blue dog
Banned
I have always been using FK rod ends, they seem to be a quality rod end that holds up to off road, just wandering if you guys seem to think one rod end company out there is better then the others, or what have you had good luck with.
rod ends ???
- Thread starter blue dog
- Start date
NASTYZEN
Well-known member
Aurora Rod ends hands down.
rock mafia
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2011
- Messages
- 16
WAY overpriced, guy that sells/makes them has the reputation of being a douch.
I buy heims here, mostly 1.25.
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/125RESET.html
nate379
Banned
For use on what?
I use Johnny Joints where I can. Had one heim on my Jeep and had to replaced it 3 or 4 times. Johhnnys are still all original, installed same time as first heim.
I use Johnny Joints where I can. Had one heim on my Jeep and had to replaced it 3 or 4 times. Johhnnys are still all original, installed same time as first heim.
Good heim's will hold up, cheap ones will not, any heim's with nylon in them don't last 10 minutes off road. Johnny joints are ok in certain applications, but not for linked joints. The plus for johnny joints is that they are rebuildable, heims are not.
I run johnny joints on the control arms on my dodge ram, rebuild them about one time every year. Just part of it.
nate379
Banned
I setup the suspension in my Jeep in 2004 and haven't touched any of the Johhny Joints.
Heims were QA1 which I'm told is a good brand. Would last about a year until it had too much slop.
Heims were QA1 which I'm told is a good brand. Would last about a year until it had too much slop.
nate379
Banned
Yeah I think what helps the JJs is they are wide and have grease in them.
nate379
Banned
Can often use either or for most suspension bits in my experience. For steering I use actual rod ends (ball joint kind) Again, have see far too much slop with heims on a drag link or tie road to want to use them. OK on a trail only buggy, but even then it clunks and vague steering *****.
Looks like JJs are cheaper too. The last ones I bought, 1.25" end cost about $40 each.
Looks like JJs are cheaper too. The last ones I bought, 1.25" end cost about $40 each.
I've used Black Bandit rod ends a long time ago, then I became a believer in true Tie Rod Ends. There's some that come with a 3/4" shank, so they threaded directly into my suspension links. I believe they came off of some dodge trucks in the 80's, but I'd have to check. They're usually in stock at the local parts store.
Ruff Stuff is THE place for off road parts. I always check them before going anywhere else!
They sell some of the best quality ends at a bangin' price! The owner is a real cool cat as well. He contracts out a lot of his stuff to other local shops. Which is great for helping out the little guys!
He is a vendor on Pirate 4x4 under the username "Gravel Maker." I'd keep a close eye there for any specials going on!
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Always used Aurora on our SAE Baja Car mainly because of a discount. Don't recall one ever breaking. Used 3/8s for suspension control arms on a 600lb gross vehicle. We'd replace after ever race then used one would go into the used bin for older cars.
I've got Ballistic Fab joints on my Jeeps control arms and like them. The injected molded races **** though and takes constant readjusting. The newer billet races are supposed to be much better. Just haven't got a set yet. prefer TRE's on my steering.
I've got Ballistic Fab joints on my Jeeps control arms and like them. The injected molded races **** though and takes constant readjusting. The newer billet races are supposed to be much better. Just haven't got a set yet. prefer TRE's on my steering.
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
Always used Aurora rod ends and sphericals. Great product when used with good design practices. McMaster sells FK I believe, and they are also of adequate quality. There are tons of different grades and materials available but I have never run into a quality issue.