924Board.org

[bcblase]

My white '87 924S has badly rusted steel control arms and I am looking to replace the whole front end with new components over the winter months. Can I replace the old steel control arms with a comparable aluminum control arm that was used on the later 944's?

I have been told "yes" and "no" from different suppliers.
What's the correct answer?

Thanks,
Brad

P.S. Any advice on the brand of struts/shocks I should install for my first Autocross car? How about adding a rear sway bar?
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

[MrMoMo]

Yes you can, I have 944 Turbo arms/suspension/brakes on my '87 924S, however be aware of the year that you remove these components from, as the offset is different on the later 944's.
_________________
Bruce

-------------------------
'87 924S (project 937)
'87 924S parts car
'87 924S parts car
-Strewn amongst the other vehicular mass engulfing my property!

[gohim]

Other other problem with switching to alloy lower front arms from a 944 or 951 would be the fact that you would be installing one of the weak points from the later cars.

The ball joints that are embedded in the lower arms are subject to wear and failure, and there isn't any way to replace them at home. When one goes bad you can't ignore the problem either, because of the real possibility of the spindle coming off the car if the ball joint fails completely.

The only way to fix this problem when it occurs is to buy a "rebuilt" arm, or a new one. That's $300-$800 for each one.

Personally, I am staying with the steel arms. I don't another expensive maintenance headache. I already have the "front of engine service" to empty my pockets on a scheduled basis.

[bcblase]

Considering that my white car came from upstate NY and has seen 20 hard winters, I guess it is surprising the steel control arms are still intact at all. I don't plan to run it in the snow and salt any longer, so the steel arms should last a while longer.
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

[JSilverman]

Just use the steel arms. They are so cheap compared to the aluminum even if you have to replace the steel arms theyll be less expensive.

For shocks, Im a fan of bilstein HDs if youre using stock or midly uprated spring rates. They dont deal with super low cars too well though. If you ever plan on using springs stiffer than 300# Id get Koni yellows as the bilsteins cant handle much more.

Personally i would add the rear sway bar.

[Rasta Monsta]

[gohim]

The normal Heavy Duty Bilsteins shocks and inserts are not designed to be used with lowered cars, or higher rates springs. Bilstein recommends installing Bilstein Sports shocks and springs when going to uprated springs or lowering your car.

The 968 rear swaybar is a nice upgrade if you already have the stock 924S swaybar, as it is larger diameter, AND adjustable.

It also costs about the same as the stock or 951 rear swaybar if you are buying a new one, and don't already have a rear bar.

[924guy]

umm, wait...

late control arms are $250 or more minimum.....
early control arms are $25 or so..
late arms are subject to ball joint failure, requiring replacement at $$$$..
early arms can rust (after many years) and sometimes fail due to bending at the seams (rare.)

solution: use early arms (well say $50 each just to be safe) , have them seam welded for reinforcement at the local welder ($30?) and spray them with a zinc based protectant ($10 a can every five years?) total cost under $150.00 or almost half the cost of ONE late arm, and no conversion headaches, and this is probably a high estimate, plus installation if not DIY project ... and you get reliability and strength , and no changes in suspension geometry to figure out set ups on..
_________________
Eric
78 924
82 931 SE "smokey"
99' VehiCross
Y2K Honda Insight
http://www.cardomain.com/id/924Guy
Performance by Pasha

[JSilverman]

[gohim]

Bilstein may not have a Sport Strut or Insert available now, but they did at one time.

[bcblase]

Thanks to everybody for the advice on the control arms and shocks/struts.

I currently do not have a rear sway bar - what is involved in installing the 968 adjustable bar on a 924S? Do I need to drill or tap any holes, or have anything machined? What kind of cost for the whole kit?

Thx.
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

[Rasta Monsta]

BC, if you try a search (button above) you will find lots of info on this question.
_________________
Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[Smoothie]

-or peruse the first page of the How-To forum. There are at least 2 topics there on the subject, one each by Chrenan and Dutch924-racer.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."


'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox