Re: [DML] New DeLorean Parts (TAB's specifically)

["tmpintnl" <tobyp@xxxx>]

Martin and List - I appreciate the contributions that DMC Joe has made 
to the support for the DeLorean. However, if the "quote" below is 
true, I must disagree. I have personally changed many bolts that were 
bent (and broken) on cars that had been properly maintained in terms 
of the TAB's. My car, for instance, got a good visual check and 
torque check at every tech session (2 ~ 3 times per year). Mine broke 
'out of the blue' at one of those tech sessions. Perhaps you and DMC 
Joe can review some of my thesis on the topic. You will find that the 
OEM TAB's are most likely yielding a little every time they are loaded 
up during driving. The "little yields" accumulate into a situation 
where the bolt actually stretches. This cycle will repeat every time 
the bolt is tightened, until the material reaches it's elastic limit. 
When the material enters the plastic range (a technical term), the 
bolt is in the process of failing in bending or ductile fracture. The 
OEM bolts will also succumb to corrosion if the yielding doesn't get 
them first. I will remind you that 1/3 of those responding to the 
poll said that they had experienced bolt bending. I cannot believee 
that that many cars are improperly maintained. Of course, the 1/3 
that said they didn't know, and didn't care, are the ones that concern 
me. Ignorance is not always bliss.

Toby Peterson VIN 2248
Winged1 



--- In dmcnews@xxxx, Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxx> wrote:

> 
> >*Toby-tabs. Very much needed. Why didn't one or two of the vendors 
come up and say, Hey we're interested in your project. Maybe they did, 
but the DML hasn't heard of it.
> >
> DMC Joe did state categorically that the only time he'd known of a 
bolt bending or breaking was when it hadn't been kept torqued. 
Noticing the massive difference in the handling of my D when I torqued 
mine properly has lead me to think that I'll just take that 5-minute 
job on when I can use the 4-poster ramp at the garage (most Saturdays)