Lower wishbone / control arm

[pauljmcnulty]

Im commenting on their excessive prices.

Let's just leave people to check prices for themselves? I'd like to credit people with some intelligence....[&o]

The Faqs section lists parts suppliers, with some advice on where to buy. Particularly avoiding paying massively over the odds on e-bay. It's important to keep all the different supplier "tiers", from Porsche, through independants, down to to breakers, supporting the cars. What isn't always appreciated is that Porsche will gradually phase out production of parts as demand drops off, leaving us with a supply problem. Some suppliers are putting in a huge amount of effort to work with original manufacturers and buy in limited runs of obsolete parts, Porscheshop are one. I'm not trying to suck up to a supplier here, just asking that people appreciate the immense effort they go to in supporting the 924/44/68 cars through working with the Club. Remember how much the tickets were to the recent Register open day (nothing), and many of the people who attended had work done for well under cost. No company can be the cheapest in the world for every single product it supplies, just as no business with a long-term commitment to the cars can undercut the internet chancers.

Shop around, and buy where you want, but let's not get into moaning about every different price a supplier offers? Otherwise we descend into the constant whinging that makes Pistonheads such an unpleasant place for much of the time. [&o]

Of course, we will have a big presence at the Pistonheads show in January, so not having a go at them either. [&:]

 

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: ChasR

Just to muddy the water a little, a specialist near me said that on a road car the Hartech arms are fine, but for track use I should only be looking at the genuine Porsche arms...

I think its probably the same person because he told me the same thing, as if building a race car isn't expensive enough. Personally though if the rules allow it why not a Rennbay kit, loads of Americans fit this kit has anyone state side had a Rennbay joint fail on the track?

 

[944 man]

He told me that he'd use steel arms if he could, because he was sick of alloy parts failing (if we are all talking about the same fellow, who resembles a Brummie Freddy Boswell!? []).

For racing youre better off biting the bullet and buying some fabricated replacements, that are competition proven.

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: ChasR

Just to muddy the water a little, a specialist near me said that on a road car the Hartech arms are fine, but for track use I should only be looking at the genuine Porsche arms...

Mmmm, sounds like the specialist near you has got their wires crossed. The Hartech arms are genuine Porsche arms rebuilt with OEM ball joint kits so are as good if not better than brand new.

The general experience from the guys in the states is that the Rennbay kits are very good and anyone that races cars who uses OEM arms will be rebuilding the joints annually at least.

 

[edh]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

He told me that he'd use steel arms if he could, because he was sick of alloy parts failing (if we are all talking about the same fellow, who resembles a Brummie Freddy Boswell!? []).

For racing youre better off biting the bullet and buying some fabricated replacements, that are competition proven.

Is there a way of adapting the steel arms? Do they work for an early offset car? IIRC a new balljoint is around £20

 

[trev260764]

Mmm... May give it a go myself! Is there any tension on the wishbone - is it gonna spring out when I knock the bolts out?

 

[trev260764]

Did find this on my travells - which is interesting...

http://www.cannell.co.uk/Road_tests/911PW0507_944_suspension_fix.pdf

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: edh

ORIGINAL: 944 man

He told me that he'd use steel arms if he could, because he was sick of alloy parts failing (if we are all talking about the same fellow, who resembles a Brummie Freddy Boswell!? []).

For racing youre better off biting the bullet and buying some fabricated replacements, that are competition proven.

Is there a way of adapting the steel arms? Do they work for an early offset car? IIRC a new balljoint is around £20

Don't think so, certainly not heard of it which makes me think it is not possible for some reason (you know what the guys are like on Rennist - if it can be done it would have been done by now), but the best thing about the steel arms is that the ball joints are replaceable. I don't think it is a case of the alloy parts failing as such. The main reason for failure is people lowering cars and not accounting for the geometry change, but other than that the OEM alloy arms have proven themselves to be ultra reliable and more than strong enough - you just need to consider them with any suspension changes and keep an eye on the ball joints. Replacing the ball joints as required will mean the arms will work fine forever - they are just not a maintenance free item.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Trev - thanks for that link answered several nagging questions I've thought about!
Mike

 

[ChasR]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

He told me that he'd use steel arms if he could, because he was sick of alloy parts failing (if we are all talking about the same fellow, who resembles a Brummie Freddy Boswell!? []).

For racing youre better off biting the bullet and buying some fabricated replacements, that are competition proven.

What a coincidence! He is indeed like a Brummie Freddie Boswell!

I guess maybe his reasoning is that once the arm wears, the damage is done despite the machining. Maybe I'll enquire further.

Simon, I guess you are referring to those fancy Billet items from the states? As for steel arms, Porscheshop are meant to do steel arms made to fit later cars.

 

[sawood12]

OEM alloy arms are race proven - factory race proven. They were fitted to the 944 turbo cup cars. Like I say, they are perfectly good as long as you consider any suspension geometry changes (which you should be doing anyway). |Anyone who races cars would (should) be replacing ball joints pretty regularly anyway. People who have had problems with OEM arms are usually people who have abused them or have done things to the car without understanding the implications of what they're doing on other components (ignorance, lack of understanding). Steel arms are not necessarily better or stronger (if they are it is strength that you don't need).

The fabricated aftermarket arms are very good as well but are mega ££££. Charlie arms are considered the best (certainly look the nicest) and are about £1500 plus shipping and import taxes - but you can't get them anymore. Racers Edge arms are probably the next best ones but are still mega pricey - more than band new OEM arms. Anyones best bet if they have worn ball joints is a refresh by Hartec using a Rennbay kit with phospher bronze bushes (or do it yourself if you are confident enough).

 

[944 man]

They break Scott. I have no doubt that they broke on the 1986 German Cup cars too. Thats why so many replacements are available.