Madmax64

I got a 944 S last year. I haven't driven it much, but it is the most fun car I have ever owned! That said, I am working on it and fixing everything up before I drive it. I need to replace the passenger front control arm. Here's my question- I've seen prices that have a HUGE price difference. I definitely don't plan on 'cheaping out', but also don't want to pay $1000 for one if I don't have to. Why is there such a price difference?

Madmax64

I see that the 'cheaper' steel ones are for older models. I still see some aluminum ones that vary in price too though. Then there are billet ones... Also my dad always taught/told me to replace things in pairs. He always said if one side failed, even if the other side seems good, being the same age and mileage it too is prone to failure. Maybe that's not needed, but I'd rather do both sides and be done with it. Just not enthused about $2,000 just for the arms...

Gage

The front control arms from an 87, if they are original, are rebuildable. Ball joint kits available from Paragon or Rennbay, front bushings from Elephant racing, rear castor blocks from Porsche.

Pin It

Depending on what has failed, there is probably no reason to replace the entire control arm(s) at significant cost. Bushing kits are available for the later cast aluminum arms and Rennbay makes a ball-joint replacement kit that is fairly easy to install. This is the approach that I took a few years ago and am very pleased with the results.

Tom Pultz

A left control arm, 944-341-027-02, new from Delaware Porsche is $486.31. If I were going to replace with new I'd do both of them, or if rebuilding I'd also rebuild both, and get the newer style 968 caster blocks, 951-341-023-01, about $98 each. Unfortunately, in checking further, it appears the normal right side is NLA and has been superseded to the M030 version, 944-341-928-31, which is $735.03 (ouch).

Madmax64

That is good to know/hear

Madmax64

I just had the car totally checked out and other than minor things, this was the only major issue with it. I'm not upset for a $1000 buy

mj951

Save your money for future maintenance parts and start learning to do some basic repairs / maintenance yourself if you have the garage space and a daily driver.
Rebuilding ball joints and replacing the original fuel lines were the first two maintenance items I repaired on my 951 and any car for that matter.
I did not grow up working on cars other than installing a car stereo or two. That was fifteen years ago and several 'cough' dollars in DIY replacement parts and upgrades since.

bucket

I didn't want to repair the ball joints in mine myself so I picked up a pair of rebuilt front control arms for around $300 each from Zims. I got them without bushings so I could install Powerflex in the front and rear. I cleaned and reused the caster block housings for the Powerflex bushings too.