Hey, folks.

I've been getting a lot done on this 1990 744 Regina car. It's just about ready to daily drive... or at least a whole lot closer. I got the title put into my name today, finally!

Anyway, I just discovered about 10pm last night that I have the fabled Aluminum control arms in this car. I found out because of the accumulation of powdered aluminum on the bottom pair of yellow poly sway/roll bar end link bushings.

I remember hearing only bad things about these, and I also found out that IPD lists a different bushing for the lower portion of the link than it does for the upper part. I can also hear the tires pop/skip enough to screech a tire on my smooth concrete floor when I move from reverse to drive and the other way as well.

The most unsettling part is that when I was trying to finagle the tie rod end link bushings into place last night, I pulled on the top of the end link and was able to *see the control arm cone bushings move* when I pulled only a little bit on the sway bar end link. I could literally stick a sheet of paper into the gap that opened up. I have never seen anything like this even on the old 90 740T I had, which was driven over a 1-mile potholed dirt road playing "dodge the big ones" at least 2 times a day.

Are the Aluminum control arms Bad News, or are they not a big deal? The skip/hop/screech is definitely due to this, but the alignment didn't actually feel bad for the little bit (20 miles?) I drove this. I realize that both front wheels off the ground makes the suspension do weird things, but it is not only noticeable in that compromised position.


Just for grins (and suggestions), these are other things I've done on this car since I got it and what it needs.
Done: Re-soldered EFI relay, replaced battery, timing belt+cam seal (WP done already), IAC replacement, acc belts, Alt Volt regulator, Alt Ground wire (custom made), headlights, tail-lamp lenses, trunk lift shocks, master cylinder +bleed, LF brake caliper rebuild, front brake pads, engine/trans mounts, plugs/wires, oil/filter, air filter, TPS adjust/TB clean, MAP sensor hard plumbing and boots, vac lines, wipers, tires.
Needs: Rear shocks, re-mount rear high-mount brake light, strut rod bushings, sway bar bushings, Un-F*** fuel line/Bosch pump under car (ick), cap/rotor, clean contacts for fuel gauge behind dash, green interior bulbs, adjust driver door handle spring, fix rear trunk solenoid teeth/gears, vacuum/wash carpets, install front license plate+mount, Emissions check, replace main EFI battery terminal, adjust sunroof rear height. Front struts (squish-city), Wash engine bay, rear hood height, Fix/Retrofit AC, window seals, attach RR door trim, get windows/mirrors tinted. 1 hazy headlight lens?

Happy bricking!
Will740turbo