Bhj0887

I found some rebuilt control arms on ebay for like $181 with a $75 core fee.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eb...tem=2477153988

What do you guys think? Cause I'd rather spend $100 more for 4 hours less labor. I'm refering to the ball joint kit.

Dave

That's one arm, the kit does both sides and the kit shouldn't take 4 hours more than just swapping the arms. I did the kit with arms ON the car and even with wasting a few hours with the wrong clamps I think I was ahead of pulling the arms.

Bhj0887

I think it would be easier to just swap the arms for $106 a peice it's well worth it. Plus I really don't trust myself with such a vital part. To me $116 for a job done correctly is nothing plus I know these are guaranteed and already assembled the right way.

It's not that it's hard to do it's just the fact that I don't want to have to blame myself if something goes wrong and I have to buy another kit, or even worse the epoxy doesn't seal correctly or something and the whole joint falls out (that wouldn't be a nice day).

The control arm has what 3 bolts? And it looks like have to remove the stabilizer bar. Looks alot easier than it probably is but then again it took me 4 hours and a cracked winsheild to swap the windsheild wiper motor and linkage.

AWolf

I can say from experience that the ball joint kit does not take 4 more hours even for a weekend mechanic. After you get the control arms off there are basically only a few steps you need to take. You also have the option of getting the rennbay balljoint kit with the zerk fittings which is a great deal in my opinion. Think about the time and cost of sending in your old a arms for the core charge. If you have access to a vice then that is about all you need. Its up to you but I would suggest the ball joint kit. Spend the $120 at most for the ball joints kit and fittings and then use the $96 difference to pay for a few tanks of gas. I would definately make sure that these A-Arms are $180 including the core charge and not $255 which would make them $180 after the refund.

-Andrew

Bhj0887

I haven't bought the arms yet. I asked him a few questions and im waiting for a response. It's not the fact that I couldn't do the job correctly, it's that I don't want to do it wrong, and I don't have an open garage to work in. I have to do it in one day and can't keep the car jacked up on the street too long by itself.

Before I saw these arms I was ready to buy the rennbay kit, but for 100 more I get the bushings as well (I don't know what they usually go for) and a little less labor time.

Again I'm a home mechanic that has a little more knowledge about engines over suspensions. I never used to deal with suspensions when I was a little younger because it could be dangerous if something goes wrong. I know, I'm thinking for the worst, but that's better than thinking for the best and something goes wrong. Then I'd be all upset, and possibly hurt.

Like I said before I can rebuild the joint myself, I just have a feeling that something will come up that may cost more than $100 if I do it that way. My instincts are usually correct too.

But back to the arms, if they are $181 minus the $75 core, is that a good deal? And how do they look to you.

AndyK

I got my arms from 944racing.com. Cheap ($109 each I think), and rebuilt VERY well!

EDIT: Looks like 944racing.com is down for the near future. That sucks.

Bhj0887

Yea, 944racing.com has been down for a while. I never even got to see their site but I've heard they were a good place to buy stuff.

But while we're on ther suspsension topic, will 87 Tubro struts fit my N/A. i was thinking of putting the whole assembly in with the spring but I beleive there stiffer, so would I do about the understeer? Or should I just put the struts in with my stock N/A springs?

Bhj0887

I think I'm going to buy the kit, because it is $181 plus the core and no bushings. It's not that bad of a deal but I can always buy another rennbay kit gor less if I mess up.

AndyK

Hey, every one of these mail order places "rebuild" the A-arms...why not you!?

Joe Jackson

Before you buy, find out how that arm was rebuilt. If it was machined for a different balljoint setup, then don't buy it b/c if you ever need it rebuilt again, you'll be SOL. From the description, the cost is $181 plus $75 refunded when they get your old arm. So, counting shipping, you're up over $200 for one. That's if they'll even accept your arm as a core. I bought the SSI kit which included the races and new pins and that was only $175 for both arms. Installation is a joke.

Skip

Yes, 87 951 struts will fit 87 944. Not much of an upgrade though - I doubt you'd notice the difference. The struts themselves are the same - unless they are Konis or you have blown struts, not much reason to swap. You would not experience any significant increase in understeer from installing Turbo struts and springs.

Good Luck!

Bhj0887

I bought the rennbay kit, I just decided to save myself some money, Hell, it could be a a good learning experience.

And yes my struts are shot, I know they can be rebuilt but me, a cutoff saw, and measuring don't mix, so I know I won't do that yet. I might buy a used set, and rebuild my old ones because I don't want the car to be "down" too long.

I'm positive I'll be asking more questions about this kit when it arrives, but thanks for all the help in leading me in the right desicsion.

Dave

Paragon will cut the struts for you, IIRC they'll send you a cut set and then you send them your old ones. Maybe Skip can give you the details.

Skip

Thanks, Dave. We actually cut/drill/convert/paint the struts so they are plug-n-play on arrival.

Bhj0887

How much?