Well this was scary. .......

[88KPH]

Whilst driving my D tonight.
Luckily at low speed but pretty worrying. ........

39662

[Domi]

Yeah pretty scary, you were lucky on this one!
More damage could occur at higher speed...

[Mario]

What's the cause? How is it prevented?

[bytes311]

What's the cause? How is it prevented?

DMCH sells a front end recall kit: http://store.delorean.com/p-10229-front-end-recall-kit.aspx

[Mark D]

Looks like the hardware that holds the anti roll bar to the crumple tube worked itself loose. The bushings and bracket are aftermarket in this case so it's not a factory issue that most DeLorean owners would have to worry about.

It might be worth checking the torque on these bolts if you've installed afermarket bushings or if you're planning on upgrading to these bushings in the future to add a drop of loctite when installing the bolts.

[DavidProehl]

What's the cause? How is it prevented?

From the photo it looks like one of the bolts worked its way out. I would expect this is very rare if the bolts are sufficiently torqued and not the kind of thing most of us would need to worry about.

[DavidProehl]

Wow! 3 of us posting the same minute? Is that a DMCTalk first?

[Mark D]

Wow! 3 of us posting the same minute? Is that a DMCTalk first?

Yeah that's strange considering all of our replies were an hour after the original post.

[bytes311]

Yeah that's strange considering all of our replies were an hour after the original post.

Great minds think alike... at the same time.

[Riley88]

that is scary! brb going to go check mine! My cars steering has been getting bad. I need to find a way to tighten up the front end. I will probably have to replace the steering rack or see what I can do

[Josh]

I had my sway bar break in half from a pot hole, 100mi from home. I would not use the brakes as it would put torque on the LCA and make the tire hit the rear of the wheel well. Very fun!

[88KPH]

I replaced bushes last year. Remaining 3 were all tight. So possibly my fault and forgot to torque that one. Anyhow worth people checking and i shall be using lock.tight stuff when I go back over it.
All sorted in my fully equipped, state of the art garage. ......

39664

[88KPH]

I replaced bushes last year. Remaining 3 were all tight. So possibly my fault and forgot to torque that one. Anyhow worth people checking and i shall be using lock.tight stuff when I go back over it.
All sorted in my fully equipped, state of the art garage. ......

39664

[dn010]

I'm not sure if it is because I have very early frame (#308 ) or because others have messed with those bolts on my frame in the past - but a few of the welded on nuts for these bolts seemed "stripped" and did not hold the bolt tight. I had to use a longer bolt and use a second nut on the top of the first one in my case.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I replaced bushes last year. Remaining 3 were all tight. So possibly my fault and forgot to torque that one. Anyhow worth people checking and i shall be using lock.tight stuff when I go back over it.
All sorted in my fully equipped, state of the art garage. ......

39664

That's what I was thinking (forgot one bolt to tighten). It happens to the best of us. I don't think it's necessary to use locktight.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

Whilst driving my D tonight.
Luckily at low speed but pretty worrying. ........

39662

I'm not a fan of the aftermarket stabilizer clamps I've seen because they're weaker than the later (#109269 recall supplied) factory clamps. They also don't seem to properly lock the bushings in place and rely on a washer against the stab. bar nub to keep them in but have nothing on the outer side to lock them in place. The factory bushings have radiused edges for this purpose. As has been noted you need the recall stiffener plates as well. We stock the recall kit but use stainless reinforcement plates instead of steel as they won't rust and cost less than the factory parts. The mtg threads in the frame strip easily so you should inspect them carefully before reassembly. Torque them to 25 Ft lb's and use new lock washers and red "loctite" to secure them.
Rob

[PJ Grady Inc.]

That's what I was thinking (forgot one bolt to tighten). It happens to the best of us. I don't think it's necessary to use locktight.

The factory seemed to think you do as per safety campaign SC-04-12/81 Revision. I recommend anyone refitting a stabilizer bar follow them to the letter. In house we even apply the blue paint recommended to signify the work was done to specification on this safety critical part.
Rob

[Bitsyncmaster]

The factory seemed to think you do as per safety campaign SC-04-12/81 Revision. I recommend anyone refitting a stabilizer bar follow them to the letter. In house we even apply the blue paint recommended to signify the work was done to specification on this safety critical part.
Rob

That bulletin is for the ball joint nuts. I remember the locktite on the nuts on the ends of the bar but never saw a recommendation to use locktite on those bolts on the brackets. Can you post that recall that states it's use.

[Delorean Industries]

Loctite is a must on these mounting points. We include high strength red with our recall kit.

http://www.deloreanindustries.com/60-front-end-recall-kit-performance/

39665

[PJ Grady Inc.]

That bulletin is for the ball joint nuts. I remember the locktite on the nuts on the ends of the bar but never saw a recommendation to use locktite on those bolts on the brackets. Can you post that recall that states it's use.

Sorry that was my cover page on SC-03-1/82 as delivered by DMC at the time (Somehow they managed to write SC-04 before SC-03....go figure!). Page three #18 lists the procedure for installing the stabilizer clamps. I scanned that page but can't figure how to post it here yet. If you find that bulletin perhaps you can post it yourself?
Rob.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

That bulletin is for the ball joint nuts. I remember the locktite on the nuts on the ends of the bar but never saw a recommendation to use locktite on those bolts on the brackets. Can you post that recall that states it's use.

Sorry that was my cover page on SC-03-1/82 as delivered by DMC at the time (Somehow they managed to write SC-04 before SC-03....go figure!). Page three #18 lists the procedure for installing the stabilizer bar clamps. I scanned that page but can't figure how to post it here yet. If you find that bulletin perhaps you can post it yourself?
Rob.

[Chris4099]

Sorry that was my cover page on SC-03-1/82 as delivered by DMC at the time (Somehow they managed to write SC-04 before SC-03....go figure!). Page three #18 lists the procedure for installing the stabilizer clamps. I scanned that page but can't figure how to post it here yet. If you find that bulletin perhaps you can post it yourself?
Rob.

Here's a link to an online version:
http://dmcnews.com/bulletins/SC-03-1.82.html

[Bitsyncmaster]

Here's a link to an online version:
http://dmcnews.com/bulletins/SC-03-1.82.html

Thanks. I do see the recommendation to use locktite on those bolts. I will have to do that on my car.

[David T]

Thanks. I do see the recommendation to use locktite on those bolts. I will have to do that on my car.

The main problem is you can't torque it as high as it should be torqued because you will rip the threads out of the frame. The threadlocker will keep it from loosening. Just make sure it is torqued to spec with good, clean threads. Another thing you could do is put a dab of paint across the head as a witness mark. It the bolt turns you will see it before it comes out. As for aftermarket parts, any time you use parts that were not meant for a Delorean you must assure yourself they will be at least as good as the original parts. Then you must install them properly. On systems as critical as suspension and steering it is especially important. They should also be checked regularly for any signs of impending failure. At least once a year or every service.