Eric

I already searched the archives, and couldn't find my answer. I have decided to keep my car(86 951)--saw it yesterday, and it was so damn nice compared to others I have looked at, I can't part with it. Anyways, first order of buisness is new/rebuilt control arms. Options--Dynamic, Vertex, Paragon, etc.. I am looking for experiences--I read ribs' post saying that his Vertex arm was holding well--although I have read that their rebuilt racks were sketchy. So, if you have rebuilt arms, please post whose you are using, and wether you are satisfied, as this is going to be a definate purchase. Thanks listers.

Riff

I have re-builts A-arms from Dynamic. They ar holding up (~30K miles on them) and i am happy. Car is used primarily street, but is AX'ed when possible and hope to make a few DE's this year.

Cheers,

jim968

I bought a pair from Zim's for my former '88 na. One loosened up in about six months; they replaced it with no arguement at all, but I was still out labor & alignment. IIRC, originally installed the pair at about ~90K miles, the replacement at ~94K, sold the car at 110K+, both still tight.

This was a street-only car, but daily use was on mountain roads, complete with 'traffic-calming' potholes (1).

Jim, "You still route thru Atlanta, even when you die."

(1) this seems to be our municipal gov't's latest excuse for not fixing potholes; they reduce traffic speeds, thus making travel safer. <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" /> (dang, wrong finger _again_!).

Danno

I used Sloan's ball-joint replacement kit $175/pr. Worked out really well and was pretty simple to install. Here's a thread on it:



<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/scripts/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=15&t=003499" target="_blank">Problems replacing control arms (!)</a>

tt9714

Why not find a local race prep shop to do the work for you? This will save on shipping, and you can actually talk to the people who will be doing the work. Maybe I'm spoiled living here in Chicago, but there seem to be many options for service locally.

My race prep shop has replacement ball joints custom machined with all new "studs" and metal joints. The parts alone run $150 each and the shop charged $70 for labor on each joint. Total bill was $220/arm, but I am very satisfied with the results.

I have yet to actually reinstall the control arms in my car, but I don't expect any issues.

Michael Stephenson

Is this a great list or what??? <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

I am running rebuilt A-arms. Next go round I am going to do the Danno thing.

slevy951

I also have Sloan's kit in my car. Works very well.

Greg Hammond

Two rebuilt arms from Vertex, and at about 12K miles they're holding very well. No perceivable ball joint play. Some people gripe that they don't replace the metal bushing at the trailing edge of the arm, but it's my opinion that the bushing isn't a wear item in most cases.

They also come "primered" gray. If you don't like primer on your parts, don't get em. Personally, I'll take primer over corrosion anyday.

Greg

86Jason944

Why not install the steel control arms from the earlier cars? They are cheaper and you can buy them new from Paragon. I have not heard any complaints about the steel control arms going south on any one.

Just a thought.