gotta few heim joint questions for you guys.

What is the best source and part # for the best heim you have founf so far?

How long can I expect them to last in a relatively harsh enviornment? (new england)

and...

how much can i expect to pay for a quality heim?

TIA :flipoff2:

Well, don't let anyone fool you by saying Avalanche Engineering is the best. QA1 supplies their rod ends for them. I found out by shear coincidence of part numbers and asking QA1 about it. I also asked if they made a stronger heim (QA1), but they don't. Said they did make a better quality one tho - the HMR-HML series - same ones the desert runners use. It can be ordered with or without a grease fitting.
The XMR-XML series has a kelvar sleeve the center ball pivots in - BTW: it wears out kinda fast if you have a lot of articulation with force opposing the angle of the bolt.

I'm using the XM series 10-12 size, 40,000 lb joints I really like them, haven't broke one yet, no slop so far. They should last a long time. Rodendsupply.com is a good source, I think I paid $24 each.
Don't use greasable joints in stressed applications, they are about 1/2 as strong.

Speaking of Avalanche. Their website says and the owner confirms- that the 5/8-3/4 heim is stronger than the 3/4-3/4, at 41,xxx tensile strength vs. 28,xxx. Clifton says the 5/8-3/4 combo will hold until the thru bolt bends.:eek:
Sooo, that's what I'm trying at the axle end of my 4-link. They sell those nifty weld in inserts to go with, also. Gonna look and see if there's a cheaper place to get them though.

5/8 X 3/4 is a 10-12 ...The smaller bolt allows for a smaller bearing, so they can put a bigger cage around the bearing.
They look small, but hold up well

That's the end I run on my upper trackbar mount. The "eye" that the ball pivots in stretched - or killed the kelvar - in my XM rod end. It lasted me a complete 3 months with my Jeep being down one of those months. :eek: :eek:

alright well in my suspension design (in my head) i will have 4 links and therefore 8 heims. my truck will weight about 3500lbs, have about 350-375hp, and subject to a lot of mud, sand, salt, and water. whos got an idea on how long they will last before they wear out? i could deal with replacing them every 8 months or so, but if its the type of thing that ill have to replace hem 4 times per year i think ill be pursuing otherwise :(

Originally posted by Outlaw99TJ
That's the end I run on my upper trackbar mount. The "eye" that the ball pivots in stretched - or killed the kelvar - in my XM rod end. It lasted me a complete 3 months with my Jeep being down one of those months. :eek: :eek:

Damn, that sucks....I hope mine don't screw with me...I can't see the cage (eye) streching tho.

I don't run mine all that often, and never on the street, so I can't say how long the would last on a DD. But I have beaten the crap out of this set up (454 w/39" boggers) and I have no probs. with the rod ends.
The first ends I had (greaseable) lasted 3 days before I blew the cages apart and wiped out 2 coilovers in attica.

I just ordered HMR-12-14tt from qa-1 and the tech guy told me the grease fitting only cost 5% of the strength. He reccomended this part number and the grease fitting for my 4x4 rockcrawler/daily driver application.
Also these joint are rated at 55,600 before the grease fitting so still over 50,000 w/zirk according to qa-1

I was told I destroyed the heim because I had too much flex going against the "cage" of the heim.

This is the set-up on the heim:

http://a7.cpimg.com/image/7B/A0/8377467-659e-028001E0-.jpg

This is the kind of flex I have opposing it:

http://a6.cpimg.com/image/2C/E8/7974956-d4ea-028001E0-.jpg

I'll be changing the upper heim mount as soon as I throw a new front axle under the Jeep.


Edit: I believe I found where I screwed up on the pics.

Qa-1 is a great place to buy heim joints...Mark Williams sells "bungs" for welding them in DOM tube. S&W Race Cars sells them too. I'll get the Phone #'s 4 ya if you need them. :beer:

thanks for the slideshow...

i like the amount of flex you have, but as always i will lust for more :D

im going to run Aerostar coils all around with some looooooooooong links to lessen the amount of binding at the heims.

thanks :flipoff2:

Teabag,

Are you running SG heimed arms or your own?

Johnathan

Originally posted by Jtisdale
Teabag,

Are you running SG heimed arms or your own?

Johnathan
My own. I currently have 3/4x3/4 heims and I'm changing the larger 3/4x 7/8 heims where the 7/8 is the treaded portion. This is the same size as SG is using.
I'm changing to the larger treaded portion for the increase in strength; but primarily because the treads in my arms are getting loose from running without a jam nut.

I used 1 x 1 1/4 aurora heims on my rear 4 link. No idea how long they will last, although friends with similar setups have been running them for over 2 yrs now with no problems. I got mine for $59 through Dave at Poly Performance. Anyhow hope that helps.

Kevo

Originally posted by Ghetto Fab.
I used 1 x 1 1/4 aurora heims on my rear 4 link. No idea how long they will last, although friends with similar setups have been running them for over 2 yrs now with no problems. I got mine for $59 through Dave at Poly Performance. Anyhow hope that helps.

Kevo

Do you have the # where I can reach "Dave"????? Thanks:beer:

Originally posted by Shaker


Do you have the # where I can reach "Dave"????? Thanks:beer:

Website (http://www.polyperformance.com/)

He is Pig Pen on the board....

Yea, I got a bunch of the 1 1/4's in right now and will should have the a bunch of 1 1/4 tube adapters and high misalignment spacers coming in on Friday. I'll post some pics when I get a chance.

One thing you guys need to consider is misalignment angle. Sure the high dollar ones are strong and will last forever, but the misalignment angle if horrible (around 13 degrees). I ran the cheapo 2-piece 3/4-3/4 ends on my rear four link for almost 2 years before I replaced them. Sure, they were wore the hell out, but I never broke one. Now a days I run 2-piece "black bandits" from www.rodendsupply.com (about $12) which have both a high misalignment angle (roughly 26 degrees) and have a higher radial load rating then the regular cheap heims. Redesigning my 4-link, to get rid of rear steer) will allow me to use a lower misaligning heim joint, but for now I must make due. Also, before installing 2-piece rod ends, throw some petroleum jelly on the inside of the ball. Also using a 5/8-3/4 over 3/4-3/4 is always a good idea. Stronger and higher misalignment.

I got some 1 1/4 tube adapters in yesterday. Enjoy...
http://www.polyperformance.com/3ada.jpg
http://www.polyperformance.com/both.jpg
They are CNC machined from 1026 DOM.

Originally posted by Pig Penn
I got some 1 1/4 tube adapters in yesterday. Enjoy...
http://www.polyperformance.com/3ada.jpg
http://www.polyperformance.com/both.jpg
They are CNC machined from 1026 DOM.

How much $$$$$$$??

Originally posted by convertiyota


How much $$$$$$$??

$59.00 each for heim joint itself.....don't say how much for "bung"

I am not totally sure yet on the price on the "bungs". Probably about $14.00.

If anyone is looking for tube adapters for 3/4" and smaller rod ends I got mine from Coleman racing and am very happy with them. 3/4" are $4.65 each.

http://www.colemanracing.com/section/index.htp?id=642

Also, www.speedwaymotors.com is a good place to get 3/4"x5/8" rod ends at $25.95 each.