1986 wishbone/ball joint issues.

[j4mou]

im just having the wishbone issue with my 86 944, failed on both, thought id found some but unfortunatly I faffed too much and missed out, however I have just found these in the states and he says hes happy to post to me, so im just looking for anyone that maybe has had these in the past? would you say going by the statement at the top that I can presume they will fit perfectly?

http://eagleday.stores.yahoo.net/suspension.html

for £85 plus about £20 postage its a cheap option if so.

your thoughts please?

 

[BlackMagic]

Assuming you have the aluminium arms I would suggest the Renbay rebuild kit http://www.rennbay.com/trackperform....html?osCsid=b40709d728c8040ba461e5b6c88c4b94 whcih fits (and works) well. An extra few £'s, given the work of fitting them, is well worth while.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

My thoughts? Most of the well-known indies have said over the years that the DIY kits rely on you being a VERY competant mechanic, and buying a very good kit. The re-conned wishbones from places like Hartech are well-proven, and really aren't that much more expensive. Especially given the peace of mind you get when entering a roundabout at speed! [8|]

 

[j4mou]

im not working at the minute mate so I need to get it sorted as cheap as possible, not usually a word associated with these cars I know but needs must I am afraid.

 

[j4mou]

ORIGINAL: BlackMagic

Assuming you have the aluminium arms I would suggest the Renbay rebuild kit http://www.rennbay.com/trackperformance-ball-joint-kit-p-35.html?osCsid=b40709d728c8040ba461e5b6c88c4b94 whcih fits (and works) well. An extra few £'s, given the work of fitting them, is well worth while.

to me that looks to be the exact same kit but for $60 more mate

 

[pauljmcnulty]

im not working at the minute mate so I need to get it sorted as cheap as possible, not usually a word associated with these cars I know but needs must I am afraid.

Given that you need to add labour, decent alignment, VAT etc. to whichever part you buy, work out the total cost rather than the few quid between the parts prices. Bear in mind that you're no better off if your car fails the MOT next year and you have to start again! [&o]

I do understand, though. Having spent my entire budget for my car's bodywork on the brake refurb, I'm suddenly very aware that the rust is spreading far faster than I'm saving up to treat it!

 

[j4mou]

I have worked it out Paul, its much cheaper mate, the garage that will do the work can do everything and mot the car after ,its an engineering company that specialise in older cars, luckily they are on my doorstep, plus it will be going to them the following year so im happy that it will be ok.

 

[j4mou]

just got the final quote including tracked postage which takes 3 days to get to me (thats faster than some uk companies ffs) $174.95 which comes to £109.25 ish I think thats great given I was quoted £150 for a second had set of wishbones that you have no guarentee will even pass an mot once you have fitted them.

ile be showing the kit to the bloke at the garage to see that hes happy they are ok for him to fit, once confirmed ile order them.

James

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I have worked it out Paul, its much cheaper mate, the garage that will do the work can do everything and mot the car after ,its an engineering company that specialise in older cars, luckily they are on my doorstep, plus it will be going to them the following year so im happy that it will be ok.

Fair enough, I just don't see it being that much different.

Kit is £110, plus labour to fit the kit. Refurbed wishbones from experts are about £150 per side aren't they?

Once you've added in labour for removing and refitting which ever way you go, plus the proper alignment (another couple of hundred), and 20% on top of everything for VAT, the total price can't be that much better?

 

[944 man]

Remember that if they come via DHL/UPS/FedEx that theyll be assessed for duty and VAT with a processing fee on top; adding nearly £50 to the bottom line.

 

[j4mou]

hes already agreed to mark the import value as $20.

 

[bert gear]

British customs value parts at what they think they are worth !

 

[VanhireBoys]

ORIGINAL: j4mou

hes already agreed to mark the import value as $20.

Make sure he takes them out of the boxes as well and just wraps them in newspaper ! Make sure they are marked as second hand... !

I got caught for €112 for stuff I got from the US before []

I know its extra expense to get refurbished arms but this will be offset by the labour involved in getting a mechanic (a good one) to do the work. If the arms are oval shape where the balljoint is pressed in due to wear then the kit will be no good. At least if you spend £300 you know that you have comeback... Ive heard horror stories of failed bottom balljoints and then having to get a new front wing... Safer off too in fairness.. Maybe thats just me !

 

[944 man]

They certainly have the option to, if they dont believe the invoice.

Do you do a balljoint Bert?


Simon

 

[bert gear]

sorry no, i would recomend Hartech

 

[944 man]

Ive recommended Hartech already and Buttercup doesnt have any good used ones, either.

Another option, this being a 1986 model year car, is to fit pressed steel arms from a series one 944 / Mk1 Golf.

 

[Jonny944CS]

+1 for Hartech. Their solution is robust, well engineered and includes new bonded bushes and crack checking.

I tried the US kits first, and found them to be poor-to-middling in both quality and design - I also got stung on the duty.
* Also, depending on how worn the joints are, it is possible the pivot ball has damaged the machined bore. In extreme cases this can render the re-build kits useless, as the plastic bushings no longer have a suitable seating surface. *

 

[944 man]

Ive explained this to James.

 

[j4mou]

@ £400 plus Hartech is not an option for me unfortunatly.

 

[944 man]

Theyre certainly not a budget option, but fitting steel arms is. American re-build kits are frequently not of good enough quality and theres no guarantee that they can even be fitted.

On the other hand - Golf Mk1 arms will certainly fit and be within budget too.