Throttle linkage ball joint popped off and ruined my night - what do I replace?

[BrakeL8]

Hi-

Got stranded for the first time tonight on PCH in Laguna Beach, CA - unfortunate timing but fortunately driver and car safe.

Upon getting it home I found the ball joint had come off the ball on the triangular pivot piece that attaches to the transmission.

Car is a '87 Carrera - I presume that perhaps just wear over 120k miles requires a new cup?

What else would be prudent to replace (the pivoting piece as well since that has the ball joint on it?) to ensure this does not happen again.

Is there adjustment needed that would be better for a shop to look at or is this a wear/tear issue?

Thanks very much, got it popped back on 2 minutes ago in 5 minutes w/ the car on a jack w/ a pair of pliers, but won't drive the car until I resolve whatever the outstanding issue(s) are.

Also in case the Steve in a killer sounding 993 whose plate starts with a "N" is reading this THANK YOU! You were the only person to stop and offer assistance in over an hour on the side of the road. I didn't catch your last name but shoot me a PM would love to buy you a drink.

[Porboynz]

That's an easy fix, maybe it was dislodged by road debris. Snap it back on and if it feels secure and cannot be removed easily then move on. Otherwise its a simple replace of that section of the accelerator rod, plus replace the plastic bushes at the same time while you are under there.

[tobluforu]

That use to happen all the time on my 72. When I bought the car you could tell that the rod must have fallen out completely and maybe run over as it looked to be bent back into shape. Took me many times to get it bent just right so it would not pop off again. Mine would only come off during WOT. Yours might have just popped off, or it might need a little bending, etc. Good luck

[ganun]

There is a pin that goes through the socket then flips to snap in place. It prevents the ball from popping out. They are 7 bucks and are used in other places of the linkage.

[Flat6pac]

I was going to mention the pin in the ball clip.
Bruce

[BrakeL8]

Originally Posted by ganun

There is a pin that goes through the socket then flips to snap in place. It prevents the ball from popping out. They are 7 bucks and are used in other places of the linkage.

Thank you.

I'll order a new ball socket and a couple pins as well. Any other common failure points?

Should I out of paranoia swap out every connection down at the pedal cluster as well in your opinion?

[tobluforu]

I need me some pins, where art thou pins? Mine has fallen off in years, but better safe than sorry.

[Flat6pac]

You have to have engine on the floor with the trans to get the pin in.
Bruce

[tobluforu]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

You have to have engine on the floor with the trans to get the pin in.
Bruce

No pins for me!

[ganun]

Not in my 87, the bottom transmission bellcrank is accessible without lifting the car, I think that is the one the OP had the problem with.

[Charles Freeborn]

On my car there are 4 total. 2@ at the linkage mounted to the trans and one each at pedal cluster and back where the linkage rod goes up to the Fuel injection. PET calls for a clip of some sort at he pedal cluster, but nowhere else. So far I've changed the 2 @ the trans and the bushings on the arm attached to the trans. This winter on my project list is to change all the bushings through the tunnel and the rest of the ball cups.
I think that Porsche changed the engineering through the years so YMMV. I do know that when the hand throttle went away there were other changes as well.
-C

[BrakeL8]

Have those of you who run without pins replaced the ball cup and not had this happen again? As this is a car the kids are occasionally in I don't want to cut any corners.

[steely]

No prob with my pins, and as for your earlier question I used the nice bronze bushings. I did have the car up with engine in and I did it from underneath when I cleaned up the pedal cluster and some other things.


edit: doh! upside down?!

[Bill Douglas]

Laguna Beach. Good thing all the riff raff that live around there didn't come and rough you up

[heliolps2]

You can buy the ball thing through our host

[88911coupe]

I've got the opposite problem. I have the engine out of my '88 and have removed the safety pin/wire but having trouble getting the accelerator link on top of the engine to pop off. I have used large screwdrivers and couple other things with no success. It seems like I'm having to put a LOT of pressure on it to get the socket side to pop off the ball side. Any tips?

[wazzz]

Same thing happened to me also on my 88. I was never able to separate the ball from the socket. So I ended up unscrewing the linkage on the engine side and keep the socket on the ball.

[john walker's workshop]

Yeah, loosen the 8mm nut and turn the rod.

[88911coupe]

Ok that makes sense, it crossed my mind but I was worried about getting it back on at the right adjustment point. I'll just make sure and not how many threads it's at now. Sometimes the simple solution is the best!

[john walker's workshop]

Just leave the nut in place on the rod. Just needs a slight turn to loosenit.