Which joints for track bar

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Which joints would be best to use for the ends of track bar?

I'm looking for something that is extremely low maintenence, yet allows for pretty good flex.

I've heard hiems get dirty and wear out fast but I haven't really heard anything of the other bushings or rod ends.

I will be using the Ballistic steering kit w/Chevy TREs if that matters.

**Edit** This is an EB44 swap

 

[Maverick]

This is what I'm using for the track bar on my SAS. After much research I decided on a hiem joint at one end and a ballistic bushing at the other. The hiem joint will give me the movement I want while the bushing will provide some cushion. I've heard that with running two hiems you can really feel the jolts from your suspension cycling. At the same time running two bushings could cause some binding. So I settled in between. You really dont have much of a choice. Two bushings or two rod ends of some sort (hiems, johnnyjoints) or a blend of both. No matter what kind of rod end you get, it's eventually going to wear out. Some are rebuildable (johnnyjoint). I thought about running a johnnyjoint on one end just for that fact, but then realized I could buy 2-3 heims for the cost of one johnnyjoint. I don't know how quick hiems wear out, but it can't be too fast or they wouldn't be as popular as they are. Got all my stuff from ballistic fab including the DOM for the bar itself. Hope this helps.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

How much did you spend on all the parts from Ballistic?
Was it under $100
I've already ordered just over $500 worth of parts from Ballistic. I think I'm going a little overboard with my SAS. I need to put a budget on this project.

Any opinions from anyone else? Or is Mav's plan the way to go?

 

[Maverick]

For everything including the DOM and shipping it was like $110. Pretty reasonable IMO. It would be even cheaper if the bushing end wasn't adjustable and was just a bushing (which they also sell) but I wanted as much adjustability as I could get.

 

[c_note]

im using a poly bushing on the frame mount and nylon bushing (almost a hard plastic) on the axle mount. im using 1 1/4 chromoly tubing for the trac bar.

what size tubing are you guys using?

 

[wahlstrom1]

I have a cut down TJ track bar, running the stock bushing on one end, and a heim on the other for adjustability and flex.

-andrew

 

[Maverick]

im using a poly bushing on the frame mount and nylon bushing (almost a hard plastic) on the axle mount. im using 1 1/4 chromoly tubing for the trac bar.

what size tubing are you guys using?

I have used those nylon bushings before on a traction bar and had problems with them cracking. They're probably under a lot less stress on a trac bar. Wonder how long they'll last. For my trac bar I am using 1.25" DOM.

 

[JohnnyU]

im using a poly bushing on the frame mount and nylon bushing (almost a hard plastic) on the axle mount. im using 1 1/4 chromoly tubing for the trac bar.

what size tubing are you guys using?

What wall thickness? I used 1.25"ODx0.125" sleeved with 1.5"ODx0.125" so it's essentially the same as 1.5"ODx0.25". Granted that's a full-size truck with a 60 and 38's.

A smaller rig, axle, and tires would naturally see less force, and need less material.

 

[c_note]

What wall thickness?

mine is .120 wall. i think it wil be ok for my trac bar and drag link but im using the same size tubing for my tie rod which may be a bit week cuz its so much longer.

 

[Toreadorranger]

mine is .120 wall. i think it wil be ok for my trac bar and drag link but im using the same size tubing for my tie rod which may be a bit week cuz its so much longer.

I wouldnt even bother making a .120 wall tierod, its going to bend and get bashed the first time you use it.

 

[TireIron]

I'm running the superlift adjustable trac-bar for the EB with poly bushings at both ends, but then again this is a 40,000 mile plus a year daily driver...