DMCH Balljoint issues anyone?

[Phil349]

Ive been reading all the threads regarding lower ball joint failures, quite scary if one lets go! It could be very dangerous if it happens while driving/cornering!!
Makes you think, mine are probably the originals, its just passed an MOT but now its being driven more than it has over recent years I wouldnt mind replacing them just incase.
From what ive seen the DMCH ball joints dont look as substantial as the originals!
Has anyone looked at weather Esprit ones are the same? The wishbones and frame are based off the early esprit so could be the same.
From this they look similar anyway -

http://www.andywhittaker.com/Cars/Lotus ... fault.aspx

EDIT -
Part number A079C6008F. About £20 each from lotus parts places.

[arranj]

Well - according to James Epsey on Alistair's thread here: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=470 "All failures that are known have happened at very low speeds, full lock, apparently the nature of the geometry means they never fail at speed!"


Also - DeLorean Club Parts can now supply "the very best" of these: viewtopic.php?f=66&t=505 - and a great price too!

[A Van]

Hi Phil

Welcome!

We have a couple of Lotus experts on here, I am sure one of them will be able to confirm.

[bozzzydmc]

Hi Phil

Welcome!

I agree with Arran ... this is one of the reasons why the 'DeLorean Club' has researched and decided to stock the make of lower ball joints that they are getting into stock shortly.

With the onset of winter this is a great time to do this ( me included )

Regards

Mike

[Admin-bloke]

Hi Phil, Welcome to the Club !!!

Always interesting to know about new members and their cars !

[Phil349]

Hi All,

Thanks for the welcome! Im a member of the DOC but this was my first post on here.
I think I will get a pair the special T ones that are coming in soon, it would be good to replace mine just for peace of mind! The Esprit ones look similar, so if anyone knows for sure then they might be a good alternative.
I know the failure's have all been at low speeds, but there must be just as much strain through these ball joints while driving, during some hard cornering and braking.

My car has been on the road for about 2 weeks now and im loving it!!
I bought vin no 1128 from a guy in Florida at the beginning of April and it arrived here at the end of June. Ive just given it a full service and its running really well! Getting quite a bit of use at the moment!

[A Van]

Hi Phil

Welcome, sounds like your having fun!..the more miles the better!

[Nick Sutton]

The DeLorean suspension was designed by Dr.Mike Foxon ex Lotus and I think IDAT - a talented engineer would be an understatement .If Mike's tuned in to this please join in and give us a bit more detail.

The lower ball joint was made by Armstrong Patents Ltd.

Part number 100407

Nick Sutton

[arranj]

Just to bump this thread for those of you who don't know - DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BUY LOWER BALL JOINTS FROM DMCH (at the moment at least) (well for legal reasons that is purely just my personal opinion! ).

There have been just way too many reports of these failing - see these threads for example:

viewtopic.php?f=66&t=505&start=40

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1433&start=18


This is what happens when a lower ball joint fails: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=470


And the ones available from John Hervey/SpecialTAuto are the ones to buy - no reported failures that I am aware of - available from the USA here: http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-pa ... nsion.html - and of course stocked by us here in the UK: viewtopic.php?f=66&t=505

[Manxmann]

Now you tell me

Ah well at least they lasted 257miles!!!! Replacement Delorean Club parts being fitted on Thursday