Hem Joints

[Oilsmoke]

Is swaping out the tie rods with hem joints a Good idea ?

what is the size that fit the stock tie rods ?

[Cotton eyed Joe]

Thats what I plan on doing when I eventually build aluminum tie rods. I'll have to make an insert with the correct taper however, and I don't know if you can source that from any place imparticular.

If Heim ends are good enough for suspension in buggies and after market a arms, I think they'll work fine for a tie rod.

[evil]

try these places

 

http://www.kartek.com/test.htm

 

or baker presision in long beach ca, i dont know their link but ive bought heims from them for a few of my trucks and they have every size imaginable. later

[evil]

http://www.kartek.com/products/all/heims/heims.htm

 

straight to it

[boonman]

Is swaping out the tie rods with hem joints a Good idea ?

 

Nope. I tried. Unless you go with high angle heims. However, those are expensive. Heres what I did:

 

 

I made me up some 6061-T6 aluminum rods, and got me some 7/16" Ball joint style rod ends. Stud factory installed. I threaded my rods, and screwed the joints in. I then took a 7/16" drill and just cleaned out the hole in the spindle. (I already had made my steering stem with 7/16" holes in it) It was only a minimal amount of material taken out. Probably could be done with a file. Anyways, a ball joint style rod end or a high angle "heim" joint as y'all refer to them as will be the only thing that will give you enough misalignment to mount on the bike. I have 8 normal rod ends at home in the 7/16" dimension. Kind of made me mad I couldn't use them. They sported alluminum housings. Light as all fook. I may put them on the drag bike when I limit the suspension travel....

[ledofthezep]

I have the LS chrome a-arms & they have heims...I believe it's their older style, all us ball joints now from what I can tell. Kinda nice,..cause I can replace them if necessary...but I've yet to have problems, but also haven't put a beat'n on them yet. You can kinda see in this pic, the arms are fully adjustable, but only at the top ball joints...

[boonman]

Running a heim joint there isn't a problem at all Led. No misalignment on them when they are used at the frame end of an A-arm. But when you start angling a rod end (heim joint) to the extreme, a normal end will not allow for it. If you look at the angle that that rod end is at on my tie rod, you will see you much it is. A normal rod end will not handle such angles. That's why I had to switch to the ball joint style. The rod ends that are used at the spindle end of A-arms, are of a high angle design. The have "ears" that come off to allow the ball to swivel that much more without binding.

[ledofthezep]

Right on....I see what ya mean now.

[Oilsmoke]

Thx Booman . Here is my Second choice

Have you Seen the Tusk Sets? Ball joint stlye. There are a Rocky Mountian ATV

 

I not sure but I think there about 90 bucks for a Set . I look for the link later to night.

 

The reason i am looking is I have one worn out tie rod end .but the others are right behind them I am sure.

[boonman]

I made my own setup. I prefer to do it that way myself. I have never seen what you are talking about. but, shoot me a link and I'll check it out...

[Oilsmoke]

Here is The Tusk tie rod end kit Tell me what you think. they are 89.99

 

lot cheaper than stock too.

[Meat]

Heims on my Janssen A-arms

 

 

And heres the smaller heims that mount to the frame........

[Oilsmoke]

Them are damm good looking a-arm there Meat.

after i get my 370 setup and paids for I plan on a set of 2+ 1+ for my ride.

[DirtySanchezRacing]

Call K&M racing in Sturgis Ky (270-333-4004) ask for Keith they build custom a arms with all heim setups and even the tie rods to.

[boonman]

Excellent pics Meat!!! It shows perfectly how a high angle Heim joint is setup. Notice the spacers in between the spindle and the joint itself. It is turned down to allow for more misalignment than a normal end can handle without binding.