Trailing Arm Bolts / Toby TABs

[Rich_NYS]

If I'm overlooking an existing thread I apologize, please direct me there.

-What is the cliff-notes version of what I can/should do with my trailing arm bolts? I know what & where they are, and I can guess what happens when they bend/break but what can/should I do to be proactive?


-Toby TABs: why are they so expensive?

-Aside from Toby TABs, what are my options for replacement?


Thanks!

[DeLorean03]

Short answer: if you're not feeling a cyclic thumping in the butt of the driver's seat, do not worry about them.

Now, if you DO feel such a thumping, or you can get a visual on them and tell they are dramatically bent, get new ones.

Manual DeLoreans, my understanding, you can get in there with enough persistence and patience and change them out. If you have an auto trans like me, life sucks.

This was something I had DMCMW do when they overhauled my auto trans in August 2012, and they did a 100% amazing job. The trans was already out and they were 31 year old bolts. There was no better time to do them.

Toby TABs. They are made of some adamantium based metal (j/k), and they are super-resistant to any kind of corrosion or shearing. Rumored to have been made in a quantity of x < 200, they are highly sought after due to their reputation for being practically indestructible. Back in 2003, they were only $70 (I believe), but then someone somewhere paid $700+ for a set of them, and that was that.

Here is an excellent thread on the discussion of Toby TABS:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?8020-Toby-TABs&p=118256&viewfull=1#post118256

They are the Veyron of possible TABs, but they are by no means your only option. I didn't even begin to hesitate letting DMCMW change mine at $30 plus labor.

http://store.delorean.com/p-10230-trailing-arm-bolt-kit.aspx


And then finally, for the "Scare tactic" part of "OMG...this could happen to your DeLorean too...!!!!" , here's the reason, I believe, why so many people want to change their TABs. Take note, NO TAB FAILURE OCCURRED HERE:

http://dmcnews.com/Techsection/rollover.html


The horror D: ....

24834

[Domi]

Another choice is here:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?8738-I-Bolt-Inconel-Trailing-Arm-Bolts-now-at-DMC-Midwest

[David T]

If I'm overlooking an existing thread I apologize, please direct me there.

-What is the cliff-notes version of what I can/should do with my trailing arm bolts? I know what & where they are, and I can guess what happens when they bend/break but what can/should I do to be proactive?


-Toby TABs: why are they so expensive?

-Aside from Toby TABs, what are my options for replacement?


Thanks!

You need to inspect them regularly. If they appear bent or shims are missing they should be replaced. The torque value is critical. It is more difficult to do the TAB's on an automatic but not impossible, just more work on one side. Best time to check them is during an alignment. Once loosened you rotate the bolt and see if the trailing arm moves up and down. Then you use the necessary amount of shims to set the "Thrust Angle" for the rear wheels. All of the venders have TABs available. The Toby TABS were overkill but that was what some people wanted. Once you have an alignment done you should write the # of shims right there on the frame so every time you look you can count them and make sure they are all there. I would also use a dab of paint on the nut as a "witness mark" so you can tell if it is loosening. Fortunately most of the times a TAB has failed it has been while the car was moving slowly so there was no accident with other cars. Just some repairable damage to the Delorean. If proactive is what you want then have an alignment done and replace the TABs at that time.

[NightFlyer]

Agree with DeLorean03 - I think the whole TAB scare is a bit overblown.

Unless your driving intentions with the car are spirited/performance oriented, or you're regularly driving on some pretty rough surfaces, then I wouldn't worry about changing them. The stock/OEM bolts are more than sufficient for regular driving habits/conditions.

Now, if it is your intention to push the car, or if you're regularly driving on less than ideal surfaces, then changing with something better probably isn't a bad idea. Although, it would still be a pretty low priority on my restoration list. It's also going to be an absolute beotch trying to change them with the auto gearbox that your car has, but not all together impossible. A Talk member did a video regarding changing the TABs on an auto trans car:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1fdmmdd-hA

If you do decide to change them out, I'd personally go with the new Swingle (DMCMW) TABs, as they represent the best bang for the buck in the current TAB market. Next in line would be Martin's (delorean.co.uk) TABs. At some point, I'll be picking up a pair of Swingle TABs for my car, if not for any other reason than to put on the shelf of handily available spares :smile:

[Rich_NYS]

Thanks everybody, I'll get a look at them this Spring.

[EdR5150]

A Talk member did a video regarding changing the TABs on an auto trans car:

Ack, I keep meaning to re-record that video, re-phrase a few things, show some photos, and overall, improve it. I made another video on TABs in general:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXeFsON1q_M

I cringe when I hear myself talk, but if the videos are helpful, I guess that's all that matters.

[OverlandMan]

Ack, I keep meaning to re-record that video, re-phrase a few things, show some photos, and overall, improve it. I made another video on TABs in general:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXeFsON1q_M

I cringe when I hear myself talk, but if the videos are helpful, I guess that's all that matters.

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing Ed.

[Jonathan]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing Ed.

Yea, definitely. Nice job! I certainly found it helpful.

I got some good advice recently about the TAB replacement job with an auto trans. If you are replacing the bushing as well and the bracket needs to come off to do so, you gain a bit of freedom to get the bolt, bracket, bushing assembly in place even without moving the transmission slightly. Ed mentioned the hole being bigger than the diameter of the bolt and I think this is a big part of it. I haven't seen it with my own eyes but it's given me new perspective on finally being able to tackle this project. Not sure how to get it all assembled in there with the first washer being bigger than the hole so the bolt would still need to be threaded through the washer and frame hole while under the car. If it makes a bunch more sense when I'm doing it I'll see about some photos or video.

[Rich_NYS]

I made another video on TABs in general:


Excellent video...thanks for posting it, very helpful.

[EdR5150]

Here's my blog post for my TAB replacement: http://www.16908.info/?p=586

TAB replacement is very simple... if you have a bare frame:
http://www.noroads.com/delorean/3281/content/20080217/IMG_0484.jpg

[Mark D]

...And after several sets of Toby TABS selling for record prices this set goes for $180.

???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DeLorean-Trailing-Arm-Bolts-Toby-TABs-Inconel-Alloy-/131134554292

[EdR5150]

DMC Midwest is now selling new inconel TABs (mentioned in the 3rd post on this thread). Toby TABs are no longer in high demand. Whoever sold those Toby TABs was lucky to get that much.

[Conundrum]

Figures, I still have a spare set of Toby TABs sitting at the house.:biggrin: