bob944

Hello, I have a question for anybody that has owned an early 944 with the hollow left front spindle that the speedometer cable passes through. I have heard of at least a couple track related failures due to this weaker part, and the results can be ugly to say the least. Has anyone experienced a spindle failure, and if so what did you do to correct the problem? I am tracking my '84 more heavily now, and with a fairly heavy 400lb coil over setup I am fearful of the dreaded spindle failure. Does anyone know for sure if some version of the later spindle will adapt to the early car....or do I need to change struts, calipers, rotors, wheels, and/or any other related parts? I realize swapping to solid spindles will lose the speedomer function, but this is acceptable for a track car if necessary. Is there any other known solution to this problem?

Thanks for your advice!
Andy
'84 944

leonc944

Yep, they break. Yep, it's expensive when it happens... Minimum, one driver side fender, maximum could result in injury or death.

Do I have your attention.

1) Magnaflux your spindles yearly.

2) Consider changing the driver side spindle to one from a 85/2 or 86 944. This eliminates the hole, but doesn't make the spindle larger.

3) The best solution is to upgrade to 87-89 944 spindles and hubs and rotors. They are about 40 percent larger in diameter, and much stronger.

4) If you are planning to upgrade your brakes, consider the 87-88 944 Turbo spindles, hubs and rotors and calipers. Same diameter as the 87-89 NA, but with the 4 piston brakes.

5) Magnaflux your spindles yearly, no matter what you change.

bob944

Thanks for the info leonc944, and I have seen pictures of the kind of damage this failure can cause.

Does anyone out there have a good used left front spindle from an 85/2 or 86 for sale?

Thanks,
Andy