As much as I have spent so far on R&D of the new drive and being almost twice the size in body and gears and the MTBF I feel it should be a very very good unit. The factory has studied the Smith new one and defective one and also had the same problems that you are talking about. Maybe if I can get the final number and price tied down the " John Drive " won't go the way of just having to accept standing Sta'tus quo'. John Hervey www.specialtauto.com Trying to build better parts. -----Original Message----- From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of content22207 Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 8:59 PM To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [DML] Angle Drive The gear teeth in a Smith's Industries drive are very small and do not mesh deeply at all. Combined with the natural tendency to bind because they are rotating into each other, it is a recipe for failure. The brass bushing that holds the spindle gear is also liable to wear oblong, further exacerbating alignment problems (usually on the vertical axis). Altogether it is a very unfortunate design. Every time angle drive deficiencies are mentioned, some owner pipes up with a "my angle drive is fine after 500,000 miles" story, as if that one instance is supposed to invalidate the legions of owners who have suffered repeated angle drive failures. Shear numbers speak louder. The vast majority of DeLorean owners have suffered angle drive failures, usually multiple times. It is a badly designed part that suffers premature failure -- period. Bill Robertson #5939 [moderator snip] ------------------------------------ To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:dmcnews-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:dmcnews-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/