Worn joint on Lower wishbones

[cuffn]

Does anybody have any info or opinions regarding replacement or refurbishment of lower wishbones. I seem to remember some discussion a while back as top pros and cons and suppliers, but can't seem to find it. Northway have told me today that both mine are worn and will be a failure on the next MOT!

Any help appreciated.

Nathan

 

[Diver944]

I haven't had this problem yet so don't speak from experience.

What I do know is you have 3 options:

1. New wishbone from Porsche (circa £400 IIRC)

2. Reconditioned wishbone from Hartech (£150ish)

3. Reconditioned wishbone from D.Gilmour (£150ish)

There was a good article in 911&Porsche World two years ago about the two recondition solutions, and I have seen a very long technical email (can't find it anymore) from Barry Hartech about the way he does the reconditioning. I'm no engineer but I think the Hartech way looks better

OOh I just remembered a 4th option. Charlie Arms, machined from a billet of solid alloy [8D], very light and very strong with a replaceable ball joint for when it wears out next time. A snip at $1500. That's what I want when mine wear out [:-].

 

[John Sims]

Option 4

Get a second hand set off a late model from Simon at Porscheapart (£120 each IIRC) then you have spare arms available for option 2 or 3 when the replacements start to get a bit iffy.

Better still, get a complete SE front strut, wishbone and hub assembly while you are about it. Then you can fit medium blacks or go up to big black/reds. Isn't it great the things you can convince yourself to do "while this is off". []

I do like the Charlie Arms though, but I'd always be taking off my wheels just to look at them []

 

[Guest]

Just looked at those Charlie Arms, where are the tissues when you need them?

 

[Guest]

Or you can doit your self with : 944 WISHBONE BALL JOINT REPAIR KIT from http://www.design911.co.uk/index.htm?Region=UK

I have done it with my car.

 

[cuffn]

Thanks for the info guys - I have a bit of time before the MOT is due so I will dig back through the 911 & Porsche world collection and do bit more research.

Has anyone used any of these replacement wishbones as Northway mentioned they had one guy who went this route (not sure where he got them done) and he was back in a year with the same problem again!

 

[TTM]

ORIGINAL: Diver944

OOh I just remembered a 4th option. Charlie Arms, machined from a billet of solid alloy [8D], very light and very strong with a replaceable ball joint for when it wears out next time. A snip at $1500. That's what I want when mine wear out [:-].

Ditto.

Now the question is (for the NA chaps, at least), do they work with that ?

 

[John Sims]

do they work with that

Thom, I think I probably hate you as, previously, I was oblivious to the true beauty of the Brey Krause lower strut brace (which also fits Turbots) but now I have seen it in place.

Damn, I want one of them.

 

[Diver944]

Hmmmm, I've never even heard of one of those. Cheers Thom, my credit card hates you

 

[TTM]

John, are you sure they fit with the cross over pipe on 951s ? There does not seem to be enough room for both ...

PS : I have one that should be ordered by a mate but he hasn't found a proper BK parts supplier yet, so if you have an idea please keep me informed []

 

[berg944]

sandvik,

What are the DIY ball joints like to fit?

Mike

 

[John Sims]

John, are you sure they fit with the cross over pipe on 951s ? There does not seem to be enough room for both ...

I don't know, but I seem to remember reading that it does. You're quite right though, it does look like it is in the same line as the cross over pipe.

 

[Guest]

Hello Mike !

It is quite simpel here is a link too how it is done : http://www.ssiauto.com/index.shtml?/porsche944/index.shtml

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: sandvik

Hello Mike !

It is quite simpel here is a link too how it is done : http://www.ssiauto.com/index.shtml?/porsche944/index.shtml

I have installed 3 sets of the SSI kits in the past 2 years (1 in my car, 2 in others). The install is very easy, I would rate it a 4 out of 10 on the difficulty scale.

 

[Diver944]

After glibly boasting that I wanted Charlie arms when mine wore out I duly failed the MOT this week with a worn balljoint on the offside. Having no time (or money) to get them shipped over I just replaced them it standard.

Wierdly, JZMachtech found out that wishbones for 1989 cars with M030 are cheaper than all the other years????? So instead of going for Hartech reconditioned ones at £150 + vat and postage and exchange fee, I got a genuine Porsche one for £384 which was much better than I expected.

 

[Guest]

But I am wondering how long it would it last ? Since I have done it my self I hope it last long.

 

[Diver944]

Yes that was the cost of the wishbone, fitting was an hours labour. I (and Machtech) were under the impression that all genuine wishbones were over £500 which is why I went for it. You can still use the reconditioned ones but when I weighed up the £150 + £20 courier + £75 exchange cost I decided to go for a genuine as my original one lasted 15 years, 112k miles and umpteen trackdays.

I'll let you know in 2019 if my gamble paid off []

 

[Guest]

Recently had the O/S wishbone exchanged as the ball joint had gone. Someone in Leicester I think (didn't do it myself, so I'm not sure who the supplier was). But, it's going back in for a check as soon as I get round to it, as it's started knocking again. Been on the car about 3 months, no really hard driving (not taken it on the track lately), but it does have to contend with London speed bumps. Either way, if it has gone again, then I'm not happy and with hindsight would have gone down the OPC route.

TC
'88 944S