[DeTomaso] Chassis

Stephen Nelson steve at snclocks.com
Sat Aug 19 10:02:17 EDT 2017


Wow - that is a novel thought - leave suspension bolts looser than spec'd by
the manufacturer.  Wow.  If I were you I would talk to Dennis at Pantera
Performance.  And then I'd polish the inside of the A-arm ends where the
bushings are meant to rotate and tighten to design specs.

Just my thoughts...

Stephen

-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf
Of Joseph F. Byrd, Jr.
Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2017 6:01 AM
To: detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Chassis

I should not question the design of others for a case where I have no
experience, BUT my observation of a design that allows structural members (
the through bolt and side tabs) to have freedom would eventually allow the
bolt to "beat out" the hole in the tabs and "notch" the bolt shank.

The use of a sleeve so the bolt can be securely tighten, allowing rotation
between sleeve/bushing AND limiting the amount of compression of the bushing
faces.   Even this improvement still uses a structural member (the tabs) to
be a wear surface.  Adding flange faces to the sleeves would then contain
all "wearing" to replaceable components.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf
Of John McKee
Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2017 1:51 AM
To: 'Mike Drew'; 'Larry Weston'
Cc: detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Chassis

I am not certain what the design intent of the stock rubber bushing was but
I think the poly bushings are intended to act like a thrust bearing if I
understand that term correctly. The suspension mounting tabs pinch down on
the radial end surface of the bushing something like an old time friction
shock. Yes the bushing could spin on the shaft but the main movement or path
of least resistance should be at the ends.
I had Dick Drenske make me a set of bushings out of Delrin and he told me to
coat the ends with anti-seize as that was the surface you want to have
moving.  Much like the shocks, you do not want to over tighten the tabs so
he had me use new nylock nuts and tighten to 20 ft.lbs. I also polished the
mounting tab surfaces smooth and gave them a light coat of sacrificial paint
to keep the rust off before adding a liberal amount of anti-seize.
I have yet to complete my car and put any miles on them but I know he had
made Delrin bushings for his convertible Longchamp (beautiful car) and he
also put a set on the front end of Dawg's Phoenix.

John



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