Heim Joints

has anyone actually tried the heim joint method in

http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/steering/bumpSteer_files/bump_steer.shtml
?

if so, how did it turn out and what year did you convert?

 

I put them on mine. Utilizing that exact thread. Mine is a different install (hi steer etc.) Havn't had a chance to drive it yet, but there is absolutely no slop in the steering.

 

look here....
page 2.. got em from spidertrax..

BUBBA

 

Here? http://www.spidertrax.com/fabrication.htm

 

Here's another source; http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF?PMPAGE=3836&PMK0NO=00000296820

 

where i get my stuff
Stock car products

 

This is very timely. I'm going to order up one of those and a couple of heims for the passenger side of the jeep. I'm running scout knuckles which are set up for a very long pitman arm. When used with a jeep pitman the turning circle is increased quite a bit. That special stud will let me run both the tierod and draglink on the back hole.

Thanks!

 

Yea, I tried it about two years ago and haven't had any trouble at all. No slop. I did it just like he said too!

 

i am able to get some scout knuckles for free ( actually i can have the whole front axle with a trw manual steering box, tie rods and draglink.

how difficult was it to replace the closed knuckles from with the scout open knuckles. did it give you a tighter turning radius?

my 69 has a dana 27 with closed knuckles. can't tell if the large turning radius is from the knuckles, the hack ps upgrade, or the 31" tires.

 

jim i noticed that you used the adapter so you could mount a the tie rod and draglink on the single hole passenger side knuckle. does it still seem strong against abuse.

i have heard that the heims will transfer more of the road/trail feel. true? has it become noisier with time?

thanks for the article. after i read it couple of times and looked at the images it made excellent sense! i may try this with a manual trw box with about 7 turns lock to lock and an 86 preairbag cherokee tilt column and wheel. i may still look for a saginaw with a 4 to 5 lock to lock if i can find one.

anything you would have done differently on yours?

 

You can't put dana 44 knuckles on a D25/27. I run a dana 44 front axle.

 

Zed,
I haven't noticed any problem with the thru-hole stack on the passenger side. I was worried that it would work itself loose but it hasn't at all. That bolt was torqued to spec for a 5/8" grade 8. I've only taken it out 4-wheeling once (gad, in two years!) w/o any trouble. Also, about 7000 miles on the road w/o trouble. Nothing has needed attention since I put it together and it hasn't gotten 'noisier'.

It sure steers better than the stock mess of gyrating worn-out linkages.

Anything I'd do differently? I'd try and find (or machine) an adapter that fits the tapers better, that stack of washers looks like hell.

 

cool. i looks like that's the way i'll go with the heims when i get some cash that isn't spoken for. for the rods you just measured between the centers of the holes (center of the nut holding the current tierods into the knuckles) right? i got 38 5/8 " which is real close to the article.

did you order the rods from rodends or have them made locally? i have a couple of speed shops here in town.

thanks

 

I think I ordered my joints from poison spyder customs. http://www.spydercustoms.com/index2.php

I think they had the best prices. The tubing and tube adapters I got from my local steel supply. They had left and right hand tube inserts.

 

thanks you guys. im going down to the local speed shops and make some inquiries this pm

 

Heims are good but I have heard that mud and slop will wear them out quickly. Anyone run some nasty goop with heim joints?

 

I've been running heims for over 2 years now and love 'em. One thing I recommend however, is using a safety washer under the bolt head to prevent the body of the joint from popping over the bolt head should the joint separate from the ball..

 

excellent idea!
so if i am using an aircraft kevlar lined heim joint 5/8's and 3/4 16 thread that's gonna be a BIG washer right? do they make em grade 8 or equivalent?

would it make sense to do that at all four joints? (again remember that i am the designated site paranoid )

 

You can get greasable ones if you run in the mud a lot. This way here you can purge out the goop.