Replacing Aluminum control arms for steel on my 951

[Arizona_928]

My turbo needs the front suspension refreshed. I bought some new tie rods from member here. She needs new control arm bushing and ball joints. Basically I'm on a very limited budget, and already Have a pair of steel control arms sitting in my garage. I know that the 86's has the early offset, so I'm thinking i can use the same control arm bushings as the early cars with the steel control arms on the turbo? Also when removing the control arms is it possible to just get away with the simple toe alignment? I plan rebuilding the aluminum ones when I have the money, along with some koni inserts and weltmeister springs.

Also Has anyone run these? They're Hamburg Technic Chinese junk, But you never know. PORSCHE 944 951 968 Control Arm Ball Joint Joints PAIR - eBay (item 120671407917 end time Feb-12-11 07:05:22 PST)

[Grandad#3]

Well as the old saying goes "you get what you pay for". The hearsay on DP is not all that good from other forum members. Google Hamburg Technic Germany and you will see where most of their products are made. A great knock off country made with cheap labor and materials.

Cheers,
Larry

[Techno Duck]

The steel arms fit no problem for your '86, just remember you need to use the caster block from the early control arm also. It uses a bushing strap on the back rather than a 1-piece bushing.


You can simply count the threads when you replace the tie rods and adjust to the same length. However with that said if your bushings are bad its a good idea to just get an alignment as its probably pretty out of whack as is on worn components.

[mikepellegrini]

The Rennbay ball joint kits are good. Porsche 944 Complete Ball Joint Kits - Rennbay - Porsche 944 ball joints, power steering, brakes, odometer gears & accessories

Just make sure the socket in the control arm is not enlongated (out of shape) from the ball rattling around in it (sans delrin bushing).

As for bushings, the stock bushings work fineand are not real expensive.

[Wormholeracing]

Iv'e used the steel early arms that are reinforced by Marcus Blaszak on my race car for about 6 years and never had a problem. I went to a later offset and will be selling them soon if you are intersted. I also have some solid bushings for them .

[Arizona_928]

OK so use the early caster blocks.

[Arizona_928]

I went ahead and got started with her. When removing the tie rods the pickle fork, and the mini sledge were pretty easy. The ball joints, and tie rods are toast. Like expected. I'm going to go ahead and do Koni inserts, and weltmeister springs.
I'm wanting to go 200# or 250# for the springs. But not sure of the ride quality. I drive on a lot of dirt roads.
I'm also going to do the rod bearings while everything is out. Maybe motor mounts if I can get $ for the OEM ones.
There is probably a ton I forgot, but will update it when parts start coming in.

She will be my DD for college so might as well get the ball rolling.

[RedBaron]

I just bought an OEM motor mount for $160 from Sunset Porsche just as an fyi.

[ideola]

Uhhh...I hope you got the steel arms with the correct sway bar mounting arrangement...

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by ideola

Uhhh...I hope you got the steel arms with the correct sway bar mounting arrangement...

Hey thanks for the heads up.
I'll go look at mine.