3/4 or 7/8 heim steering

2stix

2stix

NAXJA Forum User
Location
fallbrook Ca.
getting ready to build a new steering set up with 1 1/2" .250 wall dom. but am undecided on what size heim joints to use. i noticed ballistic sells a 7/8" set up but couldn't find anyone on here useing it. most seem to use the 3/4". is the 7/8"X5/8" overkill? my front wheels should clear as they are 15"X8" with 3" backspace. any reason NOT to use the beafier 7/8? heim?
 
I think 3/4" is enough but there's nothing wrong with running 7/8". If you can get the DOM local, order up some heims from RuffStuff and build your own steering, it'll be a lot cheaper that way. I ordered some today and with the 20% off they were hella cheap.
 
well thats why i made the thread. i all ready have a bunch of 1 1/2" .250 DOM. but to use 7/8" heims i would have to get the inserts from somewhere else as ruffstuff doesnt have any that will work with 1"ID. i can reem out the end of the tubing to 1 1/8 and use the inserts from ballistic, but i wanted to keep everything with one of our sponsors. just when i put a 3/4 heim i had laying around up to the 1 1/2" tubing, it looked kind of small. i will also be ordering the hardware to build the long arms too since i have some 2" .250 DOM. and plan to use ruffstuffs 1 1/4" heims. and of course make a new track bar with probably 7/8" heims. if they had a nice track bar mount id probably order that up too, but i can make it no problem. so as you can see i have a decent size order to make, but just wanted to make sure i get what i want/need. i think i will go with the 7/8" and deal with the inserts later. you cant beat the 20% deal right now.
 
i am running ballistic steering with the 7/8" heims and have no problems or regrets. i feel like going a little stronger when i had the chance was worth the piece of mind. is it overkill? of course. but i know i wont have to worry about it.
 
are you guys useing 5/8" or 3/4" bolts? i have yet to look closely to see if you can drill the steering arms to 3/4"safely. and you cant get the 7/8" heim with a 5/8" bore without useing the missalignment spacers on both the steering rod and tie rod.
 
I drilled my knuckles and pitman out to 3/4" and has worked well for 2 years. The 1 1/2" DOM, 3/4" heims and inserts were picked up at Balistic Fab in Tucson. Makes a tough steering setup.
 
I havent installed it yet, but my next generation steering is 1.5x.250" DOM with 7/8x7/8 rod ends, and 5/8" step down inserts.

Its pretty big, but not 'too big'.

On the flip side, Goatman has run many seasons and 2 King of the Hammers races on 3/4" steering hardware, 2 races, several good rollovers and a LOT of abuse - his steering is still solid and tight.

You won't go wrong either way.
 
cal said:
I havent installed it yet, but my next generation steering is 1.5x.250" DOM with 7/8x7/8 rod ends, and 5/8" step down inserts.

Its pretty big, but not 'too big'.

On the flip side, Goatman has run many seasons and 2 King of the Hammers races on 3/4" steering hardware, 2 races, several good rollovers and a LOT of abuse - his steering is still solid and tight.

You won't go wrong either way.
Click to expand...


Is that the steering links I destroyed in one weekend of wheeling in the Sierras over the summer?
 
Phil said:
Is that the steering links I destroyed in one weekend of wheeling in the Sierras over the summer?
Click to expand...

when you broke a wheel, a steering box, and ripped a pitman arm in half?

yeah, you destroyed one of the rod ends then. the rest are still good. ;)
 
Sorry to hijack-
I'm thinking about running 1" hex stock with 5/8" heims to steer WJ knuckles & 31" tires on 15x7 steelies. Enough beef?
 
well i ended up ordering all 7/8"x3/4" heims with 5/8" misalignment spacers. the tube inserts can be turned down on my lathe to 1 1/8" and i will ream the tubing to match. that should still leave enough material on both pieces to get a strong bond and not distort the threads while welding. i do like that pitman arm you posted a link to, but for over $200? i may try and replicate it myself, or something similar. i need to either make or buy new track bar mounts. any decent upper track bar mounts for a good price available? thanks for all the input guys, keep it coming, alot of good info.
 
lowrange2 said:
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=37_41&products_id=338

Am I reading this correctly that this rod end will accept a 3/4 bolt? or does it use a 5/8 bolt with the missallignment spacer?
Click to expand...

with misalignment spacer you will have a 5/8" bore. the heim bore itself is 3/4". so if you do not use the misalignment spacer, you would use a 3/4" bolt. i went with all 7/8" heims with 3/4" bores that use a 5/8 spacer so i can use a 5/8" bolt for the tie rod/drag link bolt at the knuckle.
 
See, i don't remember what the initial bore is on the pitman arm or what the highsteer arms are drilled to. I need to go measure that...

Where did you find the stepdown spacers. I didn't see any. I'll need them for the tie rod... if I can use the 5/8s bolts all the way around...
 
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