Heim Steering

[AssBurns]

I've been thinking about the Pro's and Con's about doing Heim Steering instead of continuing to use Tie Rod Ends. I know there are some Pro's and Con's on doing heims, but I'm trying to decide if it would be worth it to keep TRE's or go Hiems. My Inner tie rods are already shot after 3 months and 4 hard wheeling trips. THis could be because of low quality TRE's or just that TRE's can't keep up.

Pro's

• Stronger than TRE's
• More steering angle if done properly (Not a big issue here since I don't plan to increase steering angles

Con's

• Not sealed
• Noisier than TRE's
• Parts are not available at most auto parts stores
• More Expensive
• Could be more maintenance

I've never been a big fan of heims unless they are absolutely needed, because of the Con's listed above, but I'm starting to wonder if it would be worth the extra cost for the added strength. While on Dusy Ershim @rkntoy had an almost complete failure on his inner TRE. Something like that could be catastrophic.

 

[eimkeith]

If those were in a boot, I don't know what the actual down-side would be?

 

[madtaco461]

Looks like you are getting some steering bind. What direction was that?

Pro.
You do get increased travel with hiemed. Lots of long travel kits do this to get those big advertised travel numbers. I don’t like increasing the angle over the stock limit on an oem rack.

Con.
Next weak point is the stock rack. Time for a Saginaw box.

 

[AssBurns]

Looks like you are getting some steering bind. What direction was that?

Pro.
You do get increased travel with hiemed. Lots of long travel kits do this to get those big advertised travel numbers. I don’t like increasing the angle over the stock limit on an oem rack.

Con.
Next weak point is the stock rack. Time for a Saginaw box.

That was from rock crawling. @rkntoy must’ve hit a rock a little too hard and the inner tie rod was the week point.

I’m not really lookin for increased travel at this point (eventually doing LT though, so this we be something I’ll need to do eventually). I’m more looking for increased strength and longer lasting parts. All it takes to bend a tie rod is hitting a rock a little too hard. @theesotericone bent an outer tie rod on Dusy Ershim as well.

If those were in a boot, I don't know what the actual down-side would be?

You are probably right. A boot will keep things pretty dry and clean. I bet the stock boot can slide over that inner joint.

 

[Dukestaco]

Like @madtaco461 said you will find out what the weakest next link will be. I did life time warranty on the tierods I replaced. Keeping one old one for trail repair.

 

[rkntoy]

That was from rock crawling. @rkntoy must’ve hit a rock a little too hard and the inner tie rod was the week point.

I’m not really lookin for increased travel at this point (eventually doing LT though, so this we be something I’ll need to do eventually). I’m more looking for increased strength and longer lasting parts. All it takes to bend a tie rod is hitting a rock a little too hard. @theesotericone bent an outer tie rod on Dusy Ershim as well.


You are probably right. A boot will keep things pretty dry and clean. I bet the stock boot can slide over that inner joint.

I thought I recognized that. Pretty sure I only hit one rock out there.

 

[madtaco461]

This is where you want to look at compromise. Tie rod replacement or rebuild your rack. A good amount of your casual lt guys rather bend a tie rod as it is a cheap trail fix. I try to keep my truck pretty economical to wrench on so I rather blow out my inner joints. My outers are hiemed

 

[AssBurns]

Like @madtaco461 said you will find out what the weakest next link will be. I did life time warranty on the tierods I replaced. Keeping one old one for trail repair.

Yeah that might be a good idea to just lifetime tie rods. I carry a new set of spares for the trail, but never needed them myself yet. I'm just getting tired of replacing them often, then having to take the time out of my day to get another free alignment (Lifetime alignment FTW!). Tie rods are super easy trail repairs as long a it doesn't bind your CV's when they break, causing your CV's to fail a few turns down the trail... (@theesotericone)

I thought I recognized that. Pretty sure I only hit one rock out there.

Same rock that took out your lower link mount?

This is where you want to look at compromise. Tie rod replacement or rebuild your rack. A good amount of your casual lt guys rather bend a tie rod as it is a cheap trail fix. I try to keep my truck pretty economical to wrench on so I rather blow out my inner joints. My outers are hiemed

I do like cheap and easy trail fixes. I'd just rather eliminate them entirely, and slow down the constant worn out parts.
Why did you choose to do hiem outers over inners?

 

[rkntoy]

Same rock that took out your lower link mount?

I think different spot.

 

[Hank]

@AssBurns try inner tie rods from Lowrange. Their inner tie rods are bigger than OEM diameters

 

[AssBurns]

@AssBurns try inner tie rods from Lowrange. Their inner tie rods are bigger than OEM diameters

These? http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/1995-2004-toyota-tacoma-inner-tie-rod-end-left-or-right.html

Not a bad price either.

 

[Hank]

These? http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/1995-2004-toyota-tacoma-inner-tie-rod-end-left-or-right.html

Not a bad price either.

Yep! Also make the stronger ones for 2nd gen Tacoma for a killer price as well.

 

[madtaco461]

I do like cheap and easy trail fixes. I'd just rather eliminate them entirely, and slow down the constant worn out parts.
Why did you choose to do hiem outers over inners?

It just how my kit came. The steering extension uses a 3/4 heim joint.

 

[TRDrodeo]

I'd kill for heimed inners/outers. Single limiting factor of my downtravel in the front is steering angle. Isuzu put this stupid rack too high up.

I've tried contacting EMF rod ends for high angle inners and outers but after multiple back-and-forth messages they just left me hanging. Along with every fab shop with an insta, they either never get back to me or want a XXXX digit number for just heimed rods.

For my platform, it's been suggested than my rods are the same as FJ cruiser rods, but I've never had the opportunity to compare.

 

[AssBurns]

I'd kill for heimed inners/outers. Single limiting factor of my downtravel in the front is steering angle. Isuzu put this stupid rack too high up.

I've tried contacting EMF rod ends for high angle inners and outers but after multiple back-and-forth messages they just left me hanging. Along with every fab shop with an insta, they either never get back to me or want a XXXX digit number for just heimed rods.

For my platform, it's been suggested than my rods are the same as FJ cruiser rods, but I've never had the opportunity to compare.

I’d definitely look more into the thread patterns to see if they are the same. Might be a good option for you

 

[eimkeith]

These? http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/1995-2004-toyota-tacoma-inner-tie-rod-end-left-or-right.html

Not a bad price either.

wait; isn't that just a stock replacement?

 

[4Running Daily]

I bought the camburg inner clevises and I'm running a 3/4 FK heim on both sides for the LT kit. Just using a piece of .120 wall DOM as a tie rod

 

[AssBurns]

wait; isn't that just a stock replacement?

Yeah, it's just a cheaper than OEM with a much better quality than cheap Moog parts.

I bought the camburg inner clevises and I'm running a 3/4 FK heim on both sides for the LT kit. Just using a piece of .120 wall DOM as a tie rod

Yeah that's what I'm thinking I'll do, then just make longer DOM tube when I go LT

 

[4Running Daily]

Yeah, it's just a cheaper than OEM with a much better quality than cheap Moog parts.


Yeah that's what I'm thinking I'll do, then just make longer DOM tube when I go LT

I found 2 pieces in scrap that were perfect for like $10

 

[AssBurns]

I found 2 pieces in scrap that were perfect for like $10

Whatcha use? 1.25" x .120" wall?