rs10

It seems this bearing is showing it's age. But the Porsche dealer believes the only way to replace it is to replace the whole arm, which seems like a lot for a little piece of rubber (or similar).

Anyone know of any alternative/solutions?

(P.S. I did search, and maybe I somehow missed this, but only one thread came up mentioning steering arms.)

Thanks!

DBJoe996

Which bearing? What arm? Are you talking about a tie rod end?
http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-p...section=403-00

Ahsai

#8 in the diagram above?

rymerc

If it's just the outer tie rod end you can get them for $20-$50ish each, they are VERY easy to replace- 15-20 minutes tops. The alignment will take longer and cost more than the replacement, might as well do both and check your inners for play while you're in there.

I have not seen the dust cover for sale individually but I"m sure you could find a universal fit if you scoured the internet.

rs10

Thanks. And yes, the picture I was shown looks like number 8. What I was shown was a Google image, not sure if it was from a 996, and there seemed to be a bushing. Perhaps the thicker round part that the number 8 points to is black? Anyway, they told me this part was a bit worn out. But I'll just get the whole thing if it is so cheap. ($20-50 is for the whole thing, no?)

rymerc

$20-$50 for the complete outer tie rod end. There is no replaceable bushing, only a rubber dust cover covers the ball joint itself. Tons of places to buy from - pelicanparts, rockauto, ecstuning, wharehouse33, amazon, etc

Ahsai

Regardless of price, you have to replace the whole piece.

rs10

Thanks everyone! So unusually simple solution, and unusually cheap. Nice.

Though I seem to have heard that it is possible to upgrade front control arms by switching to GT3 control arms. I don't suppose there is any upgrade here. After all, the good thing about something going wrong is that it's a chance/excuse to upgrade ;-)

Thanks again!

rs10

Well, perhaps not, actually. I'm getting quoted a price (by the dealer) of nearly $100 for each side. And that's just for part number 8. They say that if one replaces part 8, it is also recommended to replace part number 6 (which has a similar price). And they say the whole job requires 4 hours of labor plus resetting the geometry, as the whole steering assembly must be disassembled.

Does this make any sense? Not the prices - I'm sure I can get the parts for less elsewhere. But the need to replace part 6 when one replaces part 8?

altonj

(6) only needs to be replaced if showing wear. If doing one side, it can make sense to do both sides as they have similar use. Book time to replace both outer tie rods (8) is 1.3 and an additional .8 to replace both inner (6). Then a wheel alignment at whatever cost your dealer/independent charges. Book time on an alignment is 3.0 but most won't charge that.

Cheers

rs10

Thanks! That's what I needed to know.

I am curious though - book time of 1.3 means 1.3 hours? Or ... ? (I know sometimes time for car repairs is charged in much shorter units.)

altonj

Yes, 1.3 hours.