Heim Joint Rear Sway bar end links

zopperman

zopperman

Moderator
I saw this idea from [MENTION=59624]linus[/MENTION] (not sure if you're on here too) on 120. I'll be making these soon and figured I would share the link.

avy2ymu9.jpg


McMaster-Carr
Qty 1. ASTM A193 Grade B7 Alloy Steel Threaded Rod, Plain Finish, 3/8"-24 Thread, 2' Length – Part number 98957A805
Qty 2. Steel Ball Joint Rod End, 3/8"-24 Right-Hand Female Shank, 3/8" Ball ID, 13/16" L Thread – Part number 60645K341
Qty 2. Zinc-Plated Steel Washer for Ball Joint Rod End, Fits 3/8" Shank Size – Part number 95034A300

Lowes
Qty 2. Grade 8 2” bolts
Qty 2. Grade 8 3/8"-24 Thread nylock nuts
Qty 2. Grade 8 3/8"-16 Thread nylock nuts
Qty 2. Packs of 3/8” grade 8 washers
Qty 2. 3/8x1/2x1-1/2" Steel Spacer (as mentioned above)
Red Loctite (used to secure the heims to the rod)

Total for everything: ~ $45

A few notes:
1) The shank on the heims add ½” in length to the overall link length, so to get it to the 6.5” overall length that I was looking for I had to trim 1/2” off of the Energy spacer that the rod runs through.
2) For the steel spacer that goes through the sway bar, I cut one in half and then pressed it into the sway bar with a c-clamp with no drilling to the sway bar. Once pressed in I cut it down and grinded it flush to the sway bar.


link: Custom(ish) Extended Rear Sway Bar Links Write-up - Page 3 - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

:thumb3:
 
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Zak, great idea sharing this... I have these parts in the basement already and I'm contemplating a slight modification to Linus' design to make them adjustable. I believe this can be accomplished by simply replacing the energy tube piece with two nuts (one to adjust and one to lock in the adjustment). the only real downside I see is that this would leave a good portion of the threaded rod exposed to the elements (road salt here in PA is quite bad as you know...)

Unless I'm missing something I feel like this slight modification will provide the same functionality as these End Links or Quick Disconnects | WabFab Off Road at a third of the price.

I also ordered 4 of these instead of Qty 2. Zinc-Plated Steel Washer for Ball Joint Rod End, Fits 3/8" Shank Size – Part number 95034A300.... so I can put one on each side of the heim. Just my personal preference though...
 
NuclearN8 said:
Zak, great idea sharing this... I have these parts in the basement already and I'm contemplating a slight modification to Linus' design to make them adjustable. I believe this can be accomplished by simply replacing the energy tube piece with two nuts (one to adjust and one to lock in the adjustment). the only real downside I see is that this would leave a good portion of the threaded rod exposed to the elements (road salt here in PA is quite bad as you know...)

Unless I'm missing something I feel like this slight modification will provide the same functionality as these End Links or Quick Disconnects | WabFab Off Road at a third of the price.

I also ordered 4 of these instead of Qty 2. Zinc-Plated Steel Washer for Ball Joint Rod End, Fits 3/8" Shank Size – Part number 95034A300.... so I can put one on each side of the heim. Just my personal preference though...
Click to expand...

yeah I agree, i've seen the adjustable design before and it should work just fine. I'll be adding a second washer to the outside and I was thinking of using bushings on the bolt part around the sway. I like the idea of adjustability. I'd just plastidip the exposed portion for protection, or use a metal sleeve around them
 
I am defiantly going to build these. I have a new sway bar coming for the rear, I'll probably do this on the front aw well. Thanks for posting this Zak.
 
Good thread Zak. I made ones similar to those but they have plated threaded rod with a nut for adjustment. I also have rubber heim boot covers packed with grease to keep them from wearing out and becoming noisy.

The rubber boot covers the heim and the heim spacers.
 
Also, I've been running a pair with exposed threaded rod for the past 2 yrs, winters and all, and have not had any problems so to speak. [MENTION=46025]HokieRunner[/MENTION], where did you find the heim boot covers? The only issue with my setup is that once and a while the joints will get squeaky and need to be cleaned and re-greased.
 
NuclearN8 said:
Zak, great idea sharing this... I have these parts in the basement already and I'm contemplating a slight modification to Linus' design to make them adjustable. I believe this can be accomplished by simply replacing the energy tube piece with two nuts (one to adjust and one to lock in the adjustment). the only real downside I see is that this would leave a good portion of the threaded rod exposed to the elements (road salt here in PA is quite bad as you know...)

Unless I'm missing something I feel like this slight modification will provide the same functionality as these End Links or Quick Disconnects | WabFab Off Road at a third of the price.

I also ordered 4 of these instead of Qty 2. Zinc-Plated Steel Washer for Ball Joint Rod End, Fits 3/8" Shank Size – Part number 95034A300.... so I can put one on each side of the heim. Just my personal preference though...
Click to expand...
just slide a piece of rubber hose over it.
 
sonerick said:
Also, I've been running a pair with exposed threaded rod for the past 2 yrs, winters and all, and have not had any problems so to speak. [MENTION=46025]HokieRunner[/MENTION], where did you find the heim boot covers? The only issue with my setup is that once and a while the joints will get squeaky and need to be cleaned and re-greased.
Click to expand...

Here's the one picture I have of them. I'll dig up where I got them from but in order for the boot end to fit around the female end of the heim I had to slit both sides. There's a zip tie in the pic but I used a small hose clamp to secure it in the end. Overkill for a sway bar link I know...but anything worth doing is worth doing well.

20131219_180133-1.jpg~original
 
HokieRunner said:
Good thread Zak. I made ones similar to those but they have plated threaded rod with a nut for adjustment. I also have rubber heim boot covers packed with grease to keep them from wearing out and becoming noisy.

The rubber boot covers the heim and the heim spacers.
Click to expand...

Do you have to do everything so well? :D Nice work. I thought i remembered seeing something similar and now i remember them at your place.

Also, [MENTION=97032]hearno[/MENTION] - still time to swap out the ones you just made for the improved version :thumb3:
 
This version looks super complicated for some reason. If the ones I made turn out to not be so great, I'll give this version a try.

Also, thanks for raining on my parade! I was really proud of myself for making those today.
 
hearno said:
This version looks super complicated for some reason. If the ones I made turn out to not be so great, I'll give this version a try.

Also, thanks for raining on my parade! I was really proud of myself for making those today.
Click to expand...

it's my job :heh:

Also, thanks for giving me the opportunity to say why I think these are better than the other option

1) Heim's + grade 8 bolts are stronger than the eye hook
2) Heim allows more flex - now you KNOW the sway bar won't be limiting articulation
3) BLING
 
Last edited:
zopperman said:
it's my job :heh:

Also, thanks for giving me the opportunity to say why I think these are better than the other option

1) Heim's + grade 8 bolts are stronger than the eye hook
2) Heim allows more flex - now you KNOW the sway bar won't be limiting articulation
3) BLING
Click to expand...

how many monies and how soon can you get me a set
 
zopperman said:
I wasn't planning on making them, but if it goes over well when I make the set I will be happy to make them for other members for a fair price :thumb3:
Click to expand...

ahhh i see I thought when you said youd be making "these" you meant plural like youd be making multiple sets i saw the one write up a guy did cant find it now but guess ill end up making a set myself thanks!
 
zopperman said:
I wasn't planning on making them, but if it goes over well when I make the set I will be happy to make them for other members for a fair price :thumb3:
Click to expand...

I'll take the first set you make after yours. Make them at them same time. I have the next 12 days off. Need something to do. Lol.
 
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