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Is the TAB do-able without a car lift? - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Is the TAB do-able without a car lift? (/showthread.php?tid=1367)

Is the TAB do-able without a car lift? - Outatime - 05 Mar 2008

Nearly time for Easter and I have time to do the TABs. I am wondering whether I should spend mega money for a mechanic to do it, or can I do it myself with a pair of jack stands and me lying on the floor.

Has anyone done their TABs on their driveway (I know NickT have done his, but he is very techanical minded and I am still a learner and don't have a garage with a sunk-in tub!)

How can I torque up the TABs if it needs the car to be on the ground? I can't fit under the car this way Cry

Or.... can I change the TABs and all that, torque it up to a safe level (while still on jack stand), and drive approx 3 miles to a garage to borrow their car lift for 2 minutes to torque them up to 55 Ft/pounds correctly? (I know they won't charge me for that :twisted: )

- stunned_monkey - 05 Mar 2008

Use a jack under the wheel to un-load the TAB to replace it, then jack the car up under the wheel. This pre-loads the bush and you can torque it just fine.

Re: Is the TAB do-able without a car lift? - NickT - 05 Mar 2008

Outatime Wrote:Nearly time for Easter and I have time to do the TABs. I am wondering whether I should spend mega money for a mechanic to do it, or can I do it myself with a pair of jack stands and me lying on the floor.

Has anyone done their TABs on their driveway (I know NickT have done his, but he is very techanical minded and I am still a learner and don't have a garage with a sunk-in tub!)

How can I torque up the TABs if it needs the car to be on the ground? I can't fit under the car this way Cry

Or.... can I change the TABs and all that, torque it up to a safe level (while still on jack stand), and drive approx 3 miles to a garage to borrow their car lift for 2 minutes to torque them up to 55 Ft/pounds correctly? (I know they won't charge me for that :twisted: )

I am lucky I have the luxury of a big gaage and pit.

You could take the car to have its alignment check and if it requires the rear end aligned then you would have to move/ add / remove a shim or too anyway. This way the garage will do this as part of the geometry alignment !

If you are jacking the wheel then at least measure the distance between the top of the rim to the wheel arch with the car on the ground then get this measurement correct with the car up.

Regards,

Nick.

- Rich H - 09 Mar 2008

I have replaced the TABs on my D using drive up ramps if you can borrow a set from somewhere....

- Barson - 07 Apr 2008

just did my TABs over the weekend. I used bricks Wink


here's the driver's side TAB:
[Image: IMG_1253.jpg]

pass side a little better off.

- Chris Williams - 07 Apr 2008

Yes I'm embarrassed to say thats still one thing I have not checked and done on my car. Who's bolts did you use in the end Barson? Toby tab's?
Chris

- Barson - 08 Apr 2008

Yep - That's a Toby Tab on the right. Smile

- Chris Williams - 08 Apr 2008

Ahh, right thanks. Must get a couple ordered.

Chris

- bozzzydmc - 08 Apr 2008

After consultation with an enginnering friend I went for these.
[Image: delorean-trailing-arm-bolts.jpg]


http://specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/suspension.html

- Chris Williams - 08 Apr 2008

For some reason the heads on those toby tabs look very familiar, look remarkeably aircraft like!!, knock of Boeing me thinks Shock
Chris

- Barson - 09 Apr 2008

I think Toby is/was an aircraft engineer or something. the TABs are made out of inconel which is commonly used on aircraft.

- Tourettes Tony - 09 Apr 2008

i need to do mine i think, i have access to a ramp now TT

- Chris Williams - 09 Apr 2008

Barson Wrote:I think Toby is/was an aircraft engineer or something. the TABs are made out of inconel which is commonly used on aircraft.

Here's a pic I took earlier in the wheel bay of a 737. I knew I had seen bolt heads like that before[Image: Image010.jpg]

Chris

needs to get out more....