Replacing early A-Arms with later aluminum

thoen · 07-09-2008, 05:46 PM

has anyone changed their control arms on an early 944 using the newer later model aluminum arms? I have a parts list from Vol IX Up Fixin Der Porsche but no detals.
The update parts list is:
951 341 027 00 left a arm
951 341 028 00 right a arm
951 341 431 01 (2) camber eccentrics
951 341 023 00 bushings
Thanks!!

nynor · 07-09-2008, 06:03 PM

IMO, don't do it. the steel ones are rebuildable, and cost about one tenth as much. is there a reason you want to do this?

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

As nynor said, dont bother! Other than looking pretty, the aluminum arm's if anything are a disadvantage over the stamped steel arms!

onZedge · 07-09-2008, 06:40 PM

I wish somebody could come up with inexpensive stamped steel arms with the caster eccentric feature of the aluminum arms AND the sway-bar mounting feature of the aluminum arms...
Did I mention inexpensive?

Spidey944 · 07-09-2008, 08:08 PM

I did it on a customers car when we upgraded sway bars. This is a MUST if you are running a 30mm ft bar as the stamped ones can not handle the stress for long. Customer LOVED it at his next autocross. Just my .02

nynor · 07-09-2008, 08:19 PM

ok, that makes sense.

Schumi · 07-09-2008, 11:07 PM

The stamped steel ones can be box welded to add rigidity. They must be annealed properly afterwards however as welding on the stamped steel weakens the area around the welds.

JivenJim · 07-09-2008, 11:48 PM

944 Spec racers drill out the Sway bar hole in steal Arms. I've never heard of one failing except in a crash. No additional reinforcement but that would be nice. Then the steel is prefered. It bends instead of breaking, giving you at least some control till you stop. IMOP. New Steel arms are like $50 or less. Show us some pics of Reinforced steal would be great!

Tam Lin · 07-10-2008, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JivenJim

Then the steel is prefered. It bends instead of breaking, giving you at least some control till you stop. IMOP. New Steel arms are like $50 or less. Show us some pics of Reinforced steal would be great!

1) The aluminium arms shattering/breaking is a myth. I can show you a couple from the 944 race series here in the UK that have seen some armco, and they're bent like a pretzel.
2) On my 924S, I went with 1985 Turbo aluminium a arms, because attaching a "sway"/arb larger than about 26.8mm is a PITA with steel
3) I wish someone came out with an aluminium a arm that's got a replaceable ball joint, is built for the geometry of a lowered front suspension, and doesn't cost as much as the rest of the car...

thoen · 07-10-2008, 05:38 AM

wow!!!
After reading the article in "Up Fixin IX", I got the feeling that the steel ones were not as rigid and the article states that they should NOT be used for racing. I don't race but I do like to have the best for my car. There is no reason in my mind for switching, just as a possible upgrade. You guys make me feel that perhaps I shouldn't???

Slam · 07-10-2008, 11:47 AM

I wouldn't change from steel to aluminum, but that's 'cause I like the fact I can rebuild my own inexpensively. I don't track the car and don't flog it much on the highways, though.

Aslet · 07-10-2008, 12:46 PM

I have always heard that the original aluminum arms were not the strongest, not as good as the steel, and they updated them in later models... Can anyone confirm this? Also, unless you have a real reason, why bother? If you are gonna track it and add the 30mm swy bars, sure, go for it. If not, don't waste your money and get something more effective for your car to help performance (good tires, tune-up). If you just want to spend money, I could always use few things...

-Randy

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aslet

I have always heard that the original aluminum arms were not the strongest, not as good as the steel, and they updated them in later models... Can anyone confirm this? Also, unless you have a real reason, why bother? If you are gonna track it and add the 30mm swy bars, sure, go for it. If not, don't waste your money and get something more effective for your car to help performance (good tires, tune-up). If you just want to spend money, I could always use few things...

-Randy

The steel are the original, not the aluminum. If you just drive it on the road, there is no real need. I will be changing my '84 non sunroof early model to later model suspension, as well as several other changes.

Dantilla · 07-10-2008, 02:04 PM

I race on steel arms that have been reinforced. The stock steel arms can deform slightly under extreme cornering loads with R-compound tires, changing camber mid-corner.

Simply boxing the flanges eliminates this.

Aslet · 07-11-2008, 04:05 PM

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/merchant/indiana_judson

A fellow Pelican member is selling 951 arms right now... Just wanted to pass the word along, if you wanted to go down this path.

thoen · 07-11-2008, 04:33 PM

no thanks. Not after the GREAT replies I got from you guys.
thank you for giving me the url!!!

JivenJim · 07-11-2008, 07:05 PM

Dantilla, Can you show me picts of the boxed Steal Arms. Would love to make a good thing beter on the cheap. Now, Charlie Ams would be dreamy..but for 1600$ Yikes.