Steering joint and boot alternative?

[AJK]

I keep destroying my boots on the Synergy draglink and tie rods. I know its a cheap simple fix but considering changing out to heim joints. Has anyone done this and how did you connect to the pitman arm?

[Dave]

Not sure if these would work for the draglink, but Synergy sells them for the their tie rod.

Or maybe its time to go full hydraulic steering.

 

https://www.synergymfg.com/synergy-jeep-jk-low-misalignment-tre-dust-boots.html

 

[AJK]

That's not what I'm looking for but you have found a product I could use for another issue my buddies having.

[Fury22]

I assume you already solved your issue…but if youre asking how to switch to heims youd have to drill out the pitman arm to the bolt size you would run (recommend 3/4”) then get heims and high misaligment spacers (check out barnes 4wd). I had to go with a 7/8” heim with spacers that reduce down to 3/4” inorder to get enough misalignment as to not bind and either break spacers or loosen bolts.

[Weebz]

Pics please.  Lol

[AJK]

16 hours ago, Fury22 said:

I assume you already solved your issue…but if youre asking how to switch to heims youd have to drill out the pitman arm to the bolt size you would run (recommend 3/4”) then get heims and high misaligment spacers (check out barnes 4wd). I had to go with a 7/8” heim with spacers that reduce down to 3/4” inorder to get enough misalignment as to not bind and either break spacers or loosen bolts.

Nope LOL. Do you have some pictures you can post. I am tired of blowing out a boot evey big trip.

[Fury22]

Im not home so these are the only pics I have. One is from my high steer arm and the other is a friends currie setup at the pitman arm. Originally i had the pitman arm and high steer arm drilled out to 3/4” and bought 3/4” heims with 7/8” shanks for my custom made aluminum links. They got 3/4” high misalignment spacers which turned out not to be enough as i was binding at full articulation and loosening the bolts. So i had to get 7/8” heims with 7/8” shanks and 7/8” to 3/4” high misaligment spacers. So instead of the 3/4” ontop of 3/4”, the 7/8” reduces to 3/4 and slides into the heim to step down the diameter for the bolt. This in effect gives you a couple more degrees of misalignment which is what i needed.

 

so if your looking to just do one end youll have to fidure out the shank diameter of the drag link end and get the equivalent for the heim. And i would recommend what i did with the 7/8”-7/8” heim with 7/8” to 3/4” high misalignment spacer, with one of them being a saftey spacer, which has a large diameter cone to prevent the heim from sliding off if it were to break. Check out barnes 4x4 and youll see all the parts youd need. 
 

I originally only drilled the pitman arm to 5/8 but that turned out to be to big for the big bore arm as it didnt completely reem the hole out so i had a 5/8” bolt and it had a little bit of play and was able to wallow itself loose over time.  Sorry for long winded answer haha

[fiend]

2 hours ago, Fury22 said:

Im not home so these are the only pics I have. One is from my high steer arm and the other is a friends currie setup at the pitman arm. Originally i had the pitman arm and high steer arm drilled out to 3/4” and bought 3/4” heims with 7/8” shanks for my custom made aluminum links. They got 3/4” high misalignment spacers which turned out not to be enough as i was binding at full articulation and loosening the bolts. So i had to get 7/8” heims with 7/8” shanks and 7/8” to 3/4” high misaligment spacers. So instead of the 3/4” ontop of 3/4”, the 7/8” reduces to 3/4 and slides into the heim to step down the diameter for the bolt. This in effect gives you a couple more degrees of misalignment which is what i needed.

 

so if your looking to just do one end youll have to fidure out the shank diameter of the drag link end and get the equivalent for the heim. And i would recommend what i did with the 7/8”-7/8” heim with 7/8” to 3/4” high misalignment spacer, with one of them being a saftey spacer, which has a large diameter cone to prevent the heim from sliding off if it were to break. Check out barnes 4x4 and youll see all the parts youd need. 
 

I originally only drilled the pitman arm to 5/8 but that turned out to be to big for the big bore arm as it didnt completely reem the hole out so i had a 5/8” bolt and it had a little bit of play and was able to wallow itself loose over time.  Sorry for long winded answer haha

You might consider some safety washers on those heims. 
 

https://www.tmrcustoms.com/products/stainless-steel-safety-washers

[Crawl2Camp]

4 hours ago, fiend said:

You might consider some safety washers on those heims. 
 

https://www.tmrcustoms.com/products/stainless-steel-safety-washers

I used those on my PSC ram on the axle side and was really impressed with how it turned out.  
McMaster-Carr also sells them.

 

[Weebz]

Thanks Craig.  I really may need to consider doing this.  Have to see what they means for any geometry changes.   I’ll have my shop take a look next week.  Dropping mine off for a once over before Sand Hallow and see what he says.  

[AJK]

I assume the safety washer stops the link from dropping completely out if the Heim falls out?

[Fury22]

1 hour ago, AJK said:

I assume the safety washer stops the link from dropping completely out if the Heim falls out?

Correct. You can also get safety spacers which are high misalignment spacers with an enlarged cone that serves the same purpose

[AJK]

Good info thanks. I'm gonna keep my eye open for other options at Offroad Expo this week. I am happy with Synergy just like to swap end to a heim.

[Nice Little Jeep]

 I replaced mine with these, lockout-bushing-pair. note: do not to use synthetic grease. I did not know this.

https://fusion4x4.com/collections/2-5-ton-replacement-parts/products/tie-rod-lockout-bushings-pair

high-moly based petroleum lubrication 

https://www.rockjock4x4.com/CE-9013G

[Weebz]

I really may be off my mark but those bushings aren’t supposed to be used for the drag link.   They limit the rotational movement under flex.   They are designed to help keep the tie rod level.  Just might want to make sure it isn’t limiting your movement.   

[MIOffroadCustoms]

26 minutes ago, Weebz said:

I really may be off my mark but those bushings aren’t supposed to be used for the drag link.   They limit the rotational movement under flex.   They are designed to help keep the tie rod level.  Just might want to make sure it isn’t limiting your movement.   

This is my understanding as well.

[AJK]

On 10/18/2022 at 8:15 AM, Weebz said:

I really may be off my mark but those bushings aren’t supposed to be used for the drag link.   They limit the rotational movement under flex.   They are designed to help keep the tie rod level.  Just might want to make sure it isn’t limiting your movement.   

That's how I understand it as well.

[Nice Little Jeep]

On 10/18/2022 at 8:15 AM, Weebz said:

I really may be off my mark but those bushings aren’t supposed to be used for the drag link.   They limit the rotational movement under flex.   They are designed to help keep the tie rod level.  Just might want to make sure it isn’t limiting your movement.   

 

you are probably right, but they work great on both sometimes I sand against the grain.