Skip

Just wanted to restart this for archival/redirect purposes...

More info on front control arms (A-arms):

1. 924 mid 82 and older - stamped steel - VW/Audi part# 477.407.153F (left & right)
2. 924 mid 82 and later, 924S, 944 83-85.1 - stamped steel - VW/Audi part# 171.407.153D (left & right)
3. 944 85.5-86 na/Turbo - Cast aluminum - 951.341.027.00 (left), 951.341.028.00 (right)
4. 944/968 87-95 na/S/S2/Turbo non-M758/M030 - cast aluminum - 944.341.027.02 (left), 944.341.028.02 (right)
5. 944/968 87-95 M758/M030 & 89 Turbo - Cast Aluminum (larger slotted pin) - 951.341.027.31 (left), 951.341.028.31 (right) [PCNA superceded part# - change 027/028 to 927/928]

I've found no other reference to verify the current existence of "competition arms" as stated in a letter from Alwin Springer located in the 944 FAQ. The part numbers were: 951.341.027.32 and 951.341.028.32.

Conjecture:

1. Steel arms are very cheap, and, can be retrofitted to 85.5-86 944's. The advantage being the affordablility and ease of ball-joint replacement. Blaszak Precision markets a custom reinforced version of the steel arm for 83-86 944 race applications.
2. Rebuilt Aluminum arms can be found for as little as $150, though these are NOT recommended for use in extended track applications.
3. New OE Porsche aluminum arms for non-M758/M030 cars can be found at dealers and select others for ~$450-600
4. New OE Porsche aluminum arms for M758/M030 cars can be found at dealers and select others for ~$750
5. Aftermarket Race application A-arms go for ~$1600/set. These billet aluminum pieces feature stronger overall construction, replaceable/servicable ball-joints, spherical cross-member bushing, and spherical caster eccentric bushing (optional). They are direct bolt-on for 85.5-86 and 87-95 944/968 cars, and could easily be applied to 83-85.1 944's as well.

Here's some pics to go with the explanation:

• Early Steel Arm -
• Late Aluminum Arm -
• Aftermarket Arm -

Please let me know if there are an corrections or other questions.

Good Luck Folks!

Roy LaZelle

Skip: I saw a reference in Excelence to the aftermarket arms as "required" for compititon... what's the story (or have I recollected incorrectly) --Roy--

Skip

Grrr... you got me

I had thought the same thing. I posted on the 944 and racing lists and the only response so far is that PCA does not require them at any level/class. I'm assuming this would be an SCCA GT rule, if anything. Still searching... though I don't have all the complete GCR's for all sanctions.

Any other racer-types out there know this??? What level/class/sanction requires the use of modified control arms?

Skip

Tabor

I know that some racing organizations require them if your car is lowered past the determined "safe" point.

Skip

That's a good point... but, the factory altered the design of follow-on Arms to allow for another ~4 degrees of angle change. This was in response to the factory lowering of Euro model M030/031 944S2/951/968 and Club Sport 968. I wonder if the rule makers made allowance for that?

Skip

Roy LaZelle

After work I checked the Excellence index and found the reference that I am hopeing someone can bring up to date. It was listed in Technical Notes under "944 A-arm Failures" 51:32 Feb 95. It says that IMSA requires any 944 or 968 to use FABCAR front A-arms and ball joints. The note also says that this applies to all the cars with cast aluminum A-arms. --Roy--

Skip

Kewl... thanks for the research!

IMSA... now Professional Sports Car Racing... would probably still hold folks to that standard then. From what I see, the only series with 944's would be ALMS and HSR. Not too many folks out there with cars like ours in this series... in fact Broadfoot may be the only one???

Regardless, it is most certainly a good idea to use the stronger aftermarket arms (beit Charlie, Fabcar, etc) in endurance race situations. There's a discussion evolving on the racing list stemmed from my post there regarding this topic. Will be interesting to see the responses build.

Skip

hunterdasch

There are no less expensive options other than $1500 or $1600 for these? I guess it doesnt make sense to not buy the aftermarket?

Travis - sflraver

This is old info. Last update was over 9 years ago and some items on the list in the first post are wrong.

We offer a solid bushing track ball joint kit for installation on the late aluminum control arms and there are a few more aftermarket arm solutions out there now as opposed to when this was first posted.

hunterdasch

So can I buy a rebuilt unit from you and send mine back as a core? I wouldn't trust myself to rebuild a ball joint?

hunterdasch

has anyone done this? Is there a shop in Northern VA that will rebuild my A arms?

Travis - sflraver

installation instructions

Its a pretty easy job but we can do it for you if you like. Ball joint installation is $50 per arm plus the kit cost & shipping. We do not have any rebuilt units on the shelf.

ideola

From this recent thread on 924board:

...and a little further down...
There was also this thread on Pelican that generated quite a ... colorful ... discussion:

Geldfalle 944

I just ordered the deluxe kit from automotion. They have a sale through today. 15% off through midnight tonight. Basically pays for shipping. No offense to Travis, I plan on shooting more business your way.

Promo/Coupon code is ALT

Travis - sflraver

Those are my kits anyway... so buy away!!