Packfill Posted August 23, 2004 Share Posted August 23, 2004 My left front control arm seems to have A LOT of play in it and it needs to be replaced. Where is the best place to buy this part. I saw that some people like Dynamic European Technologies Inc, ($149.00) Any other suggestions? Can you just replace the ball joint?? Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted August 23, 2004 Share Posted August 23, 2004 Your car is an 86? Aluminum arms? Call AUTOBAHN PARTS. Talk to Sean at 619.444.2290. He might have a good arm with a good ball ready to install? I know he's got a bunch of early A-arms! He's one of our series sponsors. We're getting 50% off parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeanutinCA Posted August 23, 2004 Share Posted August 23, 2004 You can get ball joint replacement kits from rennbay.com I think it's called? Check on Rennlist. Rebuilding them is cheaper than buying used parts that are still, well, used. Dylan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944-Spec#94 Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 On an 86 you can also retrofit to steel arms for pretty cheap. Nice thing about steel arms is that new arms are like $25 each and ball joints are $12 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 Joe, Teach the newer guys about the A-arms again? Early 944's and the 924S's came with steel A-arms. 85.5 86 87-88 Trailing arms: 924S had aluminum etc. Is that stuff on your website? It'll become more important when we go to stock track width only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944-Spec#94 Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 Ok here are the gory details Stock configuations 83-85 944: Front: Arm Material: Steel - VW Part number Ball Joint: Replaceable - VW Part Number Suspension Offset: Early Track: 58.1" Rear: Semi-trailing Arm Material: Steel - VW Part number Suspension Offset: Early includes factory spacer (spacer used to allow use of off the shelf VW trailing arms) Track: 57.1" Wheel Requirement for stock track: Early 23.3 mm offset 85.5-86 944: Front: Arm Material: Aluminium - Porsche Part Number (A) Ball Joint: Intergral to Arm, replacement though aftermarket only Suspension Offset: Early Track: 58.1" Rear Semi-trailing Arm Material: Aluminium - Porsche Part Number (A) Suspension Offset: Early (no spacer) Track: 57.1" Wheel Requirement for Stock Track: Early 23.3 mm offset 87-88 944 Front: Arm Material: Aluminium Porsche Part Number (B) Ball Joint: Intergral to Arm, replacement though aftermarket only Suspension Offset: LATE - Offset changed for all cars to allow for ABS on some models (rare on 944 NA) Track: 58.1" Rear: Semi-trailing Arm Material: Aluminium Porsche Part Number (B) Suspension Offset: LATE no spacer Offset changed for all cars to allow for ABS on some models (rare on 944 NA) Track: 57.1" Wheel Requirement for Stock Track: LATE 52.3 mm offset - ABS updates required change to wheels to maintain track after changes to suspension parts 87-88 924S Front: Arm Material: Steel VW Part number Suspension Offset: Early Track: 55.8" (Stock) Rear Semi-trailing Arm Material: Aluminium Porsche Part Number (A) Suspension Offset: Early (no spacer) Track: 54.8 (StocK) Wheel Requirement: Late 52.3 mm offset- 52.3 mm offset required to clear narrow fenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944-Spec#94 Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 Joe, Teach the newer guys about the A-arms again? ... Is that stuff on your website? It'll become more important when we go to stock track width only. Ask and ye shall receive. http://members.rennlist.com/m758/944Suspension.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted August 25, 2004 Share Posted August 25, 2004 Is it christmas already? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packfill Posted August 28, 2004 Author Share Posted August 28, 2004 I pulled off both my control arms and ordered the ball joint kit from RennTbay. Nice People. However, The pocket on my drivers side arm is questionable. If anyone has a 85.5-86 aluminum control arm in good shape, not rebuilt, let me know..... If not, I THINK this is salvagable..... Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeanutinCA Posted August 28, 2004 Share Posted August 28, 2004 I had Steve Alarcon at Johnson's Alignment rebuild two sets for me now. Say, did you get the ride height adjustment kits? They allow for lower ride heights without the stress on the ball joint. It doesn't eliminate the stress, but it does alleviate. Dylan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packfill Posted August 28, 2004 Author Share Posted August 28, 2004 Yes I did. They call it a "geometry correction kit." I will let you know how it goes... The rebuild will be pretty easy, the only concern is the drivers side control arm has a little "rolling" or "flaring" of the ball socket. If I could buy a old stock control arm to rebuild, I would. Otherwise I will just use it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944-Spec#94 Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 I saw some arms for sale on rennlist. I believe they were posted in the main 944/951 forum area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 Or you could try something really wild and different............................. like contacting one of our series sponsors, who frickin' OWNS a Porsche dismantling business. Call Sean at AUTOBAHN PARTS.COM 619.444.2290. Sheeesh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packfill Posted August 29, 2004 Author Share Posted August 29, 2004 Called Autobahn....they took my number and said they would call me back....didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 Thanks, Jim. I'll call them and give them feedback asap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 I've been assured by both John and Sean, the owners of AUTOBAHN PARTS.COM that they usually don't fail to return a customer's call, ANY customer. They told me they would certainly take my feedback to heart. They also asked that 944-spec driver's questions be addressed to them directly. Overall, our class has had great help from these guys. They love the idea of our class and Sean is building a 944-spec car himself, # 86. So try them again in the future. Ask for John or Sean. 619.444.2290 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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