Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi all, failed the MOT today, on the front alloy lower wishbone ball joints on both sides. (and the bl**dy handbrake again - grrrr, mot tester needs some wheatabix)
initial panic over - it seems you can buy rebuild kits for the alloy arms. Anyone had any experience of these?
doesn't sound particularly difficult but do they work OK?

Don't bother with the kits get a pair already fettled p/ex from Hartech. The difference in cost is not worth the effort and Hartech's are better.

hmm... well I would disagree with Hartech reconditioned wishbone prices being close to the kits, not even close?? I replaced one of mine using a kit (drivers side two years ago with no issues and it was an easy job to do, plus I added a grease nipple to the cap, not necessary but I thought it might help for longevity due to the hard life these joints get with speed ramps these days. IIRC I got my kit from 'Design911', beware of some of the eBay kits as there are some less quality ball joints out there.. the link below might help you decide whether to do it yourself or not... job took about 20 mins, although I did have the use of a ramp which speeds things up a little.... http://www.design911.co.uk/blog/index.p ... rsche-944/

regards

Pete

This, the rebuild kit I struggled with (suspect the housing was out of round!) & it lasted less than three months.
Hartech use a different ball which is beefier & an uprated but not poly rear bush.

I have the Rennbay kit which I didn't use as Hartech are just around the corner and they do a competition version for lowered suspension I went for that. Really just to save time off the road. Yes they are not that cheap but neither is my time and I took the old ones back the following day. I have known Barry for many years and highly rate his engineering knowledge, his explanation of the difference to alternatives was enough, though the 3% charge on a debit card was a shock. If you want my Rennbay kit give me a pm.

I have a pair of good arms here that have just been vapour blasted so look like new. Pm if interested

Does the comp version just have a longer pin ? I've only had a % added on a credit card for any transaction, did they really charge on a debit card ?

Yes it's longer and not waisted all round just a recess for the cotter pin. I also fitted the 968 Caster block which is a bit stiffer. My suspension is lowered to 968 CS ride height with stiffer front springs on coil overs and 968 torsion bars. It's not an unbearably stiff ride but can be a bit lively on slippy surfaces. I queried the charge on my debit card but I understand it is discretionary. If you can find 968 wishbones they have provision for a brake cooling deflector but with a bit off fiddling you can get them to fit the 944 wishbones.

I think Hartech are bending you over, there's a few places that I deal with regularly that give nothing away and they all charge for credit card but not for debit. My car is lowered and on coilovers too, I resisted the temptation to lower the arches right down onto the wheels after reading it can pull the standard ball joint apart .

Kashurst,

Wishbone ball joints are a bit of an old chestnut on here. You have three options; 1. Hartech, who will 'remanufacture' the wishbones and charge a couple of hundred per side; 2. Rennbay (US company) who will send you some substantial but very expensive bits to rebuild the joint with (notable because they have a metal cup and a grease nipple) and a very robust after-sales service; 3. various UK-based manufacturers who will supply a similar kit but with a plastic cup and no grease nipple.

When I did the research last summer it seemed that option 3. wasn't great as the cheaper kits were prone to failure after a short lifespan (less than 5000 miles in some cases). I went for option 2., but it did feel expensive once you had paid shipping and import duties, and you don't get many parts for the money. It also felt like the parts were originally designed for something else and could probably be purchased very cheaply elsewhere if you knew what you were looking for.

Mine has done around 3000 miles thus far and seems to be working well.


Oli.

Option 2 is what I'd probably go for. Hartech if someones not competent with DIY.

Fitting the Rennbay kit is pretty easy. The trickiest bit is getting the internal circlip out of the retaining groove and that's just a matter of using a good screwdriver and some bad language.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaVvsUY-Uhc


Oli.

I went with the Hartech option on my S2 which was fine.

What is a testament to the above is my 951. That was on 2 Hartech arms up front. Being very low did not make them wear any faster. They are still on the car from what I can tell with it now having covered almost 30k from the time I owned it and probably 10k-20k before I bought the car.

That said if I was doing it again and I only had a little play in the balljoints I'd probably get the Rennbay kit.

out of interest, how much does the rennbay kit work out at after been fleeced by import tax and so on

Brian

I've just seen the price of the Rennbay kit @ $185 before shipping and taxes. At that money I'd get the Hartech arm. No messing about, the arm has been machined if the balljoint was bit too far gone and you get a new bush in the arm as well. With the exchange rate there is probably not much difference in the pricing either.