Stinkin, Heim Joints...

[TwistedCopper]

I installed a RE 1600 adjustable trackbar a while back. What a mistake

Good results but now the heim joint at the frame end is already shot. It's making a popping noise when I turn.

Dilemma:
I can replace the joint easily enough, and they don't break the bank, BUT..

I don't want to keep replacing them. The factory mount has been drilled out to 5/8" to accept the larger RE unit so going back to stock or getting an adjustable with a stock type bushing is a no-go.

If I want to get regular bushings in ther, I'll have to spend another $200+ and get Rusty's with the heavy dut mount. This will no question be the last heim joint I put on a daily driver. It didn't last but maybe a hair over 10K miles.

I'm pretty ****ed off I didn't use a little foresight and get something other than a heim joint type trackbar.

	Track bar A track bar is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle. While the purpose of the rear suspension of an automobile is to allow the wheels to move vertically with respect to the body, it is undesirable to allow them to move forward and backwards, or from side to side. It is this latter movement that the track bar is designed to prevent. It is a simple device, consisting of a rigid bar running sideways in the same plane as the rear axle, connecting one end of the axle to the car body or chassis on the opposite side of the vehicle. The bar is attached on either end with pivots that permit it to swivel upwards and downwards only, so that the axle is, in turn, allowed to move in the vertical plane only.

[Snitty]

could you weld plates back over the 5/8 holes and drill stock size holes in?

[Bounty__Hunter]

The upper track bar mount bolts to the unibody, it could be replaced if you wanted to go back to stock.

At your lift height, I would have just redrilled the lower hole for the front track bar and been done. It gets redrilled .5" to .75" toward the driver's side for 3" to 5" or so of lift. PLenty of metal there to do it safe.

	Track bar A track bar is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle. While the purpose of the rear suspension of an automobile is to allow the wheels to move vertically with respect to the body, it is undesirable to allow them to move forward and backwards, or from side to side. It is this latter movement that the track bar is designed to prevent. It is a simple device, consisting of a rigid bar running sideways in the same plane as the rear axle, connecting one end of the axle to the car body or chassis on the opposite side of the vehicle. The bar is attached on either end with pivots that permit it to swivel upwards and downwards only, so that the axle is, in turn, allowed to move in the vertical plane only.

[TwistedCopper]

Well Bounty I have nearly 4.5" of lift. I tried it, drilled a hole as close to the end as I could and it was too far off. Hence the adjustable trackbar. I could get a new stock mount and get rustys "regular" adjustable. I guess I'll have to look for one on Naxja or price one from the stealership.

Snitty - that would work if I knew how to weld
Maybe someday I'll somehow find the time to learn... I sure would love fabbing my own stuff.

I guess for the short term (and cheap route) I'll get another end/joint for the RE bar. I just spent $$ on LCA's, a carb for the YJ, and an alignment. No fun money for a while now.

Thanks for the ideas.. eventually I'll get rid of that heim joint. I understand they offer great articulation but damn 10K miles???

	Track bar A track bar is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle. While the purpose of the rear suspension of an automobile is to allow the wheels to move vertically with respect to the body, it is undesirable to allow them to move forward and backwards, or from side to side. It is this latter movement that the track bar is designed to prevent. It is a simple device, consisting of a rigid bar running sideways in the same plane as the rear axle, connecting one end of the axle to the car body or chassis on the opposite side of the vehicle. The bar is attached on either end with pivots that permit it to swivel upwards and downwards only, so that the axle is, in turn, allowed to move in the vertical plane only.

[ROGLSTUBB]

I dont know what type of heim joint the lift already uses but there are permanate lubed heim joints that are not suppossed to get loose. I cant remember for sure but I beleive the were teflon coated and were ordered thru this company. www.mscdirect.com. I use them in the sway bar discos I fabbed and I have not had a problem.

	Swaybar A sway bar (also stabilizer bar, anti-sway bar, roll bar, or anti-roll bar, ARB) is an automobile suspension device. It connects opposite (left/right) wheels together through short lever arms linked by a torsion spring. A sway bar increases the suspension's roll stiffness—its resistance to roll in turns, independent of its spring rate in the vertical direction.

[TwistedCopper]

Originally Posted by ROGLSTUBB

I dont know what type of heim joint the lift already uses but there are permanate lubed heim joints that are not suppossed to get loose. I cant remember for sure but I beleive the were teflon coated and were ordered thru this company. www.mscdirect.com. I use them in the sway bar discos I fabbed and I have not had a problem.

I will definately check those out, thanks!