ksimpson

Got my car back on Friday after having a track rod end replaced. I was getting vibration in the steering on braking and the OPC couldn't find any obvious problem. The brakes were fine and the only possibility was some play in the track rod end.

I got an independent specialist to replace it, but before he did, he told me that he thought it unlikely that the track rod was causing the vibration. While doing the job, he found that the "A" arm bushings were soft causing some back/forward movement in the front wheels which was more likely the cause. Driving the car home on Friday, the vibration is still there, but maybe not quite as bad as it was. Is it possible that the track rod problem was exacerbating it?

Anyway, I was told that it's not possible to replace the bushing on its own and that the entire "A" arm has to be replaced. Does anyone know if it's possible to avoid the full replacement as it looks as though it will cost me upwards of €1k.

I was told they don't need to be done urgently and can wait until my next service in mid summer.

viperbob

That is true Ken. There are no replacement factory bushings for the a-arms, except on a new a-arm. It does seem a little odd, but that is the truth. The only replamement bushings that are available are monoballs for a full race setup. It sounds like when you get this repaired you'll have a nice Porsche art piece to hang on your wall... Definitely a conversation piece.

Terry Adams

I put in new A-arms at 73K when I did the suspension upgrade, $400 each. The installer noticed cracks in the bushings and play of about 1/4". Bushings not sold spearately. See if Gert Carnewal has them.

Tito

As above , I had my A arms replaced as the bushes were not available separately.
Tito.

Jeff96-993

Is there not some Rennlist sponsor willing to make an improved aftermarket bushing???? It seems like that would be a better solution than buying an entire new A-arm... or am I missing something?

And it seems like the need is great, as I've seen a few posts from others concerning the same problem.

TroyN

Is the main symptom of bad bushing(s) a vibration on braking? Or, vibration in general?

JasonAndreas

There is a company that just started making replacement bushings for the 964. Someone in need of replacements for their 993 should call them

**EDITED***

and ask about having them made.

viperbob

The aarms are a little different for a 993 - 964, but it can't hurt to give them a call.... I'll call them up on Monday. It would be great to supply proper bushings and not have to throw away the entire a-arm. Sometimes, I don't know what Porsche was thinking....

ca993twin

Is it fair to assume that any 993 with more than... I dunno... 50,000 miles is probably in need of these bushings? It seems like that would be most of us, whether we know it or not. Viperbob... I think you should become the west coast supplier for these bushings. Plus, I'm almost ready for another of your famous BBQs!

JasonAndreas

If someone had an original unmolested bushing than a mold could be made in RTV Silicone and new replacement bushings could be cast in polyurethane very inexpensively.

nman413

Bob, maybe the remaining A-arm off my car can be reused?

jorisg

Hi guys, can anybody post what the symptones are of worn-out a-arm bushses? I have strange vibration around 100 ~ 120 km could of course also be my tires, but somehow I doubt this!

Thanks for the info!

Terry Adams

I cannot say what the symptoms of worn A-arm bushings were, except (a) my OEM shocks were also worn out and (b) there was no vibration.

Greg Fishman

If anyone wants to sell/give me a set of their old A-arms I would be glad to take them off your hands.

I need a spare set for my parts collection!

Thanks

greg@gfishman.com

ksimpson

The symptom I'm experiencing is slight to moderate steering wheel vibration on braking. This is intermittent, but there more times than not. It's worse braking from high speeds and not there below 30mph. There are no symptoms driving normally but I gather I'm in the early stages of deterioration and I may see other symptoms over the next few months.