: Bushings or Heim joints?


GBRAVO
11-04-2002, 12:54 PM
I am running a 4 links rear q-elliptic suspension full heim jointed, lower are parallel and uppers are from chassis to center of diff.

But the problem is that I am suffering of "rounded" eyes on the upper/right/front bolt hole and lower/left/rear bolt hole.

I assume this is caused by the different arc of movement of lower links when articulated that try to "squeeze" the axle housing and the rigid joints can not absorb that.

But I see several rigs with same set up.

Did you suffer similar problem? Could I solve this using bushings or silent Blocks?

What is better, Bushings or Heim joints??

BillaVista
11-04-2002, 03:19 PM
I would stick with Heims - using bushings, you will likely tear them up pretty quickly.

I would make the braket holes (the part that are "ovalling out" of thicker material, make the fit between bolt and hole as tight as possible (drill undersize and ream to final size if possible), and perhaps use a larger bolt / Heim joint. Also, do the bolt up to 80% of the maximum torque (values on my website in the ref. section), use a locking nut, and/or thread locker.....loose fasteners spell trouble.

Also - q-ellips can exhibit "too much" flex, so make sure bump stops and limiting straps are used to limit movement to useable ranges without tearing up the mounts.