Can a Bad Control Arm - Catastrophic Failure/Accident?
12-17-2004, 05:57 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
Sorry to hear you need to replace the control arm, they are not cheap. I think factory new is about $500 part, aftermarket (billet aluminum) run a bit more.
Thee bad news is this. You will hear scary stories about a few 944 areas. These will include timing/balance shaft belts, front control arms, and #2 rod bearings. The reason is simple. Any of these items, when it goes, can spool not only your day/week/month... but your whole year.
The good news is that the relatively few (and I mean FEW) worry points in these cars are pretty well known and documented, conveniently at your fingertips on RennList. With a little preventative maintenance, you'll safely avoid any of the issues and enjoy much trouble-free 944 ownership.
They really are wonderful cars, even if they hit you up for a $500 part or labor job once in a while.
Keep the shiney side up!
Thee bad news is this. You will hear scary stories about a few 944 areas. These will include timing/balance shaft belts, front control arms, and #2 rod bearings. The reason is simple. Any of these items, when it goes, can spool not only your day/week/month... but your whole year.
The good news is that the relatively few (and I mean FEW) worry points in these cars are pretty well known and documented, conveniently at your fingertips on RennList. With a little preventative maintenance, you'll safely avoid any of the issues and enjoy much trouble-free 944 ownership.
They really are wonderful cars, even if they hit you up for a $500 part or labor job once in a while.
Keep the shiney side up!
12-17-2004, 10:47 PM
#22
Drifting
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Taiwan
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Hi AzvDrzn,
I'm in Taipei. Yes, there are'nt many 944's here. As far as I know
theres less then 10 951s in exsistance. I buys all my parts from
the US. You'll get slaughtered if you buys parts here, scary prices.
I'm in Taipei. Yes, there are'nt many 944's here. As far as I know
theres less then 10 951s in exsistance. I buys all my parts from
the US. You'll get slaughtered if you buys parts here, scary prices.
12-19-2004, 12:52 AM
#23
Three Wheelin'
J Chen I'd be scared to drive a nice Porshe around taiwan, the drivers there are insane!!! Now that I know there are 944's in Taiwan I'll be looking for them when I go at the end of the month, who knows I might even spot yours.
12-19-2004, 02:07 AM
#24
Drifting
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Taiwan
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Hi Azn,
Yes insane but it keeps you alert & makes you a better
driver at the end of the day. If you go to Tainan, my god
it's even worse there. Traffic lights does'nt seem to exist
at all. Where in Taiwan are you heading too ?
Yes insane but it keeps you alert & makes you a better
driver at the end of the day. If you go to Tainan, my god
it's even worse there. Traffic lights does'nt seem to exist
at all. Where in Taiwan are you heading too ?
12-19-2004, 02:12 AM
#25
Three Wheelin'
I'll be is dan shuay, tainan, hwa lien, taipei and probably a few other places along the way. My family is scattered about all over the place so I'll be a lot of places. Please excuse the bad spelling, I was never good at writing chinese out in english letters.
If you need any 944 parts let me know if the next few days and I might be able to help you out by bringing them back with me.
If you need any 944 parts let me know if the next few days and I might be able to help you out by bringing them back with me.
12-24-2004, 03:25 PM
#27
Instructor
Thread Starter
Update: The bad control arm has been replaced, and I am much more comfortable driving now.
It looks like I need new struts/shocks. Anyone care to recommend models/options that will work for me? I'm not going to change the size of my rims (sticking with the 15" phone dials, thanks), in case wheel size is an issue. Is anyone aware of the choices I have to pick from, and good sources for pricing?
Thanks, and have a happy holiday.
It looks like I need new struts/shocks. Anyone care to recommend models/options that will work for me? I'm not going to change the size of my rims (sticking with the 15" phone dials, thanks), in case wheel size is an issue. Is anyone aware of the choices I have to pick from, and good sources for pricing?
Thanks, and have a happy holiday.
12-24-2004, 04:35 PM
#29
Jonathan- what kind of symptoms did you get with your bad control arm?
My car makes a grinding type sound from the front of the car sometimes when I make speedy left turns. . Won't hear it at all if i'm turning right. Thought maybe that could be something related to ball joints/control arms/wheel bearings or maybe something completely different.
Anybody have any ideas? Oh..and Merry Christmas!
My car makes a grinding type sound from the front of the car sometimes when I make speedy left turns. . Won't hear it at all if i'm turning right. Thought maybe that could be something related to ball joints/control arms/wheel bearings or maybe something completely different.
Anybody have any ideas? Oh..and Merry Christmas!
12-24-2004, 04:52 PM
#30
Race Director
Originally Posted by Z-man
Oh, one more thing - ball-joint failure is more likely to occur on 944's that have been lowered - seems this puts additional stress on the A-arm.
-Z.
-Z.
Don't lower the car with too low a spring rate.