heim joint vs johnyjoint vs rubber bushing.

[RockRanger]

This is for a 3 link front. I have been leaning towards johnny joints on both ends of the links. However if I went with a bushing on one end I could probably save a few hundred bucks in joints. Any one see a reason why this wouldnt work.

 

[IZwack]

I think it would work. I went with rubber bushings on one end and it's worked fine so far. I think its a good idea for trail rigs to have some sort of rubber bushing on one end to absorb some of the shock. Now for rock buggies, the story is different as those are highly specific and light compeitition vehicles .. like trophy trucks.

I placed the rubber bushing on the axle-end just because they will stand up better to dirt and water better than the RE-joints. I bought the rubber bushing assembly from Gravity Werks (http://www.gravity-werx.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=339) but I"m sure you can find another vendor closer to CA.

 

[rookieshooter]

What is the bushing made of?

 

[rookieshooter]

Rubber, duh did not read sorry.
I agree with IZwack

 

[IZwack]

What is the bushing made of?

Polyurethane -- sorry I said rubber. It should have been polyurethane

 

[rookieshooter]

Those Johnny joints don't look to hard to make. Seems like you could use some poly bushings that they use on so many front end applications to stiffin ride. As long as you can get the right bolt dia. Then slide one on each end of DOM tubing that is right inside dia for the bushing. But before putting in poly bushings weld whatever threaded stud on side of tubing. I'm talking about those poly bushings that are larger at one end so they slid in only so far. Like the ones you use on leaf springs at each side. I bet thats all the Johnny joints use. They come in different sizes. I was and still may make my own.

 

[IZwack]

BTW RockRanger, I dunno what size of a bolt you plan to use, but ExpertOffRoad typically has very high quality Heims for very low prices, incase you go with heims

3/4" RH Chromoly Teflon lined Heim: $22.00:
http://www.expertoffroad.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=2-RES XMR12

I bought one of their 1" Heim for my panhard for $39.00:

 

[IZwack]

Those Johnny joints don't look to hard to make. Seems like you could use some poly bushings that they use on so many front end applications to stiffin ride. As long as you can get the right bolt dia. Then slide one on each end of DOM tubing that is right inside dia for the bushing. But before putting in poly bushings weld whatever threaded stud on side of tubing. I'm talking about those poly bushings that are larger at one end so they slid in only so far. Like the ones you use on leaf springs at each side. I bet thats all the Johnny joints use. They come in different sizes. I was and still may make my own.

Johnny Joints are a little different, they are more like the Rubicon Express SuperFlex joints. The inside is a spherical ball floating on some plastic race (Teflon, Delrin, or other hard, "self-lubricating" plastic).

 

[RockRanger]

Any other opinions on this?

 

[Yomie]

i helped 034x4 build a 3 link cherokee and we used rubber at the axle side of all the links, used only 2 johnny-joints at the frame side of the long links