when I owned the car, definitely OPC trying to make excuses....
G9
If it is, I can assure you this never happened when I owned the car, definitely OPC trying to make excuses....
G9
Trev450 said:
fioran0 said:
Tyres tyres tyres.
Almost every instance of this tends to be caused by rear tyres assuming of course nothing is loose or broken.
Switch rear tyres over and see if it pulls the other way.
^ This.Almost every instance of this tends to be caused by rear tyres assuming of course nothing is loose or broken.
Switch rear tyres over and see if it pulls the other way.
Unevenly worn or poorly matched tyres are the first place to start.
I have had this breifly on a previous 996 RS. I would check tyres first - pressures is the obvious one (though I am sure you have checked this), tyre shape is the other one, and finally, I also had this problem when a new cup diff was installed. It needed some adjustment that the indy made and it stopped doing so....can't remember the technical details though PM me and I can put you in touch with the Indy.
Spoke to technician again and he partly admitted that its not a characteristic of the car. Said he has looked at eveything front and back and can't find anything wrong. They changed steering rod and bottom end and re did the geometry on the car, the report of which that I will get tomorrow.
He said he will drive the car again tomorrow and I can come out with him to check on the problem together. Not sure what this will achieve but at least we can have words face to face.
Yeh G9 NGR it is the Glasgow/Edinburgh car you had. Good to know it didn't do this when you had it.
Think I might get them to swap the tyres about and see if it changes anything. The car doesn't sit too long cos I leave it at my folks when Im away and the car gets driven by my old man.
Thanks all again for the help and will keep you updated as to how this goes.
He said he will drive the car again tomorrow and I can come out with him to check on the problem together. Not sure what this will achieve but at least we can have words face to face.
Yeh G9 NGR it is the Glasgow/Edinburgh car you had. Good to know it didn't do this when you had it.
Think I might get them to swap the tyres about and see if it changes anything. The car doesn't sit too long cos I leave it at my folks when Im away and the car gets driven by my old man.
Thanks all again for the help and will keep you updated as to how this goes.
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