De Lorean EuroTec

Phil, did you use the retaining rings from the SpecialT?

dmcjohn wrote:Rather than machining the ball joint though, I'd prefer to modify my lower control arms to suit a standard ball joint.

Thats a good idea John

Dan 6457 wrote:

dmcjohn wrote:Rather than machining the ball joint though, I'd prefer to modify my lower control arms to suit a standard ball joint.

Thats a good idea John

Yes and TT is of the same opinion

Seems the obvious answer, but you have to ensure the following:

The work is done correctly and safely.
The geometry is not altered.
A clear record is kept for the cars future.
And what happens if you need a new lower arm?

You've also got to consider that in a while this "problem" with joints should be resolved, and then your car is somewhat of a un-necessary odd ball modification.

I've emailed DMCH with the concerns raised in this thread, so hopefully I'll get a reply.

Good point Darren, and its also pretty easy to modify the lotus ball joints.

I might get a straight knurling tool and make a few up. Could you measure the diameter of an oem/specialT one (don't measure where its knurled of course) and also the distance from the shoulder to the circlip grove for me Darren?

Hi Dan,

38mm + or - 0.02mm diameter PRE knurl (thats the clear shaft just above knurl)

14mm + or - 0.02mm from top of collar (that sits against underside of lower arm) to bottom of circlip slot. Basically the spline plus clear dia length below circlip.

Measurements from a DMCH joint (manufactured from DMC drawings) alegedly

Regards
D

Thats great Darren.

Sorry guys, Ive made a mistake in my posts! The ball joints ive used are not Lotus Esprit ones they are in fact Lotus Elise ones, dont know why I typed Esprit!!

John, modifying the control arms does seem a good idea, so you dont need to play about with the diameter of the ball joint. However you would still need to machine in the groove for the cir clip and drill the shaft for the split pin. So work would still be needed on the ball joint.
Also, im hoping there will be a better long term solution to this problem from DMCH at some point in the future so I tried to avoid modifying my lower arms in case I ever get different ball joints.

I did use the retaining rings from the special T ball joints, they are simple to make up but at the time I didnt have the time to get them done so I just used the special T ones.

Darren, the Special T ball joint is in the post to you today, you might have it tomorrow.

Thank's Phil,

I did check out the "Esprit" and they are Elise.....but also cross ref to Vauxhall/Opel VX200.

Regards
D