Heim joints

[Sand Lap K-9]

Ok guys, get me straight on heim joints. I've done all the searches, read the threads, cleaned and lubed them bitches with dry lube, tried everything I know and still when hot weather gets here they still want to bind on the linkage rod. In winter they stay loose and shift smooth, in summer everythings TIGHT! What to do? Buy new ones, OK. Where and how much? K-9's still under warranty but don't feel like rassil'in with the dealer.( He's 1 1/2 hrs away) Thanks, SL

 

[REMorris]

Well, before you do that, put a bolt thru the joint and then lock it in place with a nut.

Put the end of the bolt into a drill and make it spin. That will loosen up the joint but also keep in mind that they aren't made to spin like that so don't over-do it.

You can heat them up with a blow dryer to "enhance" the wear induced by the above.

Richard

 

[RRRUFF]

I never thought of trying that REMorris. If that don't work J&P cycles, Harley dealers or do search on Google. Remember one is left hand and the other is right handed, 5/16 X 24 thread.

 

[Gas Man]

I never thought of trying that REMorris. If that don't work J&P cycles, Harley dealers or do search on Google. Remember one is left hand and the other is right handed, 5/16 X 24 thread.

But not always the case in the aftermarket rods. I think Dave's wicked image had both ends normal right handed thread

 

[Ratman]

Heim joints on my '07 were replaced under warranty as they had a "sticking" issue as well. No sticking problem since replacing. The originals on mine had a red teflon insert. I purchased an extra set as a backup. I believe they were under $20 for the pair. If you don't want to mess with the dealer...cal BD directly and order a pair.

 

[Roaddawg]

When mine began sticking I used lubricant like wd-40 or a few drops of oil. But this did not cure the problem. Finally I put a little anti-seize on them and two years and thousands of mile later, no reoccurrence.

 

[Chopper Dave]

But not always the case in the aftermarket rods. I think Dave's wicked image had both ends normal right handed thread

yep....I ordered a pair of right handed thread stainless heim's from McMaster-Carr I think they were $11.34 a piece:up: last Sept. when I put on my new Wicked Image shifter linkage...
here is the thread....

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/technical/4859-heim-joints-2.html

 

[Sand Lap K-9]

Thanks for the response,I called and talked to the old Wicked Bastard Nelson. He says he can get me two new heim joints pretty quick. I'm gonna go ahead and change'um and see if that helps. WB comes through again!! SL

 

[scubaman15]

Did you ever get them ? I need a set now .... will be trying to get a hold of Nelson ..

 

[toomanybikes]

I paid just over $23 at Full House during their Open House. I had cleaned and lubricated the original ones on my Mastiff, but they were still barely moving so it was an inexpensive fix.

 

[Vegas]

Heim joints have been around forever. Buy some basic heim joints and scrap the big dog joints. IMO

 

[scubaman15]

I paid just over $23 at Full House during their Open House. I had cleaned and lubricated the original ones on my Mastiff, but they were still barely moving so it was an inexpensive fix.

Thanks ...when the HELL are we going to ride again??

Also the heim joints if running the stock shifter linkage are one left thread one right is that correct ??

 

[Chopper Dave]

Thanks ...when the HELL are we going to ride again??

Also the heim joints if running the stock shifter linkage are one left thread one right is that correct ??

yep...you got it Scuba:up:

 

[Raywood]

I like what one member did here. He rigged up his electric drill to each and ran them at a few hundred RPM to clean and loosen them up.

Don't understand all the issues with these. I'm still on my origanals and I just lube them and they always work fine.

 

[scubaman15]

Last night... I did just that and discovered that only after it got a bit warm did it start to bind up ....... duh .. but after lubing them ...and yes anti seize seemed to work better then "spray lube" !!!.. I never had problems with these on any of my other bikes ? Cheep? or just designed wrong ? don't know but when they screw up it sucks ... O yea I never had to OIL the ones on my harleys ....maybe I should have ...could have won a few more contests ?? Its all good in the hood ...as they say

 

[Roaddawg]

Well, I find that the anti-seize has worked well for me. Earlier this year when I was doing the annual "cleaning of the bike" I put a little on each and immediately noticed that they moved smoother.

On the police bikes we ran back home (HD Road Kings FLHPI) there were grease fittings for the heim joints. The civvy models didn't (still don't) have fittings though.