Greeting.

My question is with Ball joints. I need new ones, so I was wondering what all your opinions are on the best way to fix them. Here are the options I know of.

My car is a July 1985 build (late, but with the early offset I believe)

1)new control arm from Porsche
2)rebuild kit
3)send off control arm for a rebuild
4)modified/ rebuilt control arm
5)custom racing control arm (sombody like speedforce racing or Lindsey)
6) other??

Also I was wondering about option for the caster block and bushings?

1)leave alone
2)replace with new fatory parts
3)install updated 968 parts
4)aftermarket solid bushings/ aftermarket caster
5)other??

Any opinions on any of this would be great. By the way, I don't race, but I like to really tear up those windy country roads on the weekend.

 

I would go 968 M030 on the caster blocks for sure. Stock 944 bushings have too much play, solid bushings will beat you to death on the street.

For control arms, I would just pick up a set of rebuilt arms from Vertex Auto (around 199 an arm IIRC), then then send them your old cores. For a street car, the aftermarket arms are a bit overkill. The cheapest aftermarket arms are still around $1,000 a pair, so IMHO it is hard to justify that on a street car. If you are going to track the car in the future though.....then that is a worthwhile upgrade. I just installed a set of Racer's edge arms on a car after a balljoint failure at the track.

I have used Travis @ Rennbay's control arm rebuild kits, and that is an option, but if the pockets in your arms are worn, then the arms can not be rebuilt. You won't know the condition of the arms until you get the old ball joint out.

 

Hi again'

Ok, sounds about like the plan I had in mind anyways. Thank you for the second opinion on that.

Anybody else have any input on things pertaining to ball joints and control arms?

Happy driving everybody

 

So after some looking around I've descided to go with a brand new control arm, 968 caster and other hardware from Lindsey Racing. Talked to my mechanic and he seems a bit cautious about getting rebuilt arms. His name is Bruce Watson... Have you heard of him? Hes been in the Porsche business for something like 35 years. Anyways, my wallet is a little too thin to do it right away, but this will definitely be my next project.

Is there Anything else I should keep in mind when I get around to working on this?

Thanks again...

 

So I've gotten to looking around and have some confusion on the difference between two part numbers.

The first set is 94434102802 94434102702 (left and right control arms)

the second set is 95134102700 95134102800 (again left and right control arms)

What is the difference. I mean beyond the fact that one is labeled as 944 part and the other is turbo. Is the 951 part upgraded in any way like harder bushings or something?? Does anybody know?

Thank you...

 

Never mind I just found the Porsche parts catalog.