Ball vs. Hiem Joints

imtarnished · Apr 10, 2006

Hey all, It seems that I will bend/snap a tie rod end at the thread quite often, this is my 3rd this month (1 snapped, 1 bend bad enough to need a swap asap, and the I just bent replaced snapped one a little), just from my regular trail riding. Again I'm not doing anything crazy, it's just really rutted out where I ride, and if my wheel get's hung up on the side of the rut when comming out *poof* another bent one.

Soo what I was thinking is either go with a set of these http://stores.ebay.com/The-Quad-Parts-Guy-LLC_Heim-and-Ball-Joints_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ6QQftidZ2QQtZkm, Either the 1/2 or the 3/4 ones. I'm not sure yet. I'm not worried about the maintenance that heim joints take (packing them w/ grease, and a wrap, and regular checking/regreasing). I just want something stronger :-[...

Anyone have any ideas that could help me out? Or anyone have heim joints or something more ballsy than the stock ball joints?
~Bill
p.s. just saw these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ASR-Raptor-350-660-700-Pro-Racer-Tie-Rods_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43974QQitemZ4629343620QQtcZphoto, maybe I'll go with the whole tie rod kit w/ the hiem joints, who knows...

yamarider · Apr 10, 2006

Maintainance on heims is a pain in the bunghole, but there are other options. I think the best option is a honda-style tie rod conversion kit, which uses a male tie rod and female tie rod ends, a much stronger setup. I've seen them a few places, I thing the best deal I saw was on rockymountainatv.com ($90 maybe, don't quote me on that though) The kit contains all 4 ends and both rods

boxhead · Apr 11, 2006

I think they are made by tusk though, not exactly the strongest aftermarket parts available. They might be decent though, I haven't met anyone that has dealt with them before.