Control Arm Question

[toddwess]

My Porsche dealer says the control arm needs to be replaced. What is it, and what does it do? Is it something that can be put off?

Also he is replacing the whole ignition and the key-fob. Hopefully this will solve the key issue! :)

Todd

[986Jim]

Is it the suspension control arm or an arm off the steering column? Your post talks about the ignition key so I'm confused. If your talking about control arm of the suspension here is some basic info...

The reason you need to change your control arm is that is houses a ball joint that is gone. To replace that ball joint you must replace the whole control arm as it's all one piece.

The control arm is the lower part in blue attaches to the hub which is also in blue. This is not boxster specific but will give you an idea of what it is. It's basically the lower piece of the suspension that holds it all together and moves with the car. The ball joints are the moving parts that allows the suspension system to move but not fall appart.

If the ball joints break out of the control arms you wheels are free from the suspension. On the front of the car this can cause a wheel to turn on it's own while the other is not turned like the picture below. On the rear it will wobble like a *****.

Do yourself a favour and get it fixed before that ball joint breaks. Cause usually it smokes the fender when the suspension drops on the wheel and the wheel turns taking out the fender as well as the bumper hitting the ground etc... Not sure exactly what would happen on the rear of a boxster but it still wouldn't be pretty.

This is a talon:

On this particular car it was on the front (it's AWD) and it pulled the drive shaft outta the tranny tearing the boot and allowing it to flop around like a fish outta water. You can see the round end on the control arm that's got nothing attached to it and the brakes hanging way out there.. That's a problem.

Edited March 25, 2006 by 986Jim

[toddwess]

986Jim this is some great info!!! THanks so much for your efforts to put it up here.

Yep, it's the one in blue. I am going to go ahead and get it fixed this week, if I can scrounge up the money.

Thanks again!

Todd