A heim joint, also known as a rod end bearing, is a mechanical articulating joint. Such joints are used on the ends of control rods, steering links, tie rods, or anywhere a precision articulating joint is required, and where a clevis end. The advantage is that the ball insert permits the rod or bolt passing through it to be misaligned to a limited degree.
What are Heim joints used for?
Heim's joints are commonly used for the suspensions and steering systems of four-wheeled vehicles and racing cars, because they can handle heavy loads without deflecting.
Are Heim Joints Street Legal?
Before you go all-in on heim joints for your street-driven vehicle, it's essential to check your local laws and regulations to ensure their use is permitted. While it is true that some state inspections have strict guidelines about vehicle suspension modification, other states have little to no inspection process at all. So the best way to be sure is to check your local state regulations before doing any significant suspension modifications to your vehicle.
Why Use Heim Joints?
Heim joint kits are very popluar among many off-road riders and racers because they are durable and adjustable,such as steering motion, chassis bending and suspension articulation. let's take a look at some of the key reasons in details you should consider using heim joint kits in your projects.
Adjustability
One of the main attractions of heim joints is their adjustability. You can fine-tune the length of your links or bars to achieve precise adjustments for better handling or proper geometry. This level of customization is a significant advantage in race cars and other high-performance vehicles, where minute adjustments can mean the difference between winning and losing.
Strength and Durability
As mentioned earlier, heim joints are incredibly strong and durable, making them an excellent choice for any application where a joint must withstand heavy loads and constant movement. Off-road vehicles and race cars, in particular, can benefit from the use of heim joints, as they offer a significant upgrade in strength and longevity compared to rubber or poly bushings.
Life Span
When it comes to life span, heim joints truly shine. Their durability and strength mean they can outlast rubber or poly bushings in racing or off-road applications, providing you with a longer-lasting, more reliable solution for your vehicle's joints.
Heim Joints vs. Ball Joints vs. Tie Rod Ends
IIt's easy to confuse here because the shape of tie rod end, ball joint, and Heim's joint are similar, they use a ball-swivel design and often used interchangeably-they shouldn't be.
Ball joints are typically found on your vehicle’s control arms and allow the front wheel spindles to pivot in a range of directions as the suspension travels.
Tie rod ends are found in your steering system and connect the steering rack to the spindle, permitting the vehicle’s wheels to move side-to-side as the steering wheel is turned.
Heim joints simply refer to the rod end design and are not likely to be found in stock OE suspension or steering systems.
How to Measure & Install Heim Joints
For most applications, you order Heim joints based on the size and thread pitch. So it’s vital that you know exactly which size you’ll need.
In generally,the most important spec you should know for ordering Heim joints is the bore/stud size, which will determine the size of the rod end shank or bore you require. From there, you’ll need to determine the thread pitch of the bore or stud.
You have a few install options when it comes to Heim joints. The most popular may be threaded shank male rod ends. These install into a threaded bore, which means you’ll need to weld-in a threaded insert if you’re using hollow tubing or, if using a solid rod, you’ll need to drill and tap a threaded hole.
Then there are female rod ends. These feature a threaded bore receptacle that allows you to install them on a threaded rod—which means you may have to use a die to create one.
Lastly, you’ve got weld-in rod ends. These weldable Heim joints are really popular with the off-road crowd and for folks making a one-off custom setup. You simply weld the rod end housing to the rod itself.
Where to Buy Heim Joints
If you've decided that heim joints are the right choice for your project, the next step is to find a reliable source for purchasing them. One excellent online resource is www.hexautoparts.com which offers a wide range of heim joints in various sizes, materials, and configurations to suit your needs.
