Ball Joints

[Delta928]

I am in the process of rebuilding the upppers on my 83 S with 62k.
The plastic bushings inside the cups were definitely gone with some very minor wear on the cups themselves, not much grease left in there.
So I purchased the 928 Motorsports rebuild kits to upgrade the uppers.
My question to those more knowledged in the matter: should I go ahead and rebuild the lowers? They look fine and feel fine, will double check on the feel.
I recall some issue with the lowers on some early cars, but don't recall the cutoff for upgraded later years. My build date is 6/83, VIN 862033.
I figure since I've got it up on the stands, I should rebuild them anyway.
TIA for comments and advice

Isa in Pittsburg, CA
83 928S 5 speed Rubinrot

[Mrmerlin]

you would not rebuild a lower ball joint it would get replaced,
you need a magnet to see if the housing is steel or not, if its not then you need new lower BJs. .

Also on the lower BJs, you could remove one of the eccentric nuts at a time and clean out the respective well it sits in , a small dab of antiseize or grease on the rotating part and bolt shank will make adjustment easier and prevent the eccentric from being stripped out when the car is at the alignment shop

[baby shark]

i just changed out lower ball joints on my '83 with relative ease.....it had original aluminum BJ's and I put in new steel ones.....I replaced one after it had completely broken off in my friends driveway...fortunatly he had spare MB diesel for me to get home and I fixed 4 days later..2 weeks later the other one completly broke off in my driveway. BJ's were 27 yrs old and broke off 2 weeks apart!!!! It had passed inspection 2 months before......My father keeps reminding me that God protected me from harm.... I've heard in other instances about BJ failure....I would do magnet test....if they are aluminum...i'd swap out with new steel ones.....freddy

[Delta928]

Hey guys, thanks for the input.
After doublechecking for play, I found about 6mm vertical play on the driver's side, pass side good. I pulled them out and they actually looked pretty good and very stout. I did install new lowers and rebuilt the uppers, everything buttoned up last nite, celebrated with two beers.

So, just waiting for my rebuilt A/C compressor so I can move forward with that.
Also getting it ready for another smog check due

[Tempermental]

IF you don't replace 'em
this could happen to you

[Opelotus]

Isn't there a recall on lower ball joints for the 928? If so, shouldn't you be able to bring your car to a dealer and have them replaced (if they are aluminum) and have an alignment free of charge?

[JK McDonald]

Hey Delta928, If anyone does locate a Porsche dealer as Opelotus suggests that honors the warranty replacement of the lower aluminum ball joints we’ll all have to get the word out….. (great idea by the way) Several friends recently helped a buddy rebuild his front suspension after he was charged almost $200 for a factory certified Porsche mechanic to pull his front tires and provide a repair estimate.

Although there are some steel ball joint rebuild kits around, I think replacement is most often recommended. Unquestionably, a failed ball joint will produce any number of serious and often very dangerous situations. A couple of years ago, just as a friend in his 82 928 rounded a sweeping curve and hit a large rain filled pot hole, his right front suspension suddenly collapsed. After plowing into a muddy ditch, his car came to a relatively safe ass down landing in about a foot of water. It took several attempts to locate the tow eyelet socket because of the muck he had bulldozed up against the front end. Following a few cold ones, he had regained his sense of humor and we jokingly promoted him to Capt Submarine.....

Michael