Chads996

I'm sorry, but the prices of all the aftermarket control arms seem to be a complete ripoff. R&D my azz. All that is required is measurements and the proper choice of materials. Even the tubular welded versions are priced ridiculously. The cost of the materials, welding time and powder coating, ball joints, etc...$1700? Please. The average upcharge for a fabricated item is 20-30% above the cost....not 300%. These guys are all raping the 944 community. And have been for years.

Hell, maybe I'll fabricate some tubular chromoly arms.

I challenge a shop to produce a set of tubular Chrome Moly control arms for a reasonable price. I guarantee that if you do, you will not be able to keep them on your shelves. The 944 community has been BEGGING for someone to do this.

Chrome Moly tube: (INCH) TUBE ROUND 4130N 1 X .049 - $.32 per inch (approx 40" each) - $25.60
Jig setup: $100.
Tig welding time: 2-3 hours at $65/per hr - $195
Heim joints/rod ends: approx $41 (x2) - $82
Misc OE hardware (bolts, etc): $50

Estimate of set Total: $638.60 (cost)
Castor blocks (Lindsey Monoball): $295

Total: $747.60
+ 30% = retail price of $971.88

$1500 to 1900+ for just arms. Please. Give me a break. My estimate is based on the fabrication of tubular chromoly arms and buy out of castor blocks. Billet aluminum is $601 (4" 6061-T651 Aluminum Plate). The machine time needed for CNC I would expect to be close to 8 hours or more. My preference is the Chrome Moly. It is stronger than cast aluminum and would be close to being lighter than the machined billet aluminum piece.

I find the prices offered by most of the vendors to be ridiculous. If I can be proven wrong, I welcome it. But please provide a full cost estimate. Not retail.

C.

EDIT- Price adjusted. New part prices found.


Material Info source:

http://secure.chassisshop.com/partlist/5408/
http://secure.chassisshop.com/partlist/5320/

Bill N

You could sign me up!

Chads996

New price found for higher strength, cheaper chrome moly rod ends. Price adjusted.


C.

smlporsche

Been there done that...
Ended up finding a pair of unused Racer's Edge w/ pins for $1350 shipped...

I suspect your set up time cost is a little low and O&P of 30% hardly seems worth the time unless you could move 1000 of them. But then fabrication (on a small scale) is not my thing...

Apex Rex

I would have loved to have found a cheaper alternative to the current aftermarket a-arms, instead I settled on a set of new factory aluminum arms in the ballpark of $12-1300. The prices for the a-arms is crazy. If someone could manufacture a cheaper, at least equal alternative, they wouldn't be able to keep them in stock imo.

Racerrob

Is Markus Blazak no longer producing his arms? They are/were very good quality and a nice price.

bgiere

I left many,many messages for Blazak and never got a return call. I assume he is no longer making them?

Chads996

Same deal. He is asking almost the same as the others. (around $1500). Which is still crazy.

Eddie - setup costs came from a local welder. He said if it is based upon an existing part, setting up a jig is easy. If we were redesigning the geometry, and developing a completely new arm....that is different.

The best, most simplest example I can find is Lindsey Racing's. But they also want almost $1800 for them (with the heim based drop links for the sways). Sorry, but Heim joints are not expensive. Here is the best place I have found on the web for hardware and materials:

http://www.aedmotorsport.com/index.htm

Lindsey's arms

SeaCay

Chad:

There have been many threads on aftermarket arms on the 944, and 951 boards over the years. What may seem like a very simple part does have some quirks that have been addressed in those threads. One thing to consider, this is a part that has failed spectacularly in PCA (and others) racing. Your *** and wallet are on the line here, as well as the racers around you.

mikew968

I echo what others are saying here. If you can do it great. I don't insurance in the pricing. Most aftermarket folks have had arms break. The only ones that I ahve not heard of a failure is Charlie Arms. I think the issue is the low number of production runs. My sense is the stock arms are fine unless you track your car or lower it a lot. I tracked/raced for several years without a failure before I upgraded.


Mike

SeaCay

I would suspect Fabcar too. Have you heard of a failure with them?

Chads996

No fails on the Fabcars that I am aware of. In fact, those are the most coveted, if I recall.

C.

Chads996

I agree. But most never dare to venture. I will be calling some local fabrication gurus on Monday to see what the final cost on a setup would be. My prices above were from a year or so ago when I getting some other components fabricated.

Based upon my estimates thus far, I still believe these guys are taking advantage of the 944 community. Supply and demand is one thing. Raping clients is another.

I have designed and had fabricated more elaborate components in my past. I don't see any reason why I could not investigate this one as well. This kind of stuff really irks me.

C.

eclou

I run Blaszak. IIRC they were about $500 pr.

Chads996

That's more like it. His certainly are beefy. Even a bit low-tech. I think we need a solution that is in the middle. Tubular Steel/Chrome Moly. I still think Lindsey's solution is a good one. Just massively over priced for what they are.

C.