Heim steering linkage

[FORD*DIEHARD]

I have seen Broncos with heim steering parts. As I was looking around i saw that "heim joint linkage " are NOT DOT approved. So my question is , are heim joints not good for daily driver vehicles that occassionally want to offroad? Besides looking cool, what are the pros/cons (if any)? If heim joints are not good for daily drivers, what would be a good upgrade set up? If you know the part/kit number (vendor) that would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time/help,

Sonny

 

[LSharpNM]

I have seen Broncos with heim steering parts. As I was looking around i saw that "heim joint linkage " are NOT DOT approved. So my question is , are heim joints not good for daily driver vehicles that occassionally want to offroad? Besides looking cool, what are the pros/cons (if any)? If heim joints are not good for daily drivers, what would be a good upgrade set up? If you know the part/kit number (vendor) that would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time/help,

Sonny

More wive's tales...

There are no laws I am aware of that state heims are illegal, nor am I aware of anyone that has ever been cited. Just run heims if you want and don't sweat it. The only con really is that maintaining proper torque is even more critical since they are not a press fit like tie rod ends. Running so called "1 ton" tie rods ends is easy enough though if you have any doubts about running heims.

 

[SteveL]

I heard they can be a problem if you have safety inspections do to not being dot approved. Same with deadlocks back in the day but now some are dot approved.

 

[ngsd]

I must be lucky that in my long life that I have never had an inspection.

 

[bronconut73]

SRE's (eroniously aka heims) are actually stronger than a stock style rod end.
Duff's kit comes with cotter pins so you can drill your nuts & bolts and install these cotters.

So no fear of loosening.
I take all of my vehicles to a special alignment shop here in O'Town. All of the racers and really really big four wheel drive trucks go to him. He really liked my SRE Duff steering. He couldn't believe I went that far.
Tightened up my steering too.
Good upgrade.
He laughed at the, "Its not DOT approved stuff"

 

[blubuckaroo]

I've had a car inspected after a serious accident by the CA MAIT Team.
They disassemble components for inspection on vehicles after some serious accidents. If they find that your vehicle was to blame because of of something you did to it, you could be financially responsible.
I don't know which states have a process like this, but it's serious stuff.

https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-ser...sciplinary-accident-investigation-teams-(mait)

 

[bmc69]

I've had a car inspected after a serious accident by the CA MAIT Team.
They disassemble components for inspection on vehicles after some serious accidents. If they find that your vehicle was to blame because of of something you did to it, you could be financially responsible.
I don't know which states have a process like this, but it's serious stuff.

https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-ser...sciplinary-accident-investigation-teams-(mait)

They have something similar here in MD. They kept my '78 Bronco in a secure compound and inspected it five ways to Sunday after it was involved in an accident with one fatality and several very seriously injured. I was not running heim end steering on that rig at the time...so I don't know if that would have been flagged. I doubt it would have been....unless it was clearly a contributor to the accident in some way. I've run heims on several of my EBs though.

 

[LSUpete]

I take all of my vehicles to a special alignment shop here in O'Town.

So....what's the name of this super special place?

 

[ngsd]

I've had a car inspected after a serious accident by the CA MAIT Team.
They disassemble components for inspection on vehicles after some serious accidents. If they find that your vehicle was to blame because of of something you did to it, you could be financially responsible.
I don't know which states have a process like this, but it's serious stuff.

https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-ser...sciplinary-accident-investigation-teams-(mait)

If that logic was applied to every modified Bronco, there would only be three left on the road. I agree that there is liability but there a re a lot worse things to worry about than Heims as they are safe when done right

 

[blubuckaroo]

If that logic was applied to every modified Bronco, there would only be three left on the road. I agree that there is liability but there a re a lot worse things to worry about than Heims as they are safe when done right

I have to disagree.
We all need to be responsible. If you've modified you vehicle with non-DOT stuff, you're taking a huge financial risk.
I know by experience.:-[

 

[Yeller]

I always laugh at the “DOT Approved” arguments it’s all a myth. Their are guide lines for lighting, tires, to some extent wheels, and brakes. All suspension items are based on sound engineering. SRE’s are sound if installed with proper hardware and within their operating limits just like a TRE. OEM’s use TRE’s because they are quiet, have great NHV and are easy to install on the assembly line. And if your worried about liability it’s simple do not modify your vehicle in any way, it’s as ludicrous as not installing disc brakes or a roll cage.

 

[KyleQ]

I've yet to break or have a hiem come lose and fall off my Bronco with 43" tires in ten years. I've had them get loose over time but never fail.

 

[JefeAZ]

Been talking with a local company(Ballistic Fabrication) and they asked if I wanted to run the Y link steering like I have now or the cross over style steering. They said the heim joint steering is a lot harder than ball joint steering and I will feel it in the steering since mine is mainly street use.

They recommended this Y link kit: https://www.ballisticfabrication.com/products/steering-kit-chevy-tie-rod-ends?variant=27222290311

As well as this TRE sleeve to flip the steering to help with bump steer and lower your angles on your drag link: https://www.ballisticfabrication.com/products/tapered-gm-tre-insert

 

[bronconut73]

So....what's the name of this super special place?

Bandag/Goodyear/Transworld on east side of John Young Parkway just north of Shader Road

Ask for Robert.

You'll know hes there if you see a modern Camaro G-Machine/Race car daily driver.

Robert is good people. He has been aligning my cars for over 25 years. I have followed him from Shop to Shop. But he's been here for atleast 15 years though.
He rents his own bay from Goodyear.


Tell him Steve in the early Bronco and lifted F250 says hey. Good people.


4083 N John Young Pkwy
4083 N John Young Pkwy
4083 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jfhPFzXaRZXPG156A

 

[ngsd]

The duff kit was good. Had to modify it a bit and trim the length but the install went well.