TA Bolt Failure Experience

["DMC Joe" <dmcjoe@xxxx>]

Les,

I have personal experience with a trailing arm bolt failure. Several years
ago I was driving a customers DeLorean from their home to our shop. I was
driving on a four lane road at approximately 55 MPH and prepared for a
normal stop at an oncoming stop light. Shortly after I applied the brakes I
heard a loud pop and felt a slight shift from the rear of the car. My first
thought was that the right rear trailing arm bolt had broken. I accelerated
slowly after the light change and slightly taped the brakes, sure enough the
rear end shifted to the right and I was sure that the trailing arm was no
longer attached to the frame. Fortunately the traffic was light and I was
able to pull off the highway onto a side street and gradually taped the
brakes until I came to safe stop.

On the other hand a panic stop at speed could have resulted in a very
unpleasant experience.

Happy Thanksgiving,
DMC Joe
DeLorean Help dmchelp@xxxx
www.dmc.tv
----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Huckins" <jhuckins@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 2:27 AM
Subject: [DML] Toby


> I still say, enough on the bolts, unless there is some firsthand failure
> information that someone can pass along, someone who actually
> experienced a failure, while in motion.
>