Track bar???

[NYLES]

Whats the pros and cons of using hiems on a track bar? can a adj track bar be converted to hiems?

 

[70_Steve]

Whats the pros and cons of using hiems on a track bar? can a adj track bar be converted to hiems?

I run BC Broncos adjustable track bar. I liked the idea of one end being poly bushings and one end being a rod end. The track bar seems to take most of the hard hits from wheeling, so I like that I have the bushing on one end to absorb at least some of the shock.

As to converting an adjustable track bar to use heims... Without seeing what you got, it's hard to say what you can do with reasonable effort.

 

[Apogee]

I don't know about yours, but my adjustable track bar could be easily converted to heims with some weld-on bungs. Cut off the existing bushing mounts, machine the bungs to fit the ID of the tube (unless you can find some to fit off the shelf) and weld them on.

 

[NYLES]

Guess Ill investigate what size heim will screw into the adj end?

 

[JohnJohn]

I forget why but Chuck at BC had a very good reason why he only put a Hemi on one end.

 

[Viperwolf1]

I think you want some cushion or the track bar mount at the frame is going to take a beating.

 

[snick]

I forget why but Chuck at BC had a very good reason why he only put a Hemi on one end.

From BC's website:
"We looked into using a heim joint on the lower also but found that if the jam nut slipped the bar would rotate and jam againsed the diff cover and either bend the track bar or the diff cover. The upper bushing is the one that usually goes bad and has the most stress on it."

 

[JWMcCrary]

I think you want some cushion or the track bar mount at the frame is going to take a beating.

Probably true, but for what it's worth, my stone crusher adjustable track bar has rod ends on both ends, been running since 2006. In 2008 I removed the drop bracket because it was showing stress at the frame and added a riser on the axle. It's been good since. After removing the drop bracket and adding the riser I had to shorten the bar some, it's adjusted almost as short as it will go. Here's the best pic I could find.

 

[BroncoJAK]

I put one on Roberts rig. It was a kit from Ruff Stuff. I bent the tube to duplicate the adjustable one it had on it. As far as absorbing any impact, you can't tell any difference in the 2.

 

[01Dudley]

http://www.dufftuff.com/Adjustable_Track_Bar_1966_75_Bronco_p/5403.htm

We use bushings on both sides of our adjustable track bar and haven't had any articulation issues, so I guess the real question is what are you try'n to accomplish with a heim?

 

[garberz]

I have a straight track bar with heims on both ends. The heim on the frame end wears before the axle end, I get about two years, then it develops a little play. So I agree with Viper, the frame end takes a beating. Maybe a bushing on the frame end would last longer? IDK.
I like to believe you get a little more rotational movement under severe flexing, using hems.

Mark

 

[ransil]

I have a bushing on the frame end of mine and wear them out every year or 2.

 

[nvrstuk]

I was replacing both bushings e v e r y year so I went to heims on each end on a bar from Perf. Unltd... bought it in about '97 or '98 and it lasted till last year... sure beats experiencing the death wobble every year!