ThankyouOriginally Posted by David T
Posts: 1,250
Thankyou
Posts: 1,250
Has anybody replaced the tabs with 1/2"? Slightly stronger, more available, but not sure if it will fit in the holes. (Maybe could ream them out)
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,581
My VIN: 10757 1st place Concourse 1998
They won't fit through the sleeves in the bushings and if you try to modify or force them through you will destroy the bushings. Over in Lotus, some owners have been trying to use Heim joints in place of the TAB's. The motion is not a pure up-and-down motion in a single plane. The compliance of the rubber allows for the slight movement in an arc. The rubber also provides some isolation from the road, preventing some of the road vibrations from reaching the frame. This was a very engineered joint and unless you know what you are doing, you should not attempt to modify it. If you have any doubts about the integrity of your TAB's, you should order new ones from your favorite Delorean vendor. Ordinary hardware is not strong enough for this joint.
David Teitelbaum
Location: Orlando, Florida
Posts: 2,734
My VIN: 01643
Club(s): (DCF) (DCO) (DCUK)
I have not, but I know of at least a couple owners that have. The sleeve is very tight so you have to run a 1/2" drill through your trailing arms. Once you do it, there's no going back without replacing your trailing arms.
I disagree about 1/2" being more available. A pair of 1/2" grade 9 bolts is no more and no less available than a pair of class 12.9 M12 bolt. Neither are going to be available at an ACE Hardware, but a few clicks at Fastenal, Bolt depot, or McMasterCarr, and either will be at your door step for $5-$10.
Posts: 1,250
I suppose anything is available online, but my local Fastenal has 1/2" instock. (Not M12)
On another note, what is the grade of the stock tabs? I notice two of the Delorean venders offer the bolts, but don't say what grade. I suppose the original bolts were of poor quality, but I wouldn't want any less than grade 8 in there. Would be kind of nice to have "double shear" in that location.
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,440
My VIN: 11408
Club(s): (DMWC) (TXDMC) (DCUK) (DOI)
Refer back to Nicks post for grading. Stock TABs are class 8.8. Metric is designated by classes, not grades.
I also think it is not worth the effort trying to force a 1/2" bolt in there. Perhaps its the American way though.
I do agree they should be double sheer but that would require some modifications to the frame and make bolt replacement very hard.
Supercharged 5.3L LS4 + Porsche 6spd
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lsdelorean.com
I am not affiliated with Delorean Midwest in anyway.
Location: Boston
Posts: 82
My VIN: 02260
Club(s): (DMA)
I had my mechanic just replace the TAB and nothing else, unless there was an issue. So far the OEM bushing and hardware look great and it's just the TAB being replaced. I agree that opening that can of worms is not great, but I like having the hardware on hand just in case.
Posts: 1,250
So where did you get inconel bolts?
Location: Boston
Posts: 82
My VIN: 02260
Club(s): (DMA)
DMC - Midwest. Their phone number is (815) 459-6439 if you want a set.
Posts: 1,250
Did they say the bolts were inconel? I notice it doesn't say that on their site.
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