Fitting Porsche Brakes to a 1302

[yetibone]

Thanks for the link Mike. I've contacted them and just heard back today.
The closest fit I could find for those ball joints are ones for a Dodge Omni (EEK!):toilet:



Oh... yeah, I also found out that the spindles and hubs we are using are from an '86 944, not an '87 like I thought before (I've honestly never dealt with any Porsche parts before other than working on a '76 914 2.0, so I didn't know) The brake rotors bolt on the back of the hubs we are using. I don't think this should cause any problem though.

[piledriver]

Hate to ressurect a long dead thread, but I'm just getting into the upgrade fresh after stumbling onto a dead early 944...

The Omni was just a literally slightly scaled up copy of a VW Golf, so I don't see an issue using teh ball joints if they fit, they likely came from the same factory.
(Many parts are actually interchangeable, the early Omnis even had had 1700cc VW engines in them)

The Mk1 Golf ball joints appear like they could be easily turned on a lathe for a press fit, but if the Omni ones work dimensionally, they may very well be precisely what Kerscher is selling for ~$80 a pop. (For a $12 item available at any FLAPS)
I will be checking them out.

I'm also curious if a Golf strut would work...

The rear Golf springs are about right, and rear Porsche 914 springs as well for use with the 944 struts.

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Pile,

Keep us posted on your Omni excursion.. I may need another set of kersher balljoints and would hate to find out I was paying way too much..

VR
ALex

[piledriver]

Anyone have the OD for the stock 1303 ball joint handy?
(and perhaps the length of the late arm)

The ~1980 version of the Omni BJ looks close... As does a Chrysler minivan.
Same style as the 1303s, but retained with a snap ring.

I'm wondering if I could stick them in some Chromemoly plate and weld to the existing 1302 arm, wrap around style.
Not looking at one at the moment, not sure if that's even practical, but would be able to set the width a little longer to cure any positive camber issue.

A extended/welded early steel (forged?) arm could almost certainly be stronger than the stamped steel 1303 arms, and could be easily designed to take the common Omni or perhaps minivan BJ.

Another possibility is add just a tab of CrMo and bolt on a Golf/944 BJ, seems to be more common and cheaper, same basic concept, depends on dimensions,.
Saves having to buy a late sway bar, too.

The bit of steel I'm visualizing would only cost a few bucks. Have a good welder handy, and the 1302 arms will be no loss if I have to use the 1303s.
Have a spare set anyway...

[evilC]

I changed the bottom arm of my 1303 to a fabricated one with a platform for a standard 944 bottom ball joint that are bolt on not press in (thats a BIG plus in my book). I then was able to use the 944 struts complete with spindle, brakes etc. The advantages of the standard 944 ball joint are that they are off the shelf and are very easy to change.
On reflection I should have used a Heim joint with a fabricated pin to fix into the bottom of the spindle carrier that would have allowed greater camber adjustment. that will now have to wait for the A arms that I intend to fabricate.

evilC

[Simon]

Originally Posted by evilC

On reflection I should have used a Heim joint with a fabricated pin to fix into the bottom of the spindle carrier that would have allowed greater camber adjustment. that will now have to wait for the A arms that I intend to fabricate.

Interesting point!
Are you sure a heim joint can handle such a large axial load?
Aren't there any high angle ball joints available that would fit?

[piledriver]

Still have the overall dimensions for that fabricated arm?
I'm chafing to get on this.

The high angle ball joints I have seem have a very short service life.

I went up and looked again at the 1302--- I see no reason an extension of the existing arms wouldn't work.

The 944 and a Mk1 Golf use the same ball joint AFAIK. That would be the easiest way.

FWIW---

Found a mid-year 944 yesterday at Pick-N-Pull (or mabe it's U-Pull it...) in Garland, Texas yesterday.

Mid year model, steel brakes, but aluminum rear arms.
Had a small fire under the hood (really), silly thing looks easily repairable at first glance.

Seems essentially complete other than the wheels. Still has 1 phone dial on it.

[evilC]

Originally Posted by $aint

Interesting point!
Are you sure a heim joint can handle such a large axial load?
Aren't there any high angle ball joints available that would fit?

We are talking normal formula race car detailing here and the loads on a beetle front suspension are infinitely smaller. when was the last time that a beetle managed a 3G lateral load??????

evilC