Re: Hydraulic Doors on DeLorean?

["jtrealty@xxxx " <jtrealty@xxxx>]

I suspect you are correct about the added weight but I also believe 
age and "spring set" has something to do with it. A quick check for 
the need for a torsion bar adjustment, prop the door open and remove 
the strut. Lower the door, it should remain open approx 2-5 inches 
measured lip of door to sill. As far as improving on the door system I 
think if you have a PROPERLY adjusted door, door guides, a recent 
strut and a lockzilla you will have a hard time improving on the 
system. The Bricklins with the hydralic doors were mostly refitted to 
the pnuematic system which includes new front and rear bumpers(the air 
tanks are inside them). The air was supplied by a compressor running 
off engine vacum. If the car sat too long and lost air pressure the 
doors wouldn't open. The fittings and valving are "Mickey Mouse" to be 
kind and have many sources of leaks. The torsion bar on the Deloreans 
doesn't loose any power by "sitting" for extended periods of time. 
IMHO the torsion bar system is very elegant from an engineering point 
of view being simple, well balanced and innovative like the front 
suspensions of the 60's-70's Chryslers. It is also very compact and 
unobtrusive. The only downside I can think of is the inherent danger 
of the great amount of energy in the system. Without proper 
precautions and tools there is a danger to anyone not familiar with 
the torsion bars to hurt themselves. NEVER SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF THE 
TORSION BARS and only work on them if you have the correct tools and 
have seen the procedures done.
I can think of one possible improvement, a temperature compensating 
strut, they have them for other applications and shock absorbers so I 
am sure they could improve the strut to include this.HOW ABOUT IT 
JAMES? Also a nice sticker to place on the torsion bar warning about 
the danger and not to scratch it. 

David Teitelbaum
vin 10757

n dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx, Mike Substelny <msubstel@xxxx> wrote:
> I agree that the DeLorean door design is excellent as it is. 
Hydraulics or
> pneumatics would not be an improvement.
> 
> Often DeLoreans with chronic drooping doors need a torsion bar 
adjustment.
> 
> Remember, many cars have had door guides, stronger window actuators, 
beefier lock
> solenoids, and other parts added to their doors since they left the 
factory.
> These added weight, and without a torsion bar adjustment it will 
automatically
> cause the doors to droop. My personal suspicion is that many 
DeLoreans have had
> their doors modified without an appropriate torsion bars adjustment 
to accomodate
> the extra weight.
> 
> I know that mine is one of them.
> 
> - Mike Substelny
> VIN 1280, 7 years, slight droop on cold days