Front End Recall Not Done?

[DrJeff]

I am planning out the refresh of the suspension and went to check that the front end recall had been done - of course assuming it had to have been. I expected to see a castellated nut at the top of the ball joints?

1182011819

The nuts on the ball joints are certainly not castellated. As regards the support bracket, the description said to look for two bolts between the control arm and the sway bar? Not sure what I'm looking for, since If I don't have it...

Anyone willing to offer a diagnosis from these photos?

[Mark D]

In the photo above you can see where a hole has been drilled through the nut and ball joint shaft and a split pin has been installed. The dab of paint on the steering knuckle is also an indication that the ball joint recall has been performed on your car. The purpose of this fix is to prevent the nuts from loosening over time and backing off the ball joint shaft.

For the front crumple tube recall there should be two black painted plates installed on the crumple tube sections where the anti-roll bar mounts to it. The brackets provide additional strength and prevent the crumple tube from deforming during normal operation.

They look like this:
http://store.delorean.com/p-10229-front-end-recall-kit.aspx


http://store.delorean.com/images/Product/medium/K109269.jpg

[WelmoedJ]

For the front crumple tube recall there should be two black painted plates installed on the crumple tube sections where the anti-roll bar mounts to it. The brackets provide additional strength and prevent the crumple tube from deforming during normal operation.

Or the SS version of them (not painted) ;)

[DrJeff]

In the photo above you can see where a hole has been drilled through the nut and ball joint shaft and a split pin has been installed...

I don't think the photo you're refering to got attached?

When I looked at the car last night I didn't see anything that looked like the black (or stainless) brackets on the anti-roll bar. :reading:

[DeLorean]

well it looks to me like you do NOT have the recall done.

[Kevin]

For extra reference, here are a few more photos of the recall (not of my car, thankfully (rust)):

11821 11822 11823

[Mark D]

I don't think the photo you're refering to got attached?

I was referring to your photo above in your original post. I've marked it up below to indicate the areas that show the recall HAS been performed on your ball joints. Drilling a hole through the nyloc nut and installing the pin serves the exact same purpose as using a castle nut with a cotter pin.

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As pointed out in the previous post, this is what your crumple tube should look like where the ARB mounts to it. If you don't have the brackets indicated by the red arrow then you will need that recall kit I linked to before.

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If you are planning to disassemble your front suspension for refurb/repainting/etc and you plan to remove the ball joints from the knuckle you will need to buy castle nuts and install those instead of the old nyloc nuts when you reassemble everything. My ball joints looked exactly like yours and it was next to impossible to punch out the split pin to remove the ball joint nut. I had to just shear the pin as I removed the nut.

Getting the old nyloc nut torqued back on there properly and having it line up with the old hole would be very difficult...if not impossible. Using a castle nut would be required if you wanted to line up with the old hole. Attempting to reuse the old nyloc nut would require a new hole be drilled through the ball joint shaft which I would not recommend since it would weaken the shaft.

When reinstalling.... If the height of the new castle nut height does not line up vertically with the height of the old hole and you need to drill new holes you should be OK. The main thing you do not want to do is drill a second hole on the same horzontal plane as the old hole in an area where the threads are engaged. My guess is that a new hole will be higher up than the old hole and since it is above the threaded section of the castle nut you'll be fine.

[David T]

If you find you do not have one recall done the chances are very high there are others you need to do. You should now check for ALL of them and get any done that have not been done. Besides the front end, others include:
Inertia switch
Throttle
Fan fail relay

Unofficial ones include:

Relay upgrade kit
Door lock module mod or upgrade
Alternator (if you still have the Ducey)
Muffler bracket (upper right side)
New trailing arm bolts or at least inspection
For the 5-speed the braided S/S hose
Metal header bottle

David Teitelbaum

[DrJeff]

... I've marked it up below to indicate the areas that show the recall HAS been performed on your ball joints. Drilling a hole through the nyloc nut and installing the pin serves the exact same purpose as using a castle nut with a cotter pin...

Well spotted, I would have missed that for sure. I guess this was done to just quickly make use of the existing nut.


... If you are planning to disassemble your front suspension for refurb/repainting/etc and you plan to remove the ball joints from the knuckle you will need to buy castle nuts and install those instead of the old nyloc nuts when you reassemble everything.

Sounds like just going ahead with castle nuts makes sense, and as you've described it stands a better chance of using the existing hole through the ball joint shaft. And if not, worst case drilling a new hole.

Thanks for the help and advice

[David T]

If the recalls were done you should also see patches of paint on the firewall in front of the motor. Part of the front end recall was not only to replace the nut but it was supposed to be cotter-pinned. If you remove the nut you may see a hole in the stud. If not you can either drill one or replace the joint.
David Teitelbaum




Well spotted, I would have missed that for sure. I guess this was done to just quickly make use of the existing nut.



Sounds like just going ahead with castle nuts makes sense, and as you've described it stands a better chance of using the existing hole through the ball joint shaft. And if not, worst case drilling a new hole.

Thanks for the help and advice

[jawn101]

I always thought it was interesting that I have the front end recall (and seemingly every other recall save the throttle de-ice, which for a lifelong Northern CA car wasn't that important) but no paint on my firewall.

[Shep]

In case anyone's wondering what the recall paint indicator in front of the motor looks like, here it is on 559:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/78099959/VIN%20559/Pictures/Problem%20areas/Resized/Problem21s.JPG

Mine is two splotches of red paint located between the engine cover prop stand and the resistors. Your mileage may vary however. Shouldn't be hard to find, they're usually located in an area that requires no awkward positions and no tools to get to so mechanics easily know if the recall was done at a glance.

[MML]

I have those red spots in the exact same place.

Out of curiosity David, what is the muffler bracket modification? I'm not familiar with that one. I think I've seen all the rest at one time or another, this one escapes me!

[David T]

The original rear, right, upper muffler bracket is prone to cracking right where it is bent. All of the venders sell an improved one that is beefier and won't crack.
David Teitelbaum

[DrJeff]

...Mine is two splotches of red paint located between the engine cover prop stand and the resistors.

I checked and mine are two small blue dots, in the same location as your (more generous) red splotches. I also have the brackets fitted, once I knew where I was looking it was obvious. So my front end recall is done, but they just didn't use the castle nuts.

Thanks