DeutschepartsUSA
 

I've been visiting with Deutcheparts USA via eBay and they've been very responsive to my issue about the torn bushings on the drop links I purchased from them a year ago.

In fact, they've stated they will replace mine at no charge. I've yet to receive the replacements, but they've been quite good about communication so I am confident I will see them soon.

I'll return to this thread to report back on the receipt.

They must have had a bad batch of parts last year. These are OEM parts and not cheap knock offs.

That company sounds like one somebody posted a warning about here or on RennTech. Hope not!

I bought some window switches from them last year (for my old 968). They were not OEM, but were cheap knock-off. As a matter of fact, one of the switches was defective and I had to rewire it myself. They offered to swap it out, but it was easier for me to do it versus returning in and waiting for the replacement.

They have had some bad press here on 986forum.com and other web sites, but they're being good to me so I thought I'd at least give them some credit where it is due.

Same here, bought an ignition switch from them... was definitely faulty, did not work, right off the bat... paid to ship it back to them, never got a refund or anything... wasted money on buying it plus shipping, wasted extra money on shipping it back.... never got a refund, plus lost the product... :mad:

I emailed them about my drop links and they didn't respond. I need to replace them but don't feel to confident in there parts. looking for other options

Today I received two free replacement drop links. Asked for four, but I'm happy to get what I did from them. I'll definitely put these on the front where I'm hearing the most racket.

They are not OEM but made by Hamburg Technic Germany, by the way.

I'll report back on how long they last.

DeutchePartsUSA did follow through though (with two pieces). I gotta give them that. And after their warranty expired as well.

Hamburg Technic is DeutscheParts' "house brand." As far as I could tell, HamburgTechnic has an address in Germany, but there is no clear evidence that they actually make any parts there. The water pump that I bought from them earlier this year was advertised on Ebay as "OEM supplier", but when I saw the HamburgTechnic name I called BS on that. It was clearly a knockoff of the OEM pump. Fortunately, I did not attempt to install said pump, but returned it (un-used in original packaging) for a refund per their terms of sale. At least with the genuine Porsche pump from Sunset, I know what I'm getting...

How do you know you have worn out drop links? Do they exhibit noise over bumps or something like that?

That's a very good question.

A visual inspection showing cracks in the black rubber bushings at the top or bottom shows a need for replacement.

Another way you know they might be shot is the fact that when you go over bumps, you'll hear a clunk or noise coming from the loose travel in the stabilizer bar. It runs parallel to the axles and by way of the drop links, it attaches to the wheel carrier.

I have quite a bit of racket coming from the front when I brake and the suspension compresses, the rear when I go over speed bumps or through small potholes or cracks in the pavement, etc.

BTW, these are very easy to replace. Jack up the front or rear of the car, remove the wheels, remove two bolts (requires two wrenches to get to both sides of the bolt and nut), yank out the old, install the new, put the tires back on, torque them to 96 foot pounds, drop the car, and do the other end of the car. Shouldn't take more than an hour if you have all the right tools for the job.

Thanks! Because I was just about to ask for this! I ordered rear links from them this spring and had them installed (1.5 hours of labor.) I need to do the fronts now, but if I can do it myself, then I will. I think this seller is ok so far. I guess we'll see how long my links last. I was very close to opting for Tarett's but stuck with stock.

Thanks Randall. Well, I guess I'll wait till those noises pop up. Thx. for the detail on the swap out.