Front Lower Suspension Arm

[Clint B]

Hi Guys & Gals,
Been a long while since I posted here, and the car has been running lovely all year. Just put it through an MOT and its failed on excessive play in a ball joint on the nearside outer front susp. arm. Now, aparently a replacement part is only available from Porsche in Germany, and the garage can get hold of it for £446 + vat + fitting. Am I going to have to go for this or can anyone recommend an alternative place I can obtain this part? I try to stick to purchasing only genuine porsche parts, but I'm looking to replace both arms at the same time so it gonna cost over a grand already! Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. I dont want to maintain this car on a shoestring budget so I dont mind getting the genuine part if thats the only option.
Best Regards,

Clint.

 

[jackregan]

hi, porsche apart do service excahnge items for much less

http://www.porsch-apart.co.uk/home.cfm

 

[Fen]

There are several options. The Porshapart one above or similar services from Hartech or David Gilmour in Glasgow. Alternatively there are DIY kits available from places like Design 911 or Rennbay, or lastly a used arm. For very similar money you can get a billet arm from various US vendors which usually includes a replaceable ball joint and Rose joints instead of bushes, but for a road-only car that is probably not the best way to go.

I have never had to have this work done so I have no personal recommendation, but I have heard of the DIY kits not lasting long. I intend to get some aftermarket arms before I use my car again because I don't want to get to failure point before replacing mine. If I had a road only car and they wore out I think I might give a professional recon service a whirl.

 

[Clint B]

Cheers guys.
Just ordered a pair of refurbished arms from Porsche Apart. £300 altogether, once I send the old ones back. Better than about a grand for new ones from Porsche!

 

[Diver944]

Glad you're sorted out Clint.

Now as an aside - is it just me or are your front tyres (shown in the avatar pic) the normal profile size or have you fitted rubber bands? They look incredibly thin, or is it just the angle and size of photo?

 

[sawood12]

I didn't know they made 19" D90's. Look good though.

 

[Clint B]

Oh yeah, the avatar. Dont get the wrong idea about me, I'm a bit of a purist and like to keep everything as standard as I can. Especially in the way the car looks. But I put that avatar photo through photoshop just as a bit of fun. The rims are the normal 16" D90s with the correct spec tire sizes all round. Actually, I'm just about to replace the rears, can anyone suggest the best tires to have on the back? I've had a quote of £100ea for Michelins, but what do you guys think?
Best Regards,