DeLorean Question - Volvo RELATED

Northern Chev · Post by **Northern Chev** » 29 Mar 2012, 17:12

I have a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 that I've owned for 16 years and in that time I've replaced the speedo angle drive unit three times in less than 30,000 miles. I've also had the speedometer and the cable replaced in that time too. ALL service on this car has been done by DeLorean Motor Company in Houston, Texas and Chicago (Mid-west) exclusively over the last 16 years except for the third angle drive which I easily did myself.

HERE'S THE VOLVO CONTENT ---->

Deloreans are FULL of Volvo parts and the speedo angle drive is one of them. It keeps failing. DeLorean Motor Company explained that the original design was a bad one and they didn't last very long due to lack of proper lubrication, but that there has been a recent redesign of this part to allow for lubrication.

I have had both models new and old, I have followed the instructions for proper lubrication AND installed a new "dust cap" to protect the end. Even the "new" design only lasted 490 miles before failing at the St. Ignace car show in Michigan. Yes, that's right... only 490 miles.

I "think" the part number was 106130.

Has anyone else had ANY problems with this Volvo angle drive and what types of solutions have you come up with to make them last on YOUR Volvo?

Thank you.

Post by **JDS60R** » 29 Mar 2012, 17:55

I am not sure what you mean by a speedo angle gear. Volvo considers the "angle gear" to be the driveline connection from the transmission in AWD cars to the center drive shaft. it is shaped like a differential and bolted to the transmission.

When you say speedo I think speedometer cable. So I am not sure if you mean the angle gear or what your speedometer cable hooks up to at the transmission. Could you please help us understand so we can help.

i was unable to bring anything up with the part number.

Post by **JDS60R** » 29 Mar 2012, 18:00

maybe this
These sometimes have nylon or metal inner shafts and gears. On nylon use silicone grease (Syl - Glyde) and make sure the cables are not putting any side loads on the component. secure the cable so it goes straight into the unit.

if metal a graphite or moly based grease will work.

Post by **JDS60R** » 29 Mar 2012, 18:03

or this

On these ,the coupling to the trans, rust and leaking are the issues. Use a proper synthetic lube that will keep rust at bay such as Amsoil severe gear 75W-90. Update your trans coupler and vent if there is one made for your model. Disassemble and place sealer as guided by Volvo bulletin to stop the leaks.

1800ES · Post by **1800ES** » 29 Mar 2012, 18:25

First off, you are my hero. I LOVE Deloreans.

My 1800ES had a right angle drive on it originally. When my I had to replace the speedo cable, it turned out that the replacement cable was longer than the original and we were able to route the new cable in such a way to do away with the right angle drive altogether. I know they are prone to failure, and for the 1800, they are also relatively expensive to replace. So we figured it was worth a shot to try it without the angle drive. The speedo has been happily chugging along with no problems for probably close to 4,000 miles now. Not a really high mileage number so far, but certainly more than 490! The ES is my fun car so it only comes out to play when the weather is really nice.

Not sure what the Delorean's setup looks like, but if you can make it work, maybe a longer speedo cable would eliminate the angle drive for you as well.

Good luck!

Richard-Bundy · Post by **Richard-Bundy** » 29 Mar 2012, 23:56

hi,
really only replied so i can say i conversed with a delorean owner !
(very rare car downunder )
i did a bit of googling and found that it apears the v6 was used in volvos and renaults. it appears the transaxle is also from a renault. so your speedo angle drive is possibly renault. but given the body around your transaxle is not something renault would have prepared for, its possible the angle drive could have come from anything, maybe a masey ferguson tractor !
( i just re-read the thread, and relize you know it is a volvo part. oops ! )
as per 1800ES, could you re-route the speedo cable to do away with the angle drive ?
failing that, i see that some deloreans put porsche transaxles in them....
regards
Richard

Post by **jimmy57** » 30 Mar 2012, 06:27

The problem is the very long speedo cable. Long cables, especially when they are not lubricated well or are routed in too tight of a radius, are too hard to turn for the weak gears and drive hardware in the transmission.
Those angle gears are made by a third party and are used on many vehicles and they are not problematic unless there is a cable issue.
If you remove the cable and try to turn it by hand I bet you find it is not easy to turn.

Northern Chev · Post by **Northern Chev** » 30 Mar 2012, 13:56

Really good ideas here guys, thank you!

After reading all your responses and compiling them with the knowledge I have from what I can see on the DeLorean I'm going to have to solidly lay the blame on the speedometer cable angle and here's why:

For those reading this I just want to confirm that this angle drive connects directly to the inside of the driver's-side (left) front spindle. The spindle is hollow to allow and allows the shaft go from the inside of the spindle to the outside of the spindle where it is driven from the wheel bearing.

: DeLorean Angle Drive.jpg (8.35 KiB) Viewed 1861 times

As you can see from the picture the whole thing moves with the front wheel as you steer. So it's impossible to keep a "friendly" angle on the speedo cable (the attached stainless mesh cable). This photo is one of the metal geared ones with the lubrication zert on the bottom. I have had all three designs on my car at one point or another (nylon, graphite, metal) and believe it or not the nylon one lasted 19,000 miles, the graphite one lasted about 3000 miles and the metal one died after only 490 miles. The cable was replaced each time too with special attention payed to cable angle. The first two cable changes were done by DeLorean Motor Company them self.

I have followed the instructions on lubrication for these devices strictly each time and they still don't survive.

So I'm going to go with the fact that turning the wheel must side-load the gear causing premature wear. Considering that I've only put 30,000 miles on this car in 16 years (and 15,000 of that was done in 3 years) I'd be happy with one that only broke once every 20,000 miles or so. I just wondered who else out there with angle drive Volvos were having similar issues and what they've done to remedy it.

Thank you!