Heim Joints

[savage]

I 'm curious what type of hemi joint, have you guys used on track bar? I thinking of changing the end that bolts to the frame with a hemi joint and leaving the axle end urethane bushings. My track bar is 7/8 -14 threads and 9/16 bolt. I know hemi transmit vibration so I think if I leave the axle urethane, it will help. My 74 is not a daily driver so not worried to much. I've been looking at Barnes 4wd XM12-14-CR Heat Treated Chromoly 7/8-14x3/4 RH Magnum Series HEIM, I like it because it has 4 inch long threads for good engagement , I'm thinking of using 3/4 High misalignment spacers ss to 9/16 hole.
Thanks Dave

 

[Yeller]

Those are nice units and will have a nice long life. I have the 3/4” version on both ends of mine, are 15 years old and going strong. I have done a lot of track bars with hiems and always been very happy.

 

[savage]

Those are nice units and will have a nice long life. I have the 3/4” version on both ends of mine, are 15 years old and going strong. I have done a lot of track bars with hiems and always been very happy.

Thanks Yeller, so I ordered Barnes 4wd magnum series in 7/8. I think it will free up track bar, so it will move easier.

 

[bigmuddy]

Are you making your own or retrofitting an aftermarket trac bar? I have been curious about doing something similar with an old adjustable that is on my bronco at the moment. Anything to tighten up the undercarriage is a good thing as far as driving goes, IMO.

 

[jamesroney]

This is a pic of my 2000 TJ with an Early Bronco width High Pinion Dana 44. The trac bar has a Currie Johnny joint on the frame side, and a Spherical rod end (Heim joint) on the axle side. The Heim has a 9/16 diameter thru bolt.

The rod end wore out after less than 40,000 miles. Ended up with about 1/8 inch of lateral play. Caused a noisy clunk over time. I replaced the end and welded on a 77 Bronco (frame side) oval urethane bushing.

If you are going to use a heim joint...find the biggest one that will fit, and then go bigger.

 

[savage]

Are you making your own or retrofitting an aftermarket trac bar? I have been curious about doing something similar with an old adjustable that is on my bronco at the moment. Anything to tighten up the undercarriage is a good thing as far as driving goes, IMO.

Retrofitting a older bar, I bought the James Duff heavy duty track bar end, but the threaded end was 3/4 and the one I have is 7/8, so I found a 7/8 hiem joint with long threads 4 inches. So we'll see if it frees up the suspension.

 

[Yeller]

High quality hiems will last a very long time. Mine are on their second vehicle, have a bunch of road miles and 1000’s of high quality dirt miles.

 

[savage]

This is a pic of my 2000 TJ with an Early Bronco width High Pinion Dana 44. The trac bar has a Currie Johnny joint on the frame side, and a Spherical rod end (Heim joint) on the axle side. The Heim has a 9/16 diameter thru bolt.

The rod end wore out after less than 40,000 miles. Ended up with about 1/8 inch of lateral play. Caused a noisy clunk over time. I replaced the end and welded on a 77 Bronco (frame side) oval urethane bushing.

If you are going to use a heim joint...find the biggest one that will fit, and then go bigger.

I'm going to leave the urethane bushing on the axle side, and use the hiem joint on the frame side.

 

[savage]

Well ,I got my 7/8-14x34 hiem joint from Barnes 4WD. Look to be very good quality. Hope it warms up this week end to put this on my track bar , but still waiting on my spacers to reduce it from 3/4 to 9/16 hole.

 

[savage]

Well my misalignment spacers came in, so I guess I don't have any excuses, but man it's cold .Time to put heater in garage.

 

[savage]

Well, got the new 7/8 hiem installed. I could tell wright away that the suspension didn't fell like it was binding, felt like it moves more freely.

 

[savage]

Finally done with track bar and drop bracket. Replaced the 9/16 bolt in the old location with a 5/8 bolt, fits a lot better and new spacer for the brackets old location. Everything tight and torqued, ready for spring and summer. One project down, many more to do, I though being retired was relaxing

 

[DirtDonk]

Are you going to have a spare joint handy in case you ever have a problem with that one?
Since it’s not a standard off the shelf part, that seems like it might not be a bad idea.

 

[bmc69]

I've built all my custom track bars to use 3/4" heim joints and have never had the first problem or failure.

 

[Yeller]

I’m with bmc69. I wouldn’t worry about it, have never had a failure with a 3/4”, even doing cart wheels hard enough to beat all 4 wheels off the car.

 

[savage]

Are you going to have a spare joint handy in case you ever have a problem with that one?
Since it’s not a standard off the shelf part, that seems like it might not be a bad idea.

Hey Paul, I'm not to worried But to answer your question I do have a spare This is something I have always wait to try so we'll see how well it works, it is a 7/8-14 hiem joint, so I would think it should do fine. I can all ready feel a difference in the suspension more relax and flexy, if that makes any sense.
Dave

 

[savage]

I’m with bmc69. I wouldn’t worry about it, have never had a failure with a 3/4”, even doing cart wheels hard enough to beat all 4 wheels off the car.

I've notice a lot of people love them or hate them I was looking at johnny joints but you can't get them 1 3/4 wide and I haven't seen a 7/8-14 thread. I see a lot of people use Barnes 4WD hiem joints and they have my size 7/8 -14, in 4 inch thread length, so I'm looking forward to see how well it flexes.

 

[Yeller]

I think you’ll like it fine. I just put a track bar in my daily driver with a 7/8-14 Heim on each end. Only used 7/8 because I had them and am out of inventory of 3/4”. I expect them to have a very long happy life. I have the same joints on my bronco in 3/4. They are all over 10 years old and as tight as they were when new.