When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have had a short discussion with Charlie of Wrightwood Racing, the maker of Charlie Arms, via email regarding running another batch of Charlie Arms. This is in a very early stage, but in order to take this possibility any further there needs to be enough volume to justify the set up and work. If there is in the range of 15-20 people interested, he is willing to discuss further. There is no guarantee, but in order to further run the numbers he need to make sure there is potential.
That said, if you are truly interested, comment below. Please only express interest if you would seriously follow through. I understand it is hard to do so without a price but I would expect them to be priced in the same ballpark as in the past, i.e. more than competition. They were not cheap 15+ years ago but there is not a better arm out there (in my opinion).
I am not sure if early/late offset or pin diameter matter at this point. I just need a number to report back to him.
As far as the need to upgrade your control arms, I don't intend for this is to turn into a discussion around that. There are several good threads around this topic. But to put it briefly: the ball joints on factory arms have been known to fail on aggressively lowered cars and that are driven hard. Often track cars. Consequently, many consider it a necessary maintenance item. With these cars being 30+ years old and possibly original arms and ball joints worn/stressed for that long, replacement (or at minimum inspection) is a must, regardless of ride height and driving style.
Charlie arms were widely considered to be among the best arms available in the past (hopefully others can comment and attest to it). Production was very limited and sought after, with the last batch around 2006.
For full disclosure, alternatives include:
Rennbay ball joint rebuild kit: $185 (for both ball joints) Eagleday.com: $480 (per rebuilt arms) *on sale for $340 as of 10/8/2019 944 arms (limited availability new): $668 (per arm) new from Paragon, ~$100 - $300 per arm used and likely to need rebuilt. 968 arms: $840 - $990 (per arm) new, susceptible to the same ball joint failure seen on 944 arms. technically not rebuildable. High Strung 44, adjustable/non-adjustable: $1350/$1150 Racers Edge, Geometry Correcting: $1595 (per set) Racers Edge, Billet: $1651 (per set) from Paragon Lindsey Racing (look to be Racers Edge Billet arms): $1746 (per set) Fabcar: $1900 (per set) from OG Racing Charlie arms: price pending
*prices are for late offset. Early offset had replaceable ball joints.
If anyone has anything to add/correct, please do. This is the info I have to the best of my knowledge.
$1150 for a pair of arms, including US shipping, and have the option to run early 944 ball joints from $10.50 per ball joint for aftermarket or $73.25 per ball joint for genuine Porsche (current Pelican pricing).
$1150 for a pair of arms, including US shipping, and have the option to run early 944 ball joints from $10.50 per ball joint for aftermarket or $73.25 per ball joint for genuine Porsche (current Pelican pricing).
$1150 for a pair of arms, including US shipping, and have the option to run early 944 ball joints from $10.50 per ball joint for aftermarket or $73.25 per ball joint for genuine Porsche (current Pelican pricing).
I(and a bunch of local sp2 racers) run these arms. Beautifully built and Andy is the best to deal with!!!
I've had my Charlie arms since 2004 or so. No issues with them and I drive the car hard on the track. Haven't had to replace any of the bearings or the 'ball joint'.
Back then they were ~$2,000 for a pair, and IMHO, worth the $$ if you track your car frequently.
I've had my Charlie arms since 2004 or so. No issues with them and I drive the car hard on the track. Haven't had to replace any of the bearings or the 'ball joint'.
Back then they were ~$2,000 for a pair, and IMHO, worth the $$ if you track your car frequently.
Thats good to hear. My only concern with fitting Charlie arms would be after sales support. For example what happens if you need parts or a replacement arm? When they stopped production years ago how did purchasers who bought their arms back then obtain parts and replacements?
Thats good to hear. My only concern with fitting Charlie arms would be after sales support. For example what happens if you need parts or a replacement arm? When they stopped production years ago how did purchasers who bought their arms back then obtain parts and replacements?
Last time I checked, Wrightwood still sells parts for the Charlie arms (bearings, pins, etc). But that was a few years ago; I would imagine this would still be the case if he decided to make another run of the arms.
Last time I checked, Wrightwood still sells parts for the Charlie arms (bearings, pins, etc). But that was a few years ago; I would imagine this would still be the case if he decided to make another run of the arms.
Really, that has definitely not been the case in the past, they never used to deal with the public or retail any parts, instead referring users to one of their dealers.
Really, that has definitely not been the case in the past, they never used to deal with the public or retail any parts, instead referring users to one of their dealers.
I'm friends with JustinL, we go to the track together. Getting parts for those Charlie arms was a huge pain for him, not sure he ever ended up finding any, he's now running high strung 944 arms like me.
I'm friends with JustinL, we go to the track together. Getting parts for those Charlie arms was a huge pain for him, not sure he ever ended up finding any, he's now running high strung 944 arms like me.
Yes that’s also what I heard in my circle and on the forums.
10-04-2019, 04:23 PM
Charlie Arms Back in Production (POSSIBLY)
