944 Ball Joints

[olivar]

hello everyone,
i have a small question,they are selling these ball joints on ebay.the manufacturer says they go up to an 85, i have an 86 944 non-turbo.my question is can i use these on my 86.? is there that much difference between the control arms from an 85 to an 86 that i can't make these work?

[SoCal Driver]

You have solid aluminum arms. Requires that the ball be taken out through the bottom and replaced with another and new wear pads.

Think rennbay.com sells the kits.

Some have replaced their from aluminum a-arms with the early steel just because of the price of replacing the later ball joints. Uses the same sway bar but the ends that attach to the a-arms are different.

[dwise944na]

I just finished this job last night on my car....a late '86 na as well, and yes, you will need one of the kits available at rennbay to complete the job. Oddly enough, our host does not sell the rebuild kit?!

Here is the link
http://www.rennbay.com/ball-joint-rebuild-kits-porsche-944-ball-joint-kits-c-30_48.html

They are a bugger to remove, and almost as tough to put back together, but not bad overall. It took about 4 hrs total. GOOD LUCK!!!!

[olivar]

yea thanks i got that from a few people, i thought maybe i could buy these,tear them down and put them back up in the arms. i mean it could be done?right. i just spent some bucks on a transmission,rotors,brake pads and tie rod ends,and am trying to save a couple of dollars,a friend said to also check the steerings universal joints,the problem is that the car is still dancing a little on the road,i'm just not sure if it is the ball joints or the uni coupler.but thanks anyway

[TNT25169]

see next post.

[TNT25169]

To buy those and tear them down would be a waste. You would destroy the bushings and all the major components you would need to replace on you current control arms. KLA makes a kit that's cheap if you really want to cut corners. My mechanic refused to put them in about 3 years ago and used rennbay ones. Since then I have rebuilt several control arms using rennbay bushings. It's not hard at all to rebuild them and I will sell you my left over KLA kit if you want it. PM me.

[olivar]

thanks i'll take your word on it,these nyc streets are brutal!! i've got to find out exactly where the problem is. whether it is the control arm ball joints(which were replaced a few years ago) or the steering coupler uni joints.

[Techno Duck]

If steering turn in feels vauge its probably the universal joints on the steering shaft. With the car off, you should be able to rock the steering wheel back and fourth lightly and see the front wheels moving ever so slightly.

If you do decide to get the Rennbay ball joint kit, get the solid upper bushing (track kit). Trust me, it will save you alot of hassle in the future. If the ball joint pocket is even slightly worn, the nylon upper bushing will eventually work its way out (Ask me how i know). I have about 12k rough miles on mine and they are holding up well. That includes a few trips into Staten Island, weekly trips into the Bronx, a few days in Manhattan and about 5 or 6 auto crosses. The true test was surviving a trip on the Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.

[TNT25169]

I second getting the brass bushing kit. It's working well for me.

[olivar]

thanks guys will look into it as soon as this weather here on the east coast clears up.! and will let you know the results. PEACE!!

[marghella]

if ive learnt anything its to get the best quality of ball joints or anything for that matter, its cheaper in the long run

[Icey1174]

I have an 87 944 N/A. Can I use this same rebuild kit for my ball joints? I don't know anything about them. I am a die maker by trade and can turn a wrench. I just need to know what to do. I did read the instructions on the website selling the ball joints. It seems easy enough. If it's this easy then why are people paying $1000 for a pair of new control arms? If they can replace the control arm they should be capiable of this rebuild. Or am I missing something??? Please let me know before I spend another G!!!

[mattdavis11]

Yes, you have aluminum control arms. I'd be willing to bet that you are capable of doing the job.

I have heard that some people have to replace the arms due to stress fractures. This is most likely an issue associated with those who run higher spring rates and run de's, auto x's, and the unfortunates who drive on streets with large potholes.

[Icey1174]

I just talked to them on the phone. This looks like a great option. I ordered the track/performance kit. For the extra $100 I feel real comfortable that I will only be doing this once! And I'll still be saveing $800 from not replacing the control arms that are perfectly fine. I'll keep you posted on the progress. They are scheduled to be here on Friday. I will be waiting for the mail lady to get here! What a great option! Rebuilding control arms for people sounds like a profitable business!

[olivar]

yea i've talked to a few people,and the best bet seem to to just replace the ball joints with the super deluxe kit from rennbay,. a service rep. says that if you want and can afford it,you can send in the control arms they will bead blast them and replace the ball joint for you for about 400$ and change for the set,i'm opting to do it myself,have'nt gotten to it yet(been busy with work and all) but will post my results,for those in the same process good luck.

[Icey1174]

The control arms are clean. It's just nice to have an option instead of paying crazy money to replace perfectly good parts. Sounds like an easy enough job. A little bit of detail and some time, but the end results should be good.