Pelican Parts
Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   Pelican Parts Forums > Porsche Forums > Porsche 911 Technical Forum


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread
Author
Thread Post New Thread    Reply
Registered
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Greater Atlanta
Posts: 421
Garage
Ball Joint Replacement - What Hardware gets replaced too?

Going to do a total refurb of my suspension, ball joints, tie rods, ER polybronze bushings etc.. For ball joints, how much of the associated hardware needs to get replace for sure? I expect to destroy the nut getting them off, what about the pin and other bits? should I just order them and replace or is it worth waiting to pull stuff and evaluate then?

Thanks

Kinsley

Old 12-06-2009, 08:03 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #1 (permalink)
Registered
 
chocolatelab's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Murrieta, CA
Posts: 1,194
Garage
i am in the middle of doing it. i would plan on replacing the entire set of hardware

once you get the spanky new ball joint on it seems a shame not to go all the way

cotter pin, big flat washer with the notches ( forgot the name ), tapered bolt, flat washer and lock nut
__________________
1978 911sc Targa Sold 2001 996 Cab Sold
2006 Cayenne S Silver Wifes Car for sale
2011 Jeep Wrangler Silver for sale
2010 Toyota Prius Black for sale
2016 BMW 328D wagon
Old 12-06-2009, 08:41 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #2 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 349
Quote:
Originally Posted by chocolatelab View Post
i am in the middle of doing it. i would plan on replacing the entire set of hardware

once you get the spanky new ball joint on it seems a shame not to go all the way

cotter pin, big flat washer with the notches ( forgot the name ), tapered bolt, flat washer and lock nut
Agreed...other than the Big nut and Joint, the other pieces don't cost that much...I did the same project(s) last year. If the big nut (Castle or Castellated) doesn't come off, first try a torch and puch. If not, don't waste time like I did, simply hack it out with a dremel (use good gloves, the metal shavings are like fiberglass). If you get far enough in...check your torsion bars. The bushings had all worn on mine and the bars were becoming etched.
__________________
'88 911 Coupe (sunroof delete) / FRP/Carbon Front Fenders & Bumpers / Elephant Racing Suspension / 3.4L Motor Conversion
Old 12-06-2009, 08:54 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #3 (permalink)
Registered
 
Chuck Moreland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Posts: 5,668
The big threaded ring is typically destroyed or at least knackered up in removal.

Porsche recommends the wedge pin be replaced each time. The cotter pin too should be replaced everytime.

That only leaves the lock plate and nut, both inexpensive items.

We allways replace all of it as a matter of course.
__________________
Chuck Moreland - elephantracing.com - vonnen.com
Old 12-06-2009, 09:02 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #4 (permalink)
Registered
 
Grady Clay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Arapahoe County, Colorado, USA
Posts: 9,032
I agree.

Make sure the washer is the proper hard washer (it has a Porsche part number) and the nut a steel lock nut (not Nylock).

The wedge pin the proper angle OE-type part. There are aftermarket versions with an incorrect angle to the wedge. Search Pelican – I wrote on this.

Be sure and install with everything greased. The threads of the wedge pin and tie-rod should only get WD-40.

A couple of drops of SAE90 Hypoid gear oil in the ball joints, tie rod ends, and tie rod joints are worthwhile. Be sure and ‘exercise’ to their extreme all the joints prior to installation.

Be aware that there is an early (prior to about ’74) lower by half torque spec for the big ring nut for the ball joint to A-arm.

While the original Factory P-280b works well, there is an aftermarket version that has a ring around the original tool to keep it centered. This is far preferable. I use a floor jack under the torque wrench to make sure proper tool engagement is maintained.

These are THE MOST CRITICAL parts and assembly in a 911. There is no such thing as ‘too much care’.

Best,
Grady
__________________
ANSWER PRICE LIST (as seen in someone's shop)
Answers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $0.75
Answers (requiring thought) - - - - $1.25
Answers (correct) - - - - - - - - - - $12.50
Old 12-06-2009, 09:44 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #5 (permalink)
Senior Advisor
 
James Brown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 5,479
Garage
Send a message via Yahoo to James Brown
Great info, hey Chuck and Grady.Is it the season to do suspension work or is there a trend lately to do this work. At least from the number of posts. Maybe I should jump on that train!
Oh, one question, I see all the time people using true race parts when renewing suspensions. What is the long term durability over OEM stuff. Witch last 30-40 years.
__________________
08 Cayenne Turbo
Old 12-06-2009, 09:57 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #6 (permalink)
 
Registered
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Greater Atlanta
Posts: 421
Garage
Thanks for all the detailed replies. I'll just replace everything.

Grady, I have two questions based on your reply;

Quote:
While the original Factory P-280b works well, there is an aftermarket version that has a ring around the original tool to keep it centered. This is far preferable. I use a floor jack under the torque wrench to make sure proper tool engagement is maintained.
1. Is the P-280b you are referring to the wrench to fit the large nut?
2. Is it easier to take off and put on the ball joint with the A-arm on the car or when it's out?

Thanks again
Old 12-06-2009, 12:03 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #7 (permalink)
Registered
 
famoroso's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: San Francisco & San Diego CA
Posts: 2,299
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grady Clay View Post
I agree.

Make sure the washer is the proper hard washer (it has a Porsche part number) and the nut a steel lock nut (not Nylock).

