Re: [DML] Re: Ball joints

["Tom Niemczewski" <tomciodmc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

David

I do not know for sure where the ball joints came from as I got them with 
the car. I just installed them without thinking that they are not the 
correct ones. My mistake I guess... There were installed correctly, but they 
were a cross reference parts. I later found out that there is a number 
stamped on them that matches a number in a parts cross reference that can be 
found on the internet. When I looked at the broken joint closely it's pretty 
clear the it was NOT designed to carry the weight of the car. In case of the 
DeLorean they actually do that, they carry the weight of the front of the 
car. The ball joint that failed was Moog KF-33 and the reference also list a 
number: K-9025. Those parts are WRONG!! They are not designed to carry the 
weight and will fail under load.
You are right, both of my lower ball joints are the same and I am not 
driving the car. I will replace both of them and I will get the right ones 
this time. Unfortunately you are right about checking the control arm... I 
checked it and it is in fact bent. It happened before the winter and I'm not 
driving the car since. I need to replace the lower control arm because it is 
not repairable. What's even worst.. it seems that the frame itself has 
sustained some damage right where the control arm is attached to it.
BTW, the joint failed while driving fairly slow but going straight - no 
turns.
I'm waiting for the weather to improve as we again have snow coming our 
way... this endless winter is killing me :)

Tom Niemczewski
vin 6149 (in Poland!)
Google earth:  52°25'17"N 21°1'59"E
tomciodmc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.deloreana.com

for the future searches....
cross reference lower ball joint replacement moog KF-33 or K-9025
WARNING
Even though the part will fit it is not designed for the forces encountered 
in the DeLorean and it will fail!


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Teitelbaum" <jtrealty@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, 06 March, 2006 7:07 PM
Subject: [DML] Re: Ball joints


>A catastrophic failure of ANY suspension component is a serious
> matter.
> My guess is
> that you did not get the ball joint from a Delorean vendor. Can you
> figure out where you did get it and the part #'s and manufacturer so
> we can warn others? If in fact this is the case you might consider
> replacing the other lower joint. Carefully check the lower control arm
> to be sure you did not bend it.
> David Teitelbaum
> vin 10757
>
>
> --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Tom Niemczewski" <tomciodmc@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hello
>>
>> I feel that I need to tell you about my experience with the lower ball
>> joint. It failed on my car without warning and it was only about
> 5000 miles
>> old. When I bought my car I replaced all the safety related parts
> just to
>> make sure the car is in fact safe. Lower and upper ball joints were
> among a
>> bunch of other things that were replaced. I don't drive like a
> maniac so I 






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