neilll

I have seen people state that 944 control arms are the same as Mk1 golf arms. Does this go so far as to make them interchangeable? This company has some pretty nicely priced control arms with poly bushings installed. To my eye they look the same but I'd be curious to hear if I missed something, or if others have recommendations. Could I order these and install them on to an early 944?

http://store.blackforestindustries.c...oarprpob1.html

My bushings look worn but not much for symptoms from the drivers seat.

odonnell

I'm running them. Direct fit.

neilll

Thank you.

Jason @ Paragon Products

We offer similar except we use the Racers Edge Delrin bushing on the front and Weltmeister Poly Graphite on the rear

http://www.paragon-products.com/Cont....153d-race.htm

neunfünfeins

The control arms and ball joints themselves are VW Mk1 Part #s (171---). Indistinguishable and interchangeable in any sense of the word.
Not to knock on BFI, but they're not necessarily known for being the cheapest option out there.
You can source all of these components individually yourself and spend less money.

Jason @ Paragon Products

Just make sure you're using a good brand of arm. We stick with OEM Lemforder. They're inexpensive so no reason to save a few bucks on an off brand.

911lnv87

Quick question, would those would be appropriate to use on a 1986 944 turbo? If so what would be all that one would need to buy as it seems there are no ball joint on the pictures?
Thanks for your feedback and advise.

Jason @ Paragon Products

You'd also need the ball joints

http://www.paragon-products.com/Pors...1.407.365f.htm

Ball joint hardware

http://www.paragon-products.com/Pors...joint%20hk.htm

2 Caster Block "Clips" (477.407.169) as Porsche calls them...the metal bracket that surrounds the caster block bushing and bolts up to the frame. They're NLA from Porsche now so you'd have to find some used ones or, we could build some arms using the new Racers Edge Caster Blocks with Delrin inserts:

http://www.paragon-products.com/Pors...p/mc-9001d.htm

You'll also need to adapt the later style sway bar to mount to the early steel arms. Couple ways of going about that.

CyCloNe!

I have the early arms on my car they do great and can't beat the affordable price and ease of install/part interchange.

Arms
Caster Blocks
Balljoints
Sway Bar Bushings and Holder

I think it was around 225-250 in parts total to do it.

odonnell

My Meyle arms were $15 each. Are they going to be ok long term? They seem to be exactly the same in terms of manufacturing as the (likely original) arms I took off the car, down to the spot weld placement.

So, $30 for those, $25 or so for the ball joints (Paragon Parts), and $40 for Prothane poly bushings. The sway bar mounts are $20 on ebay (I got some for my 951 which I'm converting later) and I would think the caster clips are about the same used. You can use VW ones there too because they're cheaper and easier to find, but they are structurally different and may flex a little more.

neunfünfeins

This saddens me when I think about it, because Meyle used to be a great OEM... but in the last decade or so they've outsourced a lot of their MFG to developing countries and some of their stuff has gotten downright crappy.
That said... pressed-steel-and-welded control arms aren't something they're as likely to screw up. They could have gone cheap on the powdercoat though, so give them a look-see now & then. Unless you find them rusting out on you prematurely, I wouldn't worry too much.

My first choice would have been OEM febi-Bilstein if you can find them, but I haven't seen them around in a few years. Lemforder is a good choice too, like Jason said.

pfarah7

Last year's project (before & after):