Front wishbone suppliers

[g944s2]

My S2 failed its MOT, offside front suspension ball joint excessively worn and my mechanic suggested I’m better off replacing with a refurbished arm rather than going with a rebuild kit.

I’ve done some research and think the part number is 944.341.028.02, does anyone know where I can get one that’s already been refurbished as I’ve been told hartech won’t have any for 6 weeks?

I did find this one but I’ve never heard of the company: https://www.berlinettaspares.com/products/copy-of-porsche-944-s2-turbo-87-97-front-axle-wishbone-right

 

[bmnelsc]

Can't speak to that part supplier but I will point out that you probably should be shopping for two control arms...with suspension it is best to perform the same work on both sides to maintain alignment, etc. If one side has gone - the other isn't far behind unless it was damage from a curb or pot-hole, etc. Besides the ball joint the bushes on the inner ends of the control arm wear also. These are key to maintaining proper wheel alignment throughout the wheel's travel. I suspect your mechanic is considering this when he recommends refurbed control arms over ball joint kits.
Another complication for you is the S2 uses a combination of hard and soft bushes in the suspension - neither all "standard" or all "sport" so if you are keen on keeping things to spec then you need to get S2 specific parts - otherwise Turbo parts are probably the best bet to get stiffer bushes.

 

[blade7]

Can't speak to that part supplier but I will point out that you probably should be shopping for two control arms...with suspension it is best to perform the same work on both sides to maintain alignment, etc. If one side has gone - the other isn't far behind unless it was damage from a curb or pot-hole, etc.

A ball joint isn't the same as a shock or spring, plus unless you've owned it from new, there's no telling what's been replaced in the last 25+ years. Replace a ball joint when it's worn, not when another ball joint is.

 

[dlknight]

Partworks.de do similar rebuilt control arms to Hartech with a pressed in replacement ball-joint

https://partworks.de/en-en-en-partworks-de-porsche-944-6-front-axle-steering/

 

[g944s2]

Thanks for the advice and for the Partworks recommendation, I ordered from them on Monday and it’s already been delivered.

Also ordered a dust cover for the ball joint on the other side from England but that’s not turned up yet!

 

[Eldavo]

How much does it cost to return the core part though?

 

[g944s2]

£16

 

[dlknight]

Thanks for the advice and for the Partworks recommendation, I ordered from them on Monday and it’s already been delivered.

Also ordered a dust cover for the ball joint on the other side from England but that’s not turned up yet!

Great to hear you had a good experience []

I've had a few bits from them including the belt service tool kit they supply, they also remanufacture some parts that are no longer available from Porsche.

Question to the audience - how long (with normal road driving) should a rebuilt wishbone last? I replaced my front wishbones with Hartech ones in 2008 (around 60k miles ago), I got under the car recently and gave everything a good check for play and couldn't detect any play in the ball joints even when levering gently with a crowbar (do I need to do this with weight on the wheels?).

 

[Waylander]

no weight off, and how long is a bit of string, they wear out when they wear out

 

[dlknight]

no weight off, and how long is a bit of string, they wear out when they wear out

So one would assume they are good then, only movement I could detect was the wheel bearings (confirmed by tightening until there was no play and then backing off as per Porsche instructions so that the thrust washer can just about be moved with a screwdriver without levering). Ordered a new pair of SNR bearings from carparts4less (currently have the 20% off code running for bank holiday).