Warning on the subject of replacement wishbones (or as they are referred to on Boxsters and 996's etc "" "track control arms"), we have recently had two exchange track control arms returned to us separately from different sources - for refurbishment - that we cannot repair because the alloy has both corroded and cracked through where the ball joint is fitted (and If someone will post me how to put photo's easily on this forum I will happily supply pictures).
On further inspection we found that there are no identifying casting marks (as always on Porsche OEM parts), the ball joint housing was 35mm diameter (whereas they have always been 33mm) and on testing the strength of the cast alloy we find it much weaker than the OEM parts we have here.
Having already been offered new replacements very cheaply from China (but that we would have to buy in bulk before receiving samples for testing "" so refused) and with rumours there are weaker options manufactured from the USA (or perhaps just sourced and sold from there) "" that don't last very long "" I suspect that these poor examples are the first of this supply and if so it is worrying and they could be very dangerous.
Proper tests and analysis are now under way but in the meantime if anyone can throw any light on the subject "" it could protect readers from making a serious mistake.
Before competitors with commercial interests in supplying these rogue parts start a campaign against us for exposing this possibility may I just state quite clearly that in running our business we have no plans for further expansion, are achieving our financial and commercial objectives and have no interest in trying to expand our share of this refurbishment market (that we already supply with many parts for different models).
We are just bringing this position to readers attention (that we feel will become a more common problem as irresponsible people try to profiteer at the expense of safety or long life) and to remind everyone of the old adage that price is not always the best guide to
performance and longevity.
Baz
On further inspection we found that there are no identifying casting marks (as always on Porsche OEM parts), the ball joint housing was 35mm diameter (whereas they have always been 33mm) and on testing the strength of the cast alloy we find it much weaker than the OEM parts we have here.
Having already been offered new replacements very cheaply from China (but that we would have to buy in bulk before receiving samples for testing "" so refused) and with rumours there are weaker options manufactured from the USA (or perhaps just sourced and sold from there) "" that don't last very long "" I suspect that these poor examples are the first of this supply and if so it is worrying and they could be very dangerous.
Proper tests and analysis are now under way but in the meantime if anyone can throw any light on the subject "" it could protect readers from making a serious mistake.
Before competitors with commercial interests in supplying these rogue parts start a campaign against us for exposing this possibility may I just state quite clearly that in running our business we have no plans for further expansion, are achieving our financial and commercial objectives and have no interest in trying to expand our share of this refurbishment market (that we already supply with many parts for different models).
We are just bringing this position to readers attention (that we feel will become a more common problem as irresponsible people try to profiteer at the expense of safety or long life) and to remind everyone of the old adage that price is not always the best guide to
performance and longevity.
Baz
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