Aluminum Ball Joints, etc.
02-01-2003, 11:47 PM
#1
Racer
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Aluminum Ball Joints, etc.
As I contemplate replacing the ball joints on my pre-steel '83, I've begun to wonder where a manufacturer's liability ends. You fellas with more intimate knowledge of Porsche and/or you lawyer types, please chime in.
If Porsche knows, and has known, that the aluminum ball joints will fail, and there have been documented accidents attributed to them, it seems to me there should be some liability there. I know it's been 20 years, but a design flaw is a design flaw.
Any thoughts?
If Porsche knows, and has known, that the aluminum ball joints will fail, and there have been documented accidents attributed to them, it seems to me there should be some liability there. I know it's been 20 years, but a design flaw is a design flaw.
Any thoughts?
02-02-2003, 12:32 AM
#2
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a. The ball joints themselves are not aluminum, they are steel. The ball joint supports are what is aluminum.
b. Ball joints are "wear parts" that are commonly replaced when they pass a certain level of wear. Cars of all types have their front-ends fall apart if wear parts aren't replaced. If this logic were followed all cars would be subject to similar liability.
I've seen many cars MUCH newer than 1984 928s that have had front suspension failure. Have you seen cars at the side of the road collapsed on their wheels? This is a suspension failure, either ball joints or upper/lower control arm bushings..
c. The vast majority of cars with aluminum ball joint supports haven't failed ... the fact is it is very nasty should they fail.
So, IMHO you don't stand much of a chance going after Porsche to replace front suspension parts on a 20 year old car that haven't even failed yet! Show me other 20 year old cars that have a front end as tight as a 928!
FYI, this is the list of parts that should be replaced ....
two 928.341.049.12 ball joint supports
four 928.341.466.00 adjusting eccentrics
one 928.341.091.05 left bracket;
one 928.341.092.05 right bracket.
Two 12MM Nut 999-084-420-02
(optional: replace rubber boots for the upper ball joints)
b. Ball joints are "wear parts" that are commonly replaced when they pass a certain level of wear. Cars of all types have their front-ends fall apart if wear parts aren't replaced. If this logic were followed all cars would be subject to similar liability.
I've seen many cars MUCH newer than 1984 928s that have had front suspension failure. Have you seen cars at the side of the road collapsed on their wheels? This is a suspension failure, either ball joints or upper/lower control arm bushings..
c. The vast majority of cars with aluminum ball joint supports haven't failed ... the fact is it is very nasty should they fail.
So, IMHO you don't stand much of a chance going after Porsche to replace front suspension parts on a 20 year old car that haven't even failed yet! Show me other 20 year old cars that have a front end as tight as a 928!
FYI, this is the list of parts that should be replaced ....
two 928.341.049.12 ball joint supports
four 928.341.466.00 adjusting eccentrics
one 928.341.091.05 left bracket;
one 928.341.092.05 right bracket.
Two 12MM Nut 999-084-420-02
(optional: replace rubber boots for the upper ball joints)
02-02-2003, 12:54 AM
#3
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Rob
Don't even contemplate it. As NIKE says "just do it." I've told my story many times of how mine let loose but I'll save you the details.
As your tagline reads: 83 with S4 updates, one of those updates should be the balljoints.
It will cost you alot less to replace them, than what it could cost you if you don't.
Don't even contemplate it. As NIKE says "just do it." I've told my story many times of how mine let loose but I'll save you the details.
As your tagline reads: 83 with S4 updates, one of those updates should be the balljoints.
It will cost you alot less to replace them, than what it could cost you if you don't.
