Is anyone aware of a company that provides boots that fit over heim joints that have the dual purpose of containing lubrication, while keeping-out debris? Via a PM, I just became aware of something like this, but the person said that the company he knew of no longer makes these. Thanks much for your time!

FWIW, I'm envisioning using these on rear control arms, namely the Altas...

 

Hey Tony,

I am in the middle of researching this very thing. I'll keep you posted. I suppose you could shrink wrap the joints for now...I was joking, but, maybe not???

Ciao,

Michael

 

http://www.getecno.com/english/motorsport_rers.htm

 

Get them from Tom @ Spidetrax. 1.800.286.0898 Tell him Dave sent you!


Seals-It Washers

 

Tony,

I contacted both True Choice and Horr Racing Products (pronounced hair). Niether carries protected joints of any kind.

Horr recommended Seals-it

EDIT - Cheese, you beat me to it!

Ciao,

Michael

 

One reason I do love NAM!

Good work all. Looks like I will call seals-it.
Thanks for posting the question Tony.

 

Those seals jlm referred us to also look very interesting; They include a seal that covers the entire joint along with distance rings - who knew - to keep your nuts from pinching the rubber. Ha!

Okay, two great choices.

ciao

 

Meb,
I prefer the washers to the boots because they're not "loose" and there's less to tear. If that boot tears and fills up with water and or crud, the rodend is junk.

Spidertrax sells a lot of high quality fab stuff for all the custom tube frames they build. Check out the rest of their site too


--
Cheese

 

Dang, you guys are awesome! No surprise that jlm and mac would have some good input. jlm, are you still running with your custom arms? You all know that jlm fabs some cool stuff, but I'm guessing most don't know about these:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...m+control+arms

In your quest to minimize compliance, I'm wondering if you have since contemplated heims...

meb & onasled, I'm going to be slammed the rest of the day at work... please do share here any research or findings at the provided links.

Thanks again.

 

onasled, what size will you be getting? They are not metric, as you can see... I just sent an email to Alta to get their opinion... I wonder if we will need some type of spacer to keep adequate pressure on this "washer"... We wouldn't want it to be loose so that stuff gets in, and then it would be difficult to clean because it would be in the way...

 

Tony,
Your question about the spacer implies there is some play in the existing rod end mount which hopefully isnt the case!

 

That's good news mac. There was a mention of a misalignment washer in that one photo. I guess I really need to better see how this thing conforms to the joint. Whatever size is deeemed best, we would need 4 per arm, or 16 in my case. I will ask for Tom, and say that Dave sent me Thanks again!

 

Tony. The misalignment washers are for a completely different application. They build wild rock buggies with incredible amounts of flex for competitions. The misalignment washers allow the ***** to spin further in the race, allowing for more degrees of misalignment. You can see how off center the bolt is in the photo. We dont want that. I'm not even sure it would make a difference in the mini's suspension setup but more freedom isnt what we're after.
I grew up with Tom in NJ before they moved to Colorado to start the business. He's good people.

--
Cheese

 

Ah, my FJ-40 days re-visited! Rock crawling... I can see the need... Thanks much! Pretty cool that you and Tom stay in-touch... .

Hey, I just got this back from Alta, very fast reply, btw:

Anthony,

Thanks for asking. We have tried this product on some of our other suspension products we make for the Subaru WRX. They failed after a few months of use. (Dried up and cracked.) If you choose to use them you will need the 5/8" ones.

If we can help further please let us know.

ALTA TECH DEPT.
=======

Given this, any way to keep these items more subtle?

 

I have an FJ-40!

Doesn't look this good anymore though ...

 

Sweet!!! Nice photos onasled. I had a couple... The first had the straight 6 then a 289, and the last a 350. Sold the last one to my "neighbor" in the canyon here... with every nut and bolt in coffee cans, and photos on how to put it all back together . He has a FJ-55 also, and knows what he's doing... Fond memories, minus a couple rolls .

To get back on the paved road here, I just got this from Alta:

Our joints actually have a teflon liner that constantly cleans them as they move. If we honestly felt the seals were necessary we would include them.

Thanks again.
===========

Maybe I'll just inspect them on a regular basis as I do with other items... clean as necessary...

 

Man, I dig those FJ-40s! They're mostly rusty heeps out here in the North East. :( I had a Suzuki Samurai... the other "little car" Thats the only vehicle I've ever owned that was as fun to drive as the MINI. I miss that thing!


--
Cheese

 

Tony,

The last pair of hiem joints I used were constructed the same way. I drove 185,000 miles summer and winter with zero problems. I did remove, clean, and reinstall each spring. Never used any other lubricants. FYI - application was for sway bar end links and upper rear control arms.

Ciao,

Michael

 

mac, the FJ-40's are fun, and very rugged; much more so than the Jeep CJ's... If there is anything tantamount to a MINI on a dirt road, that would be it. Well, after owning a Manx style dune buggy (selling now), that might be a more accurate descriptive or analogy off an off-road MINI. Man, they are all fun! Enjoy them, sell them to a new owner who will do the same, and move-on... always with a photo or two for a keep-sake .

Just had my 20th anniversary of driving (legally), and after sharing with my wife my previous rides, I found it quite amazing that in some round-about way I've owned: American, European & Japanese makes, kit cars, 4,6 & 8 cylinders, front, mid & rear engines, automatic & stick, air & water-cooled, car, truck & off-road types, covertibles (hard & soft top) and colors that run the gamut of the spectrum. I love to drive, and the MINI tops that list for fun!

Wow, I digress...

Michael, thanks for letting me know your experiences. Much appreciated! I placed an order of sorts with Randy via voice mail and PM a couple of days ago for 4 Alta arms. No confirmation yet, but I know he's busy. For all I know they might show-up at my doorstep by week's end...

I also emailed Tom (mac's buddy) to inquire a bit more about these Seals-It Washers. In particular, their expected longevity with respect to Alta's experiences of them lasting only a few months... I'll share when I hear back....