>>>> the main issue I see for long term use(<under fairly normal conditions) with the Spherical Rod Ends(nicknamed "heim joints" because of inventor Lewis Heims, former owner of the Heim Bearing Company) vs. the OEM style tapered ball Tie Rod Ends is that the SRE/heim type of joint has no seals & the ones supposedly strong enough(<in that size) for steering linkages that everybodys using are non-greasable.... I have seen some seals & boots available for the SRE's,but nobody seems to use them>
http://www.sealsit.com/rodend.asp....
http://www.sealsit.com/rodendboots.asp ...... for those claiming SRE's aren't DOT legal , where is it exactly did Ya'll see this specific regulation on the type of ball & socket joints that are acceptable or are ya'll just regurgitating hear say from others..... following link is all I could find on DOT steering system regulations>>
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu...y=0901633480023967&keyword=hydraulic+steering .... it's just saying that universal joints & ball-and-socket joints shall not be worn, faulty or repaired by welding .... if anyone has found the DOT regulation/law against a specific type of ball& socket joint please post it........ as far as safety , a "heim" type joint with a retaining washer may actually be safer 'cause when a OEM type TRE comes apart there is nothing holding it in place when the ball comes out of the socket.......
>>> I'm still waiting for somebody to post the specific DOT regulation/(FMVSS)Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard regarding what specific type of steering system linkage components are legal or not legal ......... I don't own or sell a SRE/"heim" steering system & probably never will so I have nothing to gain except getting people to quit making statements about the illegality of something without definitive proof .......................... here's a link to the FMVSS standards which makes no mention of a specific type of steering linkage requirement
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FMVSS/ .....................the following DOT/government site has some Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ Site/pages/page2.html#Anchor-19914 .. the very first question is "Is there a need for DOT Approval?"...... the answer is NO... they don't approve vehicles or equipment parts , all they do set FMVSS standards to adhere by....it's the manufactures reponsibilty to make sure they meet all FMVSS that are current on the date of manufacture................. next link is to a steering system seller,they make a good point about trying to find steering system parts with a DOT approval/certification on them & seem to be correct according to the DOT's website
http://bulletproofsteering.com/statelaws.html >> ........................next link is to a discussion over the legality or illegality of full hydro steering
http://www.roninwheelers.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1518 ........ first post in that thread says what I found in my previous post> This is word for word the federal dot rules regarding the steering system
................(d) Steering system. Universal joints and ball-and-socket joints shall not be worn, faulty or repaired by welding. The steering gear box shall not have loose or missing mounting bolts or cracks in the gear box or mounting brackets. The pitman arm on the steering gear output shaft shall not be loose. Steering wheels shall turn freely through the limit of travel in both directions.
................(e) Power steering systems. All components of the power system must be in operating condition. No parts shall be loose or broken. Belts shall not be frayed, cracked or slipping. The system shall not leak. The power steering system shall have sufficient fluid in the reservoir.
.....................here's some good qoutes from that thread >>"Guys, I spent hours on the phone with the U.S. D.O.T. in Washington D.C. and finally ended up talking to someone in Accident Avoidance Division. He informed me that to date and I quote,"No safety standards have been issued regarding steering systems."
"The gentleman at DOT also informed me that the DOT does in NO WAY approve any product! They merely issue safety standards and any manufacturer producing items that fall under these standards must comply with said standard. If you read that something is "DOT Approved" it is usually the manufacturers inference that his product meets the DOT standards and NOT DOT's "Approval" ........"As for the pissing match that started this... the guy chanting "it's illegal" can go stand in the corner and chant till he turns blue. If he comes up with a copy of the law, or even a reference to the law, I might pay attention to him. But since I've looked for the same, I'm pretty comfy in reminding him that he should research his mantra before chanting it in public and making himself look foolish. The guy standing over there chanting "beadlocks are illegal" will keep him nice company" .............................................................................................................................................. >>>>>>>>>>>that's all my research for NOW, once again let me say my only intentions are to find a correct proof positive answer on the subject instead of all this hear say & I don't use or sell a SRE/"heim" joint steering system.... also since that full-hydro steering thread brought it up, please post the DOT/FMVSS regulation on beadlocks after you post the regulation/law regarding the specific type of steering system linkage components that are allowable....