Porsche Track Control Arm Pair (996/986 Front & Rear, 997/987 Rear)

Porsche Suspension Bushings by PowerFlex

Let’s face it, suspension bushings on a Porsche can endure high stress, lateral loads, torsional twist, and thermal cycling, often in harsh conditions with very little maintenance or lubrication. With over 20 years of hands-on experience restoring and upgrading vintage Porsche components, PMB Performance is proud to partner with PowerFlex to address these demands with their modern solutions.

Porsche Track Control Arm Pair (996/986 Front & Rear, 997/987 Rear)

The Porsche Track Control Arm Pair (996/986 Front & Rear, 997/987 Rear) is a high-performance suspension upgrade designed for Porsche 911 (996: 1998-2004), Boxster (986: 1997-2004), and later models like the 911 (997: 2005-2012) and Cayman/Boxster (987: 2005-2012), though it fits only the rear on these newer chassis. Typically offered by brands like Powerflex, this kit features cast control arms pre-fitted with durable polyurethane bushings, replacing the factory rubber ones to reduce flex, enhance longevity, and improve handling precision. It’s engineered for both front and rear use on 996 and 986 models, but rear-only on 997 and 987, providing a “fit and forget” solution with sharper steering response and better suspension stability. Ideal for enthusiasts unwilling to reuse worn arms or replace stock bushings repeatedly, this pair ensures consistent performance under demanding conditions, often backed by a lifetime warranty for added reliability.

The Problem with OEM Bushings

Porsche OEM bushings use a rubber compound—typically 60-70 Shore A hardness—that degrades over time. Age and exposure soften it, dropping stiffness by up to 40% within 5-10 years (depending on climate and use). Many aftermarket rubber bushings are even worse as they hit the market with little or no “anti-ozonates” in the compound. This increases compliance, allowing unwanted suspension movement. For vintage Porsches like 356’s, 911’s, 914’s, or 944’s, worn rubber means sloppy geometry, camber and toe shift under load, leading to uneven tire wear, brake shimmy, and vague steering. PMB’s decades of working on and restoring these cars confirms that bushings can be the primary culprit in that “old car” looseness.

The PowerFlex Solution

PowerFlex bushings tackle this with a proprietary polyurethane compound, formulated at 80-85 Shore A hardness—25-30% stiffer than fresh OEM rubber. Unlike generic urethanes that are prone to squeaking or harshness, PowerFlex tunes the polymer’s damping properties to match rubber’s noise absorption (NVH levels within 5 dB of OEM). The result: tighter control over suspension articulation, caster and camber shifts drop by ~20% under 0.8g cornering loads without sacrificing ride quality.

Even new Porsches can gain from PowerFlex’s design. Factory rubber starts compliant; PowerFlex’s higher stiffness and resistance to deformation (tensile strength ~20 MPa vs. rubber’s ~10 MPa) sharpen response from day one. For vintage restorations, PMB’s experience proves these bushings restore precision lost to decades of wear.

Material & Design Specs

• Polyurethane: 80-85 Shore A, cured to a Tg above 200°F for heat stability.
• Stiffness Gain: 25-30% over new rubber, verified via static load testing.
• Fitment: Modeled from OEM Porsche bushings, tolerances ±0.1mm, no mods needed.
• Options: Street (functional finish) and Heritage (dark grey, OEM-look coating).

Why PowerFlex with PMB?

• Durability: Polyurethane resists ozone and UV cracking—lifespan triples rubber’s.
• Control: Reduces suspension play, cuts tire wear, stabilizes braking.
• Experience: PMB’s 20 years with vintage Porsche 914s, 911s, and 944s ensure fit and function.