Re: [DML] Re: TOBY-TAB update

["Bruce Benson" <delornut@xxxx>]

Clunking can come from a number of places. In addition to isolating the jar
of road imperfections, the rear suspension bushings act as a type of
spherical joint to allow some adjustment as dimension changes result from
the lateral and radius arc movement of the suspension. If these bushings are
begining to display wear or deterioration it could cause clunking. Several
years back there was an article in DeLorean World magazine regarding the
movement of axle bearings in the rear suspension carriers. Apparently some
cars had developed enough slop in the housing to allow, during hard
cornering, a bit of bearing movement back and forth between the tru arc
rings securing them. The suggestion there was to try to inject grease into
the housing around the bearing. Cv joints should not cause a clunk if they
are in good condition. A certain amount of movement back and forth between
the transaxle and the rear carrier is normal. Certainly the DeLorean's rear suspension is a compromise between manufacturing cost and performance and there are better ways to do it like, for example, the Pierce design. A triangular lower traverse link would probably offer better handling than the stock design but that would require changes elsewhere in the way the rear suspension travel is controlled. Cost was begining to be a major factor and the DeLorean wasn't
designed with all out performance in mind anyway. The selling price was
already exceeding it's competition. The window price on a 1982 Corvette was
under $20,000 while the Delorean was over $25,000. All in all, I still feel
a properly maintained original rear suspension system is safe and reliable.

Bruce Benson

> My !#$@#% car has so much clunking from the
> half-axles sliding back and forth that I am constantly >checking the TABs,
but have to fight the tendency to >forget that that noise is there. I've
done the body bolts >several times, secured the tool kits and stuff, >and
replaced rear-end bearings... I removed my original >TABs last year and they
were slightly stretched,
> slightly bent.