[DML] The Trailing Arm Bolt Saga

["artbywarren" <artbywarren@xxxxxxxxx>]

I happened to see some discussion on the subject of TAB's within the 
last couple of days, and I'd like to pose my own questions about them.
First And Foremost!.. when I give these examples, I'm only relaying 
facts. I am not saying anything good or bad about the people involved 
or the advice they gave me. Again, I'm only relaying what happened. 

OK... herewego..

When the car was in Rob Grady's possession in 2002, he noted in his 
file that "the rear trailing arm bolts were bent" but unfortunatly, 
they were not replaced before the car was returned (previous owner's 
fault, not Rob's). Well, when I got the paperwork for myself from PJ 
Grady's during the "Do I wanna buy this car?" stage of the game, I 
saw that and it worried me.. a lot! Since then, though, we've had so 
many things go wrong with the car that we've forgotten about the 
TAB's, believe it or not.  So far we've:

Fixed a hole that had corroded through the engine block.

Gotten the fuel contamination problem taken care of (all that 
entails).

Had the Transmission serviced (It was shifting so hard that it 
actually busted the trans. mounts, one of which was already cracked) 
Still shifts somewhat hard, but half the people tell me  "Aw! It's 
GOOD for it! That's the way it's supposed to be!"  then the other 
half say  "Woah-ho! Kinda harsh shift! better rebuild 'er!" ..then 
half the people tell me "Why replace the CPU govener? The hardness is 
vaccuum controlled. The CPU only controls WHEN it shifts!" ..then 
more people tell me  "Replace the CPU govener, it'll smooth out the 
hard shift." 

Anyway...

Had a coolant pipe repaired after the steering column actually rubbed 
a hole in it somehow.

Drivers side window motor regulator replaced, the classic steering 
bushing at the firewall, thermal time switch, starting coil, exhaust 
leak (right side), tires, brakes & rotors, 2 batteries (in a year), 
ect..

LOL! No, I'm not ragging on my car, I love her. I'm just surprised at 
the stuff I've had to do. OK, anyway.. the BOLTS!:

Once it came time, I bought a set of the mid-grade ones (Not the 
TOBY's but the next rung down) to have them put in. Well, when I took 
it to the clinic (side note: when I say "the Clinic", I am referring 
to a local shop called the Sports Car Clinic that I had never heard 
of until 2 other DeLorean owners in my "area" highly reccommended 
them, and with good reason) ..when I took it to them, I was hopping 
up and down about these bolts... 

but when they located the bolts, they were like "Uh.. there's nothing 
wrong with them." ..

bear in mind.. PERFECT chance to make some money on the labor... why 
should they care? ..nope.  

I asked them point blank  "OK.. you're looking at the TRAILING ARM 
BOLTS, correct?" ... "Yes, sir, Mark, the owner, has a good deal of 
experience with the DMC, both in the early 80's when they first came 
out, and through the years. The bolts are fine, sir. Your vehicle is 
safe."  Baffled, I asked Rob. He seemed concerned, but sort of middle-
of-the-road about it all. He replied: "Eh.. it's your call, they may 
have only been slightly bent"  which did make me feel better, as Rob 
always does.

This all took place in the last months of 2003. Nowadays, the car is, 
naturally, running very well, and she purrs happily at her new home. 
Recently, however, I am getting a sort of a "thump" coming from about 
the middle of the car when driving on very curvy roads. 

Rear Wheel bearings? ... Something loose in the trunk?  ...or  
Trailing arm bolts so bent that something's knocking? (hey! That was 
suggested!)

Again, what do to?  The clinic checked again under the car last week. 
The report? It still has very little rust (what it does have is 
surface rust which I will be taking care of) and again:  "Sirrr!  The 
bolts are FINE!"

I know most of you are going to say "Well, you bought 'em! just 
replace them anyway!"  but I'm not entirely sure I trust anyone but 
Rob to do this, and I can't send him my car right now. ..but I need 
to drive her because of the history of fuel problems!

Are these noises just the body moans of a 21 year old car? Am I going 
to be driving my car one day and the bolts give out and I crash and 
possibly die?  ..Do some bolts just not bend depending on what has 
happened in the life of the individual automobile?.. 

I'm so tired of bothering Rob, John Hervey, and Warren at DMC Houston 
with these questions from an obvious amateur.. Can someone shine some 
light for me?

Much Appreciated.

Warren and Heather
Vin# 0809










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