Steering Ball joint repairs

[Charlie_McLaughlin]

Hi Guys, Charlie Mclaughlin here, I have recently bought Derek Granthams 86 model white 944 turbo and recently submitted it to the annual MOT, for an 18 year old car it did very well, but failed on the nearside lower ball joint. I noticed that "design 911" have a repair kit advertised on the site for £34.99, a lot less than a new OPC one (£420 +VAT). My question is has anyone on the site done this before and are the results good ?? My friendly mechanic is willing to try this first ?

By the way, I have bought a Boost enhancer from Andrew, but have yet to fit it, I want to get used to the way it drives without it and then I will really appreciate the difference ?

Cheers

Charlie

 

[John Sims]

My balljoints are shot as well and I'm looking into replacements.

I have seen an article about a company in Scotland who replace the ball joints for you, on a three day turn round, which was going to be my first port of call except...

I understand that the way Porsche control their products is purpose build and leicence small components within an assembly thus stopping anyone else producing them. From what I've been told this is the case on the ball joints, so any replacement isn't going to be a Porsche original. That isn't to say it is going to be less good, just not original.

I have futher heard tales of replacement balljoints (from another well known source) breaking down within 10K miles, which doesn't inspire confidence.

To this end, I have decided to take a chance with a replacement set of wishbones from a breakers. I know that there is no guarentee that they will be any better, or last any longer than a push in replacement but "Ya pays ya money, ya takes ya choice" as they say.

 

[Guest]

Dont Hartech do a replacment wishbone with ball joints, much cheaper than OPC?

 

[Charlie_McLaughlin]

Thanks Guys, "Design911" have also exchange units (the full wishbone) for £185 which I suppose are reconditioned ones ie new bushes, rubber mounting and ball joint ??

John, how much are they from a breakers ?? the guys in scotland charge £136 for yours refurbished.

I had also heard of ones that didn't last too many miles ? Who where the ones you mentioned from ?

Charlie

 

[tim court]

Seems to me at under £40 that buys a lot of repair kits instead of a complete wishbone assembly..... would be very tempting if you do limited annual mileage.

 

[944Turbo]

IIRC One of the companies Hartech or the Scottish one (Gilmour?) fits a greese nipple as part of the repair - fortunately for me no experience of this yet, Don't see why they should fail if done properly though, are the failed units from one of the above companies?

You should [FONT=Times New Roman"][FONT=Times New Roman"][FONT=Times New Roman"][FONT=Times New Roman"]notice the difference when you fit the Boost Enhancer, especially if you have a weak wastegate (likely). A few people have reported triggering the over boost protection on cold days on the standard setting (car will only give half boost after triggering until reset (30 secs or so, or ignition switched off and on) - if so adjust back from standard setting one turn. It won't cause any harm its just the protection loop doing its stuff.

Tony

 

[John Sims]

are the failed units from one of the above companies?

Not as far as I am aware.

I have been quoted £110 each for replacement wishbones from a known dismanteller though, apparently, these are at a reduced rate as I am also buying replacement front struts at the same time.

When I phoned to confirm my purchase I was asked to check which wishbones I had as Turbots were fitted with two different types. Does anyone else know anything of this? I must admit that I haven't checked on PET.

 

[John Sims]

would be very tempting if you do limited annual mileage.

Not if that mileage includes a lot of track days perhaps.

I have ellected to get second hand wishbones for the moment, thus giving me the originals as spares if I then subsequently decide to get them refurbished. Not the cheapest way of doing it, but a lot more convenient.

 

[Charlie_McLaughlin]

Hi Guys, having looked at the repair kit, my mechanic was unimpressed and as a result I have ordered a "refurbished" one from "Design911". He was not prepared to compromise on safety, which I of course agree with.

Hopefully these are not the ones that only last 10k miles ??


Charlie

 

[Guest]

Hi

I think the repair kits are OK providing you have access to the right equipment to both remove the old ones and fit the new ones. Correctly pressed in they will be OK providing the parts aren't second rate to begin with!
Working in engineering and having access to the equipment needed to do this job, I'd be prepared to try them!

Tony

 

[John Sims]

I've got to admit that the thought of an interferance fit on something as critical as a ball joint worries me, particularly when one of the components is aluminium.

 

[Diver944]

I know it's too late now Charlie but David Sims has just written a small article on 944 balljoints including extracts of an email he received from Barry Hart the owner of Hartech who remanufacters the wishbone. I know if you buy a fully refurbished one from Bert Gear that it is the Hartech one, maybe yours is too. Here is a link:

www.asco96.dsl.pipex.com/944t/balljoints.htm

It will soon be on David Sims excellent website www.944turbo.org.uk

 

[Diver944]

......and as your name is Charlie have you considered fitting billet aluminium Charlie Arms as used by the Racers in America. They look gorgeous (see small pic below) are very strong with replaceable balljoints, and are very light to reduce unsprung weight. A snip at $1600 a pair (actually now is the time to buy with the US exchange rate so good)

www.paragon-products.com sell them, let us know what they feel like []