[DML] Re: To replace or not to replace...

["Tell you if you ask." <racuti1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Matt,

A lot of this is expressed as opinion so I'll offer mine:

1. A DeLorean owner's favorite saying is "While you're already in 
there...".

2. I am preparing for this exact job and would love to hear "before 
and after" stories when you're done.

3. The bushings are removed with an arbor press. I feel that for the 
low cost, it should be done since the car will already be apart.

4. Most people will tell you that the wheel bearings are sealed so 
you'll never need to replace them. That's totally incorrect in my 
personal experience. If the seals dry out or rupture the bearing 
lubricant dries out or washes away. ALL of my bearings began to howl 
and needed replacement one after the other. Again, these are not 
expensive, nor are they difficult to replace. As Nike says: "Just do 
it". Mine literally fell apart once they were pressed out. They were 
either empty of grease or it was thin and viscous, devoid of any 
lubricating properties.

Really, I'd just do it all. Upper/lower ball joints and bushings and 
shocks. Steering rack if it's sloppy, tie-rod ends for sure.

My handling is horrible. My lower ball joints pop and clunk like an 
arthritic old man on every turn and my shocks make the car float and 
drift like I'm driving a boat. I finally have all the parts gathered 
up and I'm ready to begin. I just need to set a time at my buddy's 
house so I can work in peace and use some of the uncommon tools that 
he has.

I really hope I haven't overlooked anything. Good luck,

Rich A.
#5335

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Matt Spittle" <matthew.spittle@...> 
wrote:
>
> I'm putting my car back together from the frame up, and today I
> removed my old ball joints from the control arms.  Should I replace 
my
> upper/lower control arm bushings?  They look fine to me, no large
> cracks in them, anyway.  Can they be pressed out without destroying
> them?  I'd like to powdercoat the control arms, but I'd definitely
> have to press out the bushings before doing that.  Additionally,
> should I replace my wheel bearings?  They aren't making any noise.  
> 
> Just wondering what's really necessary here and what would be
> excessive (e.g., I'm not replacing my rotors or brake pads because I
> consider those to be frequently replaced items anyway).  
> 
> thanks,
> 
> Matt
> #1604
>








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