Tie rods ends

[K2KK]

Just wondering if anyone has changed from the stock ends to the Heinz ball ends(I think that's what they are called)?
I have had to make some shims and have inserted some bushings in my steering arms and the rig is still loose on the road. It's better than it was before but I want my steering to be a bit tighter. Not looking for perfection just when I am on the highway to not have to correct all the time.
Any better ideas out there?

Keith

 

[mooker82]

Do you have stock steering or Mini truck power steering? How does the center arm look? What kind of shape is the steering box in?

 

[malcb]

Just wondering if anyone has changed from the stock ends to the Heinz ball ends(I think that's what they are called)?

Can't help with the sttering but I have not heard of Heinz ball ends and if you google that you get this thread, google must have a bot on this site 24/7.

Do you have a link to a picture?

 

[rusty_tlc]

I think he means Hiem joints.
AFAIK they are not DOT approved.

 

[K2KK]

Sorry my nomenclature is lacking on these.. It is the Hiem joints. I do have a spring over with what they call a high steer arm. The rig has mini truck front end. The center arm is tight and the box is in good shape. No play.
Rusty_tlc have you used thes on your rig? They seem alot tighter and a bit stronger. A friend said that they will not last as long either. I guess I am just tired of fighting with my tapered ends.

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Yes hiem joints will get sloppy after awhile most high dollar ones last longer. Maybe a tre upgrade would work better I see most "hardcore" rockrig still use 1 ton tre. To do heim joints right you will have to set the arms up with double shear for safety so they are not a quick fix either.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Sorry my nomenclature is lacking on these.. It is the Hiem joints. I do have a spring over with what they call a high steer arm. The rig has mini truck front end. The center arm is tight and the box is in good shape. No play.
Rusty_tlc have you used thes on your rig? They seem alot tighter and a bit stronger. A friend said that they will not last as long either. I guess I am just tired of fighting with my tapered ends.

I have the All Pro Hy Steer kit that uses 80 series TRE's.
I re-torqued them at 100, 500, and 1000 miles. Then I check them after every hard trail run. they seem to be staying tight.

 

[malcb]

Sorry my nomenclature is lacking on these.. It is the Hiem joints.

I was going to ask if you meant rose joints, thats the name we use for the in the UK, would have just added to the confusion. I haven't used them in steering but in suspension systems them do wear quite quickly as others have said.

For road use any modifcation to steering are not appreciated by UK insurance companies.

 

[K2KK]

I have the All Pro Hy Steer kit that uses 80 series TRE's.
I re-torqued them at 100, 500, and 1000 miles. Then I check them after every hard trail run. they seem to be staying tight.

That's good information rusty_tlc. My concern is that the PO who did the resto on my rig and I helped him some how used arms and pitman with different taper dimensions. I will google the All Pro out. it seems that the consensus is to keep the regular style tre's. I want something that will last, stay tight and not burn through the boots every month. This is an area that I don't really trust my novice 'ing. It's not a good feeling when you are floating around on the highway.

 

[K2KK]

I was going to ask if you meant rose joints, thats the name we use for the in the UK, would have just added to the confusion. I haven't used them in steering but in suspension systems them do wear quite quickly as others have said.

For road use any modifcation to steering are not appreciated by UK insurance companies.

Ahh...a rose by any other name is still a rose...lol Insurance company's in the states have never asked me what type of steering is being used. When I was in the military in Germany they did auto inspections and actually looked all over the vehicles. Sop I can see where they would frown on that. Thanks for piping in.

Keith

 

[cruiserjunkie]

I would give luke at 4x4 labs a call if you are looking at getting new arms and tre's he'll steer you right I have the 80 tre's but the chevy one ton tre are alot cheaper I'm very happy with my system