[DML] Re: DELOREAN STEERING

["therealdmcvegas" <dmcvegas@xxxxxxx>]

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, John Podlewski <john_podlewski@xxxx> 
wrote:
> Tires rub on front sway bar they are relatively new so are tie rod 
ends also installed new rack and pinion.  Size is correct P195/60R14 
so what gives?????  I do need to get the alignment done but I doubt 
that could be the cause could it?????
<SNIP>

Check your Front Lower Control Arms. See if they're bent at all, or 
if the bend on the rear portion is starting to fold up. When I first 
got my car, they were perfect, but over the course of 40K more miles, 
they have started to bend, and I too am starting to get a slight 
rubbing on my sway bar with stock sized tires installed. I'm guessing 
that this is what's screwing up the caster on my car, and causing the 
same problem.

I've also been told religously by everyone to make sure that if I use 
a tow truck, to make sure that they never attach the tow hooks to the 
LCAs. In towing my DeLorean, watching another owner have his towed, 
and every other vehicle I've had, or seen moved, not once have any of 
these drivers attached hooks to anyting other than the designated 
loops on the chassis.

After seeing this, I seriously doubt that DeLoreans are the constant 
victims of incopetnet tow truck drivers, so much as they are poor 
engineering by Lotus. Just as the metal on the front crumple tubes 
was engineered too thin, and needed to be protected from bending by 
the installation of sway bar brackets, I'd be willing to wager that 
the Lower Control Arms for the front suspention are in the exact same 
boat. Even GM uses 2-piece LCAs on their J-Body cars that are spot 
welded together, and utilize thicker steel than the DeLorean does. 
And those are compact cars.

-Robert
vin 6585 "X"




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/dmcnews 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/

<*> 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/