The wedge pin the proper angle OE-type part. There are aftermarket versions with an incorrect angle to the wedge. Search Pelican – I wrote on this.

Be sure and install with everything greased. The threads of the wedge pin and tie-rod should only get WD-40.

A couple of drops of SAE90 Hypoid gear oil in the ball joints, tie rod ends, and tie rod joints are worthwhile. Be sure and ‘exercise’ to their extreme all the joints prior to installation.

Be aware that there is an early (prior to about ’74) lower by half torque spec for the big ring nut for the ball joint to A-arm.

While the original Factory P-280b works well, there is an aftermarket version that has a ring around the original tool to keep it centered. This is far preferable. I use a floor jack under the torque wrench to make sure proper tool engagement is maintained.

These are THE MOST CRITICAL parts and assembly in a 911. There is no such thing as ‘too much care’.

Best,
Grady
Sixteen year thread ressurection, I know, but I'm not trying to win the most Pelican threads started, I am trying to get a question answered, so, in the spirit of "There is no such thing as ‘too much care’." I ask...

Grady (RIP) said... "Make sure the washer is the proper hard washer (it has a Porsche part number) and the nut a steel lock nut (not Nylock)."

To wit, I recently ordered wedge bolts, washers and nuts directly from Porsche.

Unfortunately, they delivered Nyloc nuts, as opposed to steel lock nuts.





What's the current thinking here? Do I need to go find steel lock nuts somewhere?
__________________
Frank Amoroso
911 M491 / M470 coupes:
1987 GP Wht / Blk "Apollo"
1987 Gemini Blue / Blk "Gemini"
1989 GP Wht / Blk "Vents"

Last edited by famoroso; 06-09-2025 at 01:42 PM..
Old 06-09-2025, 01:36 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #8 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kalifornia
Posts: 1,478
Garage
Any hardware that is suspect of corrosion or rust should be tossed. My strut cartridge retainer pins were rusted a bit, so they are cheap and I replaced.
Old 06-09-2025, 07:04 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #9 (permalink)
Registered
 
917_Langheck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,142
Garage
That's the kind of thing that would be safety wired when used in competitive situations.
Old 06-09-2025, 08:56 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #10 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,024
Quote:
Originally Posted by famoroso View Post
Sixteen year thread ressurection, I know, but I'm not trying to win the most Pelican threads started, I am trying to get a question answered, so, in the spirit of "There is no such thing as ‘too much care’." I ask...

Grady (RIP) said... "Make sure the washer is the proper hard washer (it has a Porsche part number) and the nut a steel lock nut (not Nylock)."

To wit, I recently ordered wedge bolts, washers and nuts directly from Porsche.

Unfortunately, they delivered Nyloc nuts, as opposed to steel lock nuts.





What's the current thinking here? Do I need to go find steel lock nuts somewhere?
I asked the same in a thread in the past. Nylock is fine per other pros.

You can find steel lock nuts on McMaster, etc, but in this application I don't think it's necessary.
Old 06-10-2025, 06:05 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #11 (permalink)
Registered
 
famoroso's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: San Francisco & San Diego CA
Posts: 2,299
Quote:
Originally Posted by porschedude996 View Post
Any hardware that is suspect of corrosion or rust should be tossed. My strut cartridge retainer pins were rusted a bit, so they are cheap and I replaced.
Fair enough. To be clear, these are the ball joint to Boge strut wedge bolts and not the strut cartridge retainers as used on Bilstein struts.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 917_Langheck View Post
That's the kind of thing that would be safety wired when used in competitive situations.
I did have my safety wire pliers on hand. ;-) I ended up just marking the fasteners with a paint pen.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Locker537 View Post
I asked the same in a thread in the past. Nylock is fine per other pros.

You can find steel lock nuts on McMaster, etc, but in this application I don't think it's necessary.
Excellent. Thanks.

Now to run down the thunking in the suspension. It wasn't the ball joints.
__________________
Frank Amoroso
911 M491 / M470 coupes:
1987 GP Wht / Blk "Apollo"
1987 Gemini Blue / Blk "Gemini"
1989 GP Wht / Blk "Vents"
Old 06-10-2025, 06:47 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #12 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kalifornia
Posts: 1,478
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by famoroso View Post
Fair enough. To be clear, these are the ball joint to Boge strut wedge bolts and not the strut cartridge retainers as used on Bilstein
My error, I should have said the wedge bolts for ball-joint.
Old 06-10-2025, 07:22 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #13 (permalink)
Registered
 
shoooo32's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 994
Garage
Thanks Frank. I love to see the old Grady posts pop back up.
__________________
-Tony
Instagram: @Pablo_the_Porsche | @RuchlosRallye
AchtungKraft #002
Old 06-10-2025, 09:22 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #14 (permalink)
Registered
 
famoroso's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: San Francisco & San Diego CA
Posts: 2,299
Quote:
Originally Posted by shoooo32 View Post
Thanks Frank. I love to see the old Grady posts pop back up.
Right?

Guy is still adding value posthumously. #respect

__________________
Frank Amoroso
911 M491 / M470 coupes:
1987 GP Wht / Blk "Apollo"
1987 Gemini Blue / Blk "Gemini"
1989 GP Wht / Blk "Vents"
Old 06-10-2025, 11:23 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #15 (permalink)
Reply


 


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:54 PM.


 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page
 

DTO Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.