XJ Build

[Wingman]

Will that hook come off?  Or is it on there permanently?

[xjh3]

Will that hook come off?  Or is it on there permanently?

Haha didn't really try yet but I'll get it off. It will be returned from which it came with a new strap to take the place of the many times divided one I borowed. 

[xjh3]

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Forged-Ballistic-Rod-End_p_1786.html

Anyone have any opinions on these? My Ruff Stuff heims are shot and these are not a whole lot more expensive. More importantly... They're rebuildable.

I'm not a fan of the idea of having to buy $260 worth of heims once a year and just live with the fact that I can't drive my Jeep down the road by the end of the season because they're all worn out. Putting another turn on the retaining ring to milk them along or just spending $33 on the rebuild kit instead seems appealing. Researching how much life people are getting out of them now.

[MrMindless]

didn't I just see within a day or two that Ballistic is bankrupt?

rebuildable joints all seem to manage to fall apart somehow. I'm a beiliever in a quality heim joint.

[xjh3]

That was a while ago. They're under new management now.

I agree too, but if Ruff Stuffs aren't lasting, now what? QA1? Or is this just all I'm going to get out of them? I'd almost rather go back to some sort of flex joint I can rebuild for $10/joint and do that twice a season than keep buying new heims once a season.

 

[MrMindless]

QA-1 are the best I've run. Avoid Aurora.

[etk300ex]

Leaf springs ftw

[Spencer]

buy them so i know if i should too

[xjh3]

Johnny Joints are $40/piece and cost $10 to rebuild. From what I've read, there seems to be a difference between the 'real deal' Johnny Joints and every other cartridge type joint (especially Ballistic.) A set of four is about the same cost as a set of two heims, so I'm going to rock them for a season and if they suck, I will rebuild them and sell them.

[smichaelR22]

what size heims are you using?  racing doesnt seem to bother the 1.25" that i run?

[xjh3]

Ruff Stuff 1.25"...

[smichaelR22]

its got to be a geometry thing or something.  other than some WD for race prep, its been more than a season on the rear end, and almost a season on the front of 571.  They see a ton more abuse that could possibly happen on your XJ....

interesting.

[xjh3]

I thought you were replacing them once a season Smike. Figured it was still a lot for my XJ to be wearing them out as often as 571 though! They're not ALL spanked, but one is really loose and another has a little play. I have misalignment spacers on them and their is pretty much no misalignment at ride height.

7/8s heims on the upper are still minty fresh... Possibly the direct rock contact the lowers see is part of the issue?

[MrMindless]

Unless its road salt getting through the hard chrome plating, rusting the ball, then wearing on the liner? Only thing I can think an XJ could do harder than a u4 buggy

[MrMindless]

571's lower arms may have seen direct rock contact once or twice.