A Arm replacement

[83scguy]

I have an 83sc and have been told I need to replace the a arms on the car because of sloppiness and the camber is all off. To the best of my understanding, it is not the a arms that need to be replaced but the ball joints and bushings throughout the a arms. My question is, can I just replace all the bushings and ball joints or is a total replacement the only option? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[na2ub]

A-Arms are fine unless bent. You are correct with the balljoints and A-Arm bushings. Your ball joints will show wear if you can move the wheel up and down at the joint. If your bushing are shot, which they probably are, chances are your torsion bars have contacted metal and have started to wear their outside edge. Depending on how much wear, you can either apply some paint to them and put them back in, or order new ones. If you want new ones, you can probably find them used if you want, from people who have upgraded to a larger size. Just make sure they do not show wear on the outside.

I got ER rubber bushings for the front. You will need a pipe clamp to install. Don't get a wimpy bar clamp, they don't work.

[GaryR]

If a track used car the best way to go is Elephant's Polybronze or the RSR beauties sold by Rebel Racing (Rebel Racing RSR bushings). Road car you can also go with ER's rubber bushings (harder than stock) but I would use the Polybronze (or RSR) either way.

[RWebb]

also find another shop that is more experienced with the 911, or DIY

[Hendog]

Originally Posted by RWebb

also find another shop that is more experienced with the 911, or DIY

+1!

If you were told your A arms needed replacing because of sloppiness and camber being out, I would definitely stay clear of that person for any further advise. Don't let them touch your car.

[RSTarga]

The Elephant racing rubber bushings are just as good as the originals. Tricky to install but they come with the correct tool. Or you can send your a arms and they will install and powder coat.

[Flieger]

If you are set on factory replacement parts, the only way to get the bushings is installed already on the A-arms, so that is why he said that.

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

The Elephant racing rubber bushings are just as good as the originals. Tricky to install but they come with the correct tool. Or you can send your a arms and they will install and powder coat.

Better actually.

Once you install anything but the rubber (ER or stock) and run the A-Arm through it's range of travel you won't ever consider anything else. A greased Polybronze bushing, 0 distortion in any direction, perfect mobility throughout the entire range of travel, no flex or offset. Toss new rubber in and compare. See how much they can be deflected, that's your steering geometry changing under load.. No comparison.

[Flieger]

Well, the Polybronze does deflect more than the Rebel Racing bushings, it deflects as much as a urethane bushing of equal hardness does, but it has much much less friction. The bronze is surrounded by softer plastic so there is not going to be zero deflection (well, nothing has zero deflection, not even the RSR bushings or solid steel, but the RSRs have less).

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by Flieger

Well, the Polybronze does deflect more than the Rebel Racing bushings, it deflects as much as a urethane bushing of equal hardness does, but it has much much less friction. The bronze is surrounded by softer plastic so there is not going to be zero deflection (well, nothing has zero deflection, not even the RSR bushings or solid steel, but the RSRs have less).

I agree, what I see is the changes in geometry the rubber bushings allow, even when new. Go greaseable PB or Rebel RSR and enjoy precise alignment settings.

[na2ub]

Polybronze etc ... are very expensive. If you have money falling out your whooo haaa, go for it. For the rest of us poor bastards, ER rubber is perfectly fine.

[GaryR]

For a regular road car I agree, use ER's modified rubber. For the other % save up and buy the upgrade!

[Flieger]

Well, you drive a Porsche so you aren't exactly in the poor house, though you can go there if you aren't careful with upgrades. I just saved for a long while and then did the big suspension upgrade all at once = only one labor payment and only one alignment. The difference in feel from old Urethane to RSR bushings is amazingly positive. So much smoother and much more grip as a result. The handling is so much more confidence inspiring. The car is fun to drive again. The best money spent on the car so far.

Now sticky tires are a money pit. Once you try them you are hooked and can't stop.

[83scguy]

What about the ball joints. Can those be replaced or upgraded without a full A Arm replacement?

[pete3799]

Originally Posted by 83scguy

What about the ball joints. Can those be replaced or upgraded without a full A Arm replacement?

Ball joints are a wear item easily replaced. As stated before if your A arms are not bent there is no need to replace them.

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by 83scguy

I have an 83sc and have been told I need to replace the a arms on the car because of sloppiness and the camber is all off.

Bent spindles are more common for camber problems.