I made custom rear control arms for my rig with a heim(3/4) on the frame end and a bushing on the axle end. The heim does have enough movement during articulation(even with misalignment washers) so I left the jamn nut off since it can't unscrew completely since the axle end is fixed.
Well now the treads in the end of the control arm are getting real loose.
So I'm considering replacing the heim end with a wristed section and a bushing like what's on the teraflex control arms.
Any better ideas?
or source for the wristed section?
bushing that will still allow for a 3/4" bolt?

Teabag,

I think you meant to say "does not have.." You should have enough movement with washers...What's binding? How far is the heim from the frame rail? I had zero problems with binding on my SG HD rear links.

I think your referring to Johnny-Joints. Check with Currie, they've got um.

--D

these are the joints I'm refering too. I think the SG ones must bind also. It's only at the end of the travel cycle. The heim fully cycles and runs out of movement. It is not hitting on the brakets but on the miss alignment washers.

Originally posted by teabag
these are the joints I'm refering too. I think the SG ones must bind also. It's only at the end of the travel cycle. The heim fully cycles and runs out of movement. It is not hitting on the brakets but on the miss alignment washers.
stay away from this design, it is basically what you have and the threads on these wear out too. they also don't allow for the side to side movement that a heim or Jonny joint does.

The threads on these do not go out! They are great, especially if you keep them greased. A buddy of mine ran his TJ through a full-size Dodge Ram, pushed the axle back almost 3 inches. What moved? Bent the axle tube and ripped the mounts, the arms were completely intact.

I run this style arm on the front and on my 4-link long-arm rear. Have been nothing but satisfied; no heim noise or JJ rebuilding.:D

Seems like the cure for worn threads is more thread engagament.... those arms pictured sure don't seem to have enough thread engagement at all....

Okay Tea-bag...I getcha' now...Yea that the arm on my old 3-link. Supper beefy...If I remember correctly it was 3/8th wall. Yea I had zero problems with the threads...Plenty of trail (major rock hits) and street miles too. That's got me thinking that that's the ticket for my front radius arm design...Cut the end off the terra-link and weld/gusset it to the top of the main arm (tied to the frame). Do you know what lenght's you can get? I suppose it wouldn't matter, because sleeving would be cake. Let us know what you find out.

--D

Tera uses Acme threads in those arms. they are flat threads. they last a long time.
but they are hard to cut with a die. so some mach. shop will have to cut them for you. i was going to use that type of thread but ran out of time finding a place to cut them.

keep us updated on what you find.
steelman

I wiped out a full set of those terra arms in 6 months, I kept them greased regularly, every week, I took them back for the $ and they wanted to give me more :flipoff: that, I bought curry arms and have had no problems since. this is why I have nothing good to say about them, first hand experiance, I'd stay away from them.

then there is the other issue, your axle is set in an arc of a track bar, and these don't allow for the sideways movement of the axle in that arc, and bind. eventually they will tare the mounts off or waller the holes in them.

Brent
I didn't think of the fact that these joints didn't have the rotation movement that i would need.

So anyone have a better idea?
I've seen adapter spacers that reduce the inner dia of a heim and at the same time increase missalignment ablity of the joint.

Does anyone like this idea?
A source for large "whatever these are called" to go from a 7/8 down to 3/4? I've only seen them for smaller joints.

Teagbag,

I'm guessing that your problem isn't just with the heims. Teraflex's bushings aren't very soft, I'm not sure they flex all that much, they rely on the arm to twist to get the misalignment. I believe what is happening is that since the resistance to move in the heim is much much less than the bushing, the heim is maxing out and then the bushing will start to deflect, but your just seeing that the heim is completely maxed out, it isn't the heims fault it is the fact that the bushing isn't doing much flexing.(I dont think, I could be wrong).

As far as the tera arms, I'm not a huge fan. What kills me is this. Normally a wearable item can be replaced. Tires, bushings, oil filters, etc. Well, with the teraflex arms, you've got wearable bushings and a wearable arm. Because of the threads, they WILL wear out, just a matter of time. When that happens your not going to need to replace $8 bushings, your going to have to replace a $200 arm, that doesn't make much sense to me.

What I suggest is getting more misalignment out of the arm. Your on the right track...In the past I've used 3/4-3/4 heims with a 3/4-5/8 reducer and 5/8 misalignment spacers at both ends of my control arms. This gave me more misalignment than I ever need.

If I were in your shoes, I'd get some quality heims(this way they won't squeak or make noise)....and put them at both ends of your links and your problem will be solved.

CJ

Originally posted by teabag
Brent
Does anyone like this idea?
A source for large "whatever these are called" to go from a 7/8 down to 3/4? I've only seen them for smaller joints.
try here (http://www.avalancheengr.com/parts/steering/links_with_heim.htm) I didn't see any for 7/8", but that dosen't meen they don't have them or won't make them for a resonable price.

Actually, when I was searching around for big reducers I think I remember Skyjacker having a 7/8" to 3/4". They can give you the part # over the phone but you have to order it from Quadratec. They sell individual Skyjacker parts.

These guys are making valid points about the Tera arms. I have considered other options but decided to stick w/ them. Its just personal preference. I haven't found many heims that stay quiet for long, and I have seen them break fairly easily. Even Skyjackers BIG lower-arm heims fall apart. I find replacing $25-35 heims frequently more of an issue than replacing cheap bushings and an arm once in a blue moon...

I just like bushings, good solid feel. Yea, I have replaced them once in my Tera arms. Cheap maintenance. The trackbar sideways movement issue is very much a prob in stock TJ rear suspensions; the brackets are weak. The stock front mounts can handle them, no prob.

I have a 4-link long arm rear susp and the bushings keep it feeling very tight and no bind. I have HD mounting points but don't really need them w/o a trackbar.:D