DMCH Lower ball joints IS THIS WHY THEY FAIL??????

[bandit]

Right, no probs, I'll sort it cheers

[A Van]

I think we better get some in, there isnt any alternative, if someone fails MOT then they are in real trouble.

Unless we buy some VW ones and ask Darren nicely to machine them a la Hervey?, Phil E has two still we could use to inspect?

Either way we need to move fast

[bozzzydmc]

I have some 'older' Hervey ones .. they look more than 'fit for purpose' to me if anyone needs or wants them for anything ....

[tourettes tony]

So, in short - no, you'll have to buy a set from Hervey: http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-pa ... nsion.html - but it might be an idea for us to stock them on a non-advertised, no warranty and "we don't recommend you use them" kind of basis, just to help people out. I've got a set of Hervey ones and the quality doesn't bother me - sort of matches the rest of the car really!

i do love your replies azza

[Phil349]

After what was detailed in this thread about the special T auto ball joints:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1792

I did some research to see what else might be available and might work and decided to order a Lotus Esprit lower ball joint (also same as used on the mk1 astra) to have a look at and found it looks more or less spot on, correct casing height, thick base like the oem joint, the tapered shaft is correct, etc. Only thing is they are a little to big in diameter and dont have a cir clip groove.
I had it modifed by machining the casing down to get the right diameter (doesnt need much taking off though), obviously this removed the knurled finish so that was put back in after the machining, cut a groove for the cir clip to fit into and drilled a hole in the shaft for the split pin. This all worked out fine and all dimensions matched the OEM joint, the tapered shaft fits the hole in the steering knuckle very well, significantly better than the special T joint.
I was a little concerned about the stregnth compared to the OEM joint as its an unknown and attemped to stress test it, but without access to specialist equipment I could only put 1.5 ton of force attempting to pull the shaft out from the socket through the ball joint, both joints take this fine. It would be better to test it further but I had spent long enough on all this and wanted the car back together! And seeing as the design of the ball joint is right and the esprit suspension puts force on the joint in the same way as the deloreans suspension does I felt it worth trying.
I got another two ball joints had them modified in the same way and now have them on the car, so far, roughly 1000 miles of use later and they seem fine still. I will be checking it every so often in the same way Darren has said though.
They come with Nylock nuts but ive used castle nuts instead. And i mean proper sized castle nuts, not the low profile ones you get with the special T joints!

Here are some pics, shown after pressing into the lower arms. After these were taken cir clips were fitted as normal, the joint packed out with bearing grease and boots fitted.

These joints are made by Delphi, part number AK40D.

Its a little work to use these but I feel better using these than the special T or DMCH ones to be honest. But I do understand the special T ones have worked and are still working for a lot of poeple just fine and thats great, but its down to what each person feels comfortable with at the end of the day.

[Phil349]

If it helps towards a solution for everyone I am more than happy to donate one of the unused special T joints I have if its useful and I also have my old used but worn OEM joints for comparisom.

Has anyone else done anything similar to myself and found other ball joints that would work?
Dave H has looked into it but the joints he was given by his supplier wont work, the casing isnt tall enough and so wouldnt even protrude through the top of the suspension arm once fitted. Also the diameter was too large again.

[A Van]

Phil, could you possibly send one of the specialauto joints to Darren if he
pms you his address?

[Phil349]

Yes, if your thinking or reworking the tapered shaft I dont think it will work though, if I remember correctly the shaft diameter is too small at the bottom, was a few months back though and cant remember my measurments right now.
Or do you have something else in mind?

[Dan 6511]

This is interesting.

What you were saying about the taper of the special T ones does have me worried and I might convert to these esprit ones too. How much does the diameter vary between oem and esprit?

I've just been looking into this and think the partnumber is actually TC163. Any chance you could send me one of the oem joints? I want to modify a pair of these and try them out on my car too.

[A Van]

Yes, if your thinking or reworking the tapered shaft I dont think it will work though, if I remember correctly the shaft diameter is too small at the bottom, was a few months back though and cant remember my measurments right now.
Or do you have something else in mind?

Hi Phil

I think the plan is to send Darren a SpecialT joint, and a pair of the ones you have identified?, see what he thinks..if we ask him nicely he might machine a couple (like you have done) for the club to get anyone out of trouble etc.