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As the years go by, more and more German cars are imported into the U.S., and with stylish design and intuitive engineering across a range of manufacturers, it’s not hard to see why. One of the most beloved German manufacturers is Porsche, offering cars that exude luxury and glamour, such as the infamous 911. Porsche knows how to give drivers a thrilling performance ride.

However, one thing that is certain to ruin any dream-like driving experience is annoying squeaking, screeching, or clunking noises coming from your suspension. This article aims to provide an overview of your suspension as well as shed some light on just what could be causing the worrisome noises coming from the suspension of your Porsche.

What is a suspension and what does it do?

The suspension of your Porsche is a system comprised of moving parts and shock-absorbing parts. The parts of the suspension system work together to react to changing and uneven road surfaces. This ensures that any road seems as smooth as possible for the driver. If a suspension is failing or is worn out, the driving experience will feel noticeably harder with bumps in the road that jarr and rattle the car as well as the driver.

While different car manufacturers all have their own version of the “perfect” suspension, all suspension systems will have the same 3 key parts:

Springs

The springs are one of the moving parts of the suspension and are designed to contract as the wheel moves upwards and expand when the wheel lowers. This keeps the chasse of the vehicle parallel to the road at all times, keeping the ride feeling smooth.

Shock Absorbers

The shock absorbers are responsible for absorbing all the energy that is built up from driving along uneven roads. They prevent a build up of this kinetic energy by converting it into heat energy. This absorption process helps to catch any of the excess kinetic energy that isn’t balanced out by the movement of the suspension springs.

Anti-Roll Bars

The anti-roll bars give some structure to the suspension system and are designed to stop your Porsche from rolling over when taking even the sharpest of corners by distributing the vehicles weight and energy evenly.

What noise are you hearing?

When you first notice noises coming from your suspension, the first thing you should do is listen to the sound, noting whether its a screech, a clunk, etc., as well as when they occur such as on bumpy roads or when turning. Knowing the type of sound you are hearing as well as when it occurs can help you to begin to diagnose the suspension troubles you might be having.

What is causing the noise?

Unlubricated Parts

Squealing and screeching sounds are indicative of dry or unoiled parts. Your Porsche’s suspension needs to have oil on its moving parts to ensure they move smoothly and efficiently as needed. Without the correct amount of oil, they can struggle to move smoothly and can grind against each other, creating the squealing or screeching sound and potentially causing damage to these parts over time.

Old Ball-Joints

If you hear screeching or clunking, specifically when cornering, then it is likely there is a problem with the ball-joints of your suspension. The ball-joint connect the suspension to your vehicle’s wheels and are flexible, allowing for a wide range of smooth motions. If these joints become worn or stiff, their motions won’t be smooth, resulting in noises when turning.

Worn Bushing

If you’re hearing a range of noises accompanied by increased vibrations when driving, then it is likely that the bushing of your Porsche’s suspension is worn-out and in need of replacement. Bushing is part of the shock absorbing section of your suspension. It is designed to absorb both vibrations and noises as your car and suspension moves.

Getting Noisy Suspensions Repaired

Luckily, if you live in or around Upper Makefield Township, Yardley, Newtown, and Morrisville, PA, and you’re noticing your Porsche’s suspension is becoming noisy, then Glenwood Foreign Car is here to help. We are specialists in imported cars. Our knowledgeable mechanics are on hand to help so call us or stop by for a consultation today.