The 987 uses MacPherson-strut suspension front and rear with lightweight components, and its mid-engine layout gives the balanced, communicative handling the model is loved for.
Standard vs PASM
Most 987s ride on conventional passive dampers. PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) was an option that adds electronically controlled adaptive dampers with Normal and Sport modes and lowers the ride height slightly. On PASM cars, a knock over bumps can come not just from worn mounts but from ride-height sensors, a leaking adaptive strut, or the control system, so faults there need electronic diagnosis rather than a simple parts swap. The Cayman R and Boxster Spyder sit lower on sport-tuned setups.
Coffin-arm bushings
The most common suspension complaint across the whole 986/987/981/718 family is wear in the front lower control arm — the large A-shaped "coffin arm" — and its rubber thrust-arm bushing. Worn bushings give a mushy, disconnected front end, clunks over bumps, vague steering, and uneven front tyre wear. You can replace the whole arm or just the bushings; polyurethane and monoball upgrades (Powerflex, Tarett, Elephant Racing) are popular. Torque the bushing bolts at ride height to avoid pre-loading and premature failure.
Alignment and wheels
After any control-arm, tie-rod, or ride-height work, get a four-wheel alignment; these cars are sensitive to toe and camber. All 987s run a staggered wheel-and-tyre fitment (wider at the rear), so front-to-rear rotation is not possible — rotate side-to-side only if the tyre pattern allows. Upper strut and shock mounts also dry out and knock with age.
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