Re: [DML] Trailing Arm Bolt Concerns

[senatorpack@xxxx]

In a message dated 11/05/2001 10:48:28 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
tobyp@xxxx writes:

<< After I explained where the bolt was 
installed, and what it did, the lab technician asked me a very simple 
question ... "Why did they use such a crappy bolt for this critical 
function?" Good question. >>


The chassis is really disappointing. Especially when compounded with rust 
issues, frame distortion, epoxy problems, and the inauspicious trailing arm 
bolts.
The December 1981 Motor Trend Magazine article has a separate analysis of 
the chassis technical limitations and impressions of the DeLorean steel 
backbone.
The poor engine placement in the backbone, flexing of a brittle chassis, 
old age, stress from cornering, bumps in the roadways, heat from exhaust, the 
engine weight is far too much load & stress for the rear suspension, 
especially the radius arm bolts.


"...because the engine is too wide to fit into the aft V, it is mounted 
behind the axle, with the transmission positioned ahead of the axle. The 
engine location gives the car its most undesirable characteristics: a high 
rear-bias weight distribution (35/65), and a very high polar moment of 
inertia."

The DMC engineer's idea was to incorporate larger tires in the rear than 
the front to help stabilize the car.

"One other engineering problem with the DeLorean is the rear axle 
locating system. The Trailing links angle toward the centerline of the 
chassis and allow the wheels to change toe-in (or toe-out) as a function of 
body roll. This causes the rear wheels to steer their end of the car during 
the transition from straight line to cornering, a handling trait that is 
something less than endearing."

So, those tiny little radius arm bolts actually serve a multitude of 
functions. One tiny hairline crack in one of those bolts, along with the 
right bump in the road and it's time to call your insurance agent.