No more clunk in the trunk

**Yellow Submarine** · #1 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 12:50 PM

Hi Folks,

A number of you have reported the rear end clunk issue so I thought I would pass this along. I took delivery of an '07 CS (18's, no PASM) ten days ago and experienced the problem over sharp bumps at speed. My dealer resolved the problem by adjusting the lower portion of the hatch locking mechanism. The service advisor tells me that the position of the locking mechanism is adjustable, and if set too high leaves excess play when the hatch is closed, thus producing the clunk when the too loose hatch slams down on the lock. The dealer had to remove a fair amount of carpet and trim in the rear of the car to get at the point of adjustment so I am not sure that this a DIY job.

It is probably too soon to know that this has corrected the problem for good, but so far so good.

Otherwise my car is perfect, and a real hoot. I loved my '96 993, but the CS is is a much more modern car and way more fun to drive. As those of you who have taken delivery know, the handling is simply beyond belief...

Steve

**Snaxster** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 04:03 PM

Hi, Yellow Submarine. Interesting. It may be that in some Caymans the play in the hatch locking mechanism allows the rubber/metal phase cancellation apparatus inside the hatch (as identified by Ranier) to manifest its clunking sound. If so, I predict that if ever you drive your own Cayman over the right kind of bumps your car will manifest the
dreaded clunk.

May you never drive over such a bump.

Congrats on the fix so far!

Snaxster

John H · #3 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 04:19 PM

I too have had mine for 10 days and it clunks.

I have wound up the rubber bumps stops on the tailgate, which is a cruder way of doing the same job as outlined above, namely it tightens up the lock. This has definitely reduced the amount of clunking, but it has not eradicated it entirely.

John H

MDR Caymans · #4 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 04:24 PM

Thanks for the info. Keep us posted.

**Snaxster** · #5 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 04:30 PM

Hi, John. Have a look at this thread, follow the links therein, then please tell us what you decide to do and how you fare:

http://www.caymanclub.net/showthread...81176#poststop

Good Luck!

Snaxster

John H · #6 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaxster

Hi, John. Have a look at this thread, follow the links therein, then please tell us what you decide to do and how you fare:

http://www.caymanclub.net/showthread...81176#poststop

Good Luck!

Snaxster

Mmmm, very intersting. I have read all the stuff about the weight thing inside the hatch, and I have my suspicions that it is not the culprit. The thunk in my car sounds more like it is coming from the floor of the car, as if a heavy tool kit was poorly strapped down and was being jostled on certain bumps. For the avoidance of linguistic doubt, can I assume that the American "bumper" is the same as the UK "bumper" ... ie the rear PU?

I have not rushed back to Porsche for a fix, precisely cos I don't want them taking the car apart until they know why they are doing so.

I will wait and watch

By the way, how woud I know if my car has the older or later style rubber bump stops? ANyone got a picture of the two?

John H

SJD · #7 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 07:51 PM

I had/have the clunck too and it drives me nuts. The dealer "fixed" this the last time I had it in. THEY MADE IT WORSE. I need to take it back in and will mention this method. Thanks. -sjd

**Yellow Submarine** · #8 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 08:41 PM

In case it helps, the work was done at Reeves Porsche in Tampa. The service advisor was Matt Rouse, who should be able explain what was done.

Steve

**Snaxster** · #9 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

Mmmm, very intersting. I have read all the stuff about the weight thing inside the hatch, and I have my suspicions that it is not the culprit.

That's understandable, but...

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

The thunk in my car sounds more like it is coming from the floor of the car, as if a heavy tool kit was poorly strapped down and was being jostled on certain bumps.

I would like to say that you are describing the canonical "thunk" so many of us have experienced; it's tempting. But judge whether my own description is like your experience: At its worst, the thunk is almost palpable, like a force striking you in the back. At that intensity it's a sound you seem to feel. In any case, the thunk has a deep bass component with a percussive top end.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

For the avoidance of linguistic doubt, can I assume that the American "bumper" is the same as the UK "bumper" ... ie the rear PU?

Pardon my ignorance, but I don't know the term "PU" as used with a car.

So I'm not sure in this context. I know we've talked about the "bump stops", but not "bumpers", I think. In American English, the bumpers are the parts of a car (front and rear) meant to absorb mild impact, as when parking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

I have not rushed back to Porsche for a fix, precisely cos I don't want them taking the car apart until they know why they are doing so.

I will wait and watch

That I understand. It's the reasonable thing to do. I was less reasonable and trusted the tech (who was at the level of shop foreman) to interpret the instructions in a way he thought would not hurt my car. I got lucky; he succeeded, in my opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

By the way, how woud I know if my car has the older or later style rubber bump stops? ANyone got a picture of the two?

My belief is that since your car was made so recently it has the newer ones. Sorry, but I don't have pics.

Snaxster

Terry Thomas · #10 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow Submarine

I loved my '96 993, but the CS is is a much more modern car and way more fun to drive. As those of you who have taken delivery know, the handling is simply beyond belief...

Steve

I sold my '95 993, which I really loved, in favor of the CaymanS. Got a lot of grief from my 993 loving friends, but I agree with your assessment of the CS. I have never looked back.

John H · #11 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 10:52 PM

Snaxster,

Thanks for that. Yeah bumpers, the panels front and rear, made of polyurethane, hence often referred to as PU's.

The bump stop rubbers on mine look unusually complex, which makes me suspect they are the revised ones, but I'll take a pic and publish it tomorrow. I may also tighten them another half turn and see what happens.

I can see how both sets of components could have a part in this. The damping weight may well be the ultimate culprit, but it might be a slackness in the locking set-up of the tailgate which is causing it to move and clunk.

One thing is for sure, I don't wan't anyone dis-assembling any of the trim panels needlessly. Most of the fittings used are intended for "one-time" usage only, and will never fit as snugly if removed and replaced. They should of course all be renewed, but I'd bet a weeks wages they aren't.

John H

**Snaxster** · #12 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

Yeah bumpers, the panels front and rear, made of polyurethane, hence often referred to as PU's.

Ah... cheers, John.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

The bump stop rubbers on mine look unusually complex, which makes me suspect they are the revised ones, but I'll take a pic and publish it tomorrow. I may also tighten them another half turn and see what happens.

About this: I tried tightening mine. Even with small increments I sometimes reached a point where the hatch was noticeably more difficult to close (though a side door was open to let air escape.) I have wondered whether Porsche needed to leave a certain amount of slack to prevent too much shock being taken by the rear window. I think others have discussed this here in older threads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

I can see how both sets of components could have a part in this. The damping weight may well be the ultimate culprit, but it might be a slackness in the locking set-up of the tailgate which is causing it to move and clunk.

My thinking exactly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

One thing is for sure, I don't wan't anyone dis-assembling any of the trim panels needlessly. Most of the fittings used are intended for "one-time" usage only, and will never fit as snugly if removed and replaced.

Oof. I wish you hadn't said that.

Reality check!

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H

They should of course all be renewed, but I'd bet a weeks wages they aren't.

But thanks for mentioning this. I'll ask my tech about it.

Snaxster