Heim Joint Replacement

[tenortech]

Hey guys!
Need some recommendations or maybe some ideas...

I bought this 2004 Wrangler with updated steering as it has the cross steering setup with heim joints. The heim joints are bad and clunking / squeaking. I don't know the brand that was installed so finding replacements hasn't been easy.
I'm contemplating removing the heim joints, measuring, and then seeing if I can find a replacement to match those measurements.

On top of that I'm sure the track bar bushings need to be replaced, and I'm not sure if it's stock either..

Is this possible and worth it? Or should I just go with buying a new track bar, tie rod, and drag link?

 

[lBasket]

I've seen this steering on 2 XJs before and it sucked for both of them. Overpriced heims that lasted a few thousand miles and then just made noise and had miserable amounts of slop

 

[Bigfoot-NM]

If you have a caliper you can measure the through bolt and also measure the threaded rod portion of the heim. I'm pretty sure the through bolt is 5/8". So the threaded rod portion would either be 5/8 or 3/4.

If you wanted to replace that steering with something closer to stock, you will run into an issue with the knuckles. The usually tapered hole in the knuckles has been drilled out to a straight through hole to whatever size the through bolt is.

Hope this helps

 

[tenortech]

If you have a caliper you can measure the through bolt and also measure the threaded rod portion of the heim. I'm pretty sure the through bolt is 5/8". So the threaded rod portion would either be 5/8 or 3/4.

If you wanted to replace that steering with something closer to stock, you will run into an issue with the knuckles. The usually tapered hole in the knuckles has been drilled out to a straight through hole to whatever size the through bolt is.

Hope this hel

If you have a caliper you can measure the through bolt and also measure the threaded rod portion of the heim. I'm pretty sure the through bolt is 5/8". So the threaded rod portion would either be 5/8 or 3/4.

If you wanted to replace that steering with something closer to stock, you will run into an issue with the knuckles. The usually tapered hole in the knuckles has been drilled out to a straight through hole to whatever size the through bolt is.

Hope this helps

Got my measurements. Any heim joint brands you would recommend?

 

[Bigfoot-NM]

Got my measurements. Any heim joint brands you would recommend?

I don't have any brands to recommend. Look for good quality chromoly joints. There are a number of places online that sell them.

 

[jjvw]

Hey guys!
Need some recommendations or maybe some ideas...

I bought this 2004 Wrangler with updated steering as it has the cross steering setup with heim joints. The heim joints are bad and clunking / squeaking. I don't know the brand that was installed so finding replacements hasn't been easy.
I'm contemplating removing the heim joints, measuring, and then seeing if I can find a replacement to match those measurements.

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View attachment 602030

FK rod ends. Look for the higher quality F1 fit. The costs might get you close to returning the steering to the factory inverse-Y geometry, which will get rid of the bump steer you have.