[sdbob]

I'm working on finishing 63 Lemans. I started many years ago installing straight 4 link. Now I'm going to angle the top bars to support side to side movement. What are the best heim joints to use? I thought about buying from mfg rather than chassis shop. Any recommendations? Thank you, Bob.

[tom s]

Why not just use what you have with a panhard bar?Tom

[misterp266]

Yes, a pan hard bar or a diagonal link will keep it centered.
I would purchase what you need from a chassis shop.

[61-63]

Or try McMaster-Carr

https://www.mcmaster.com/ball-joint-rod-ends/

[george kujanski]

McMaster-Carr is the place to get darn near anything a fabricator needs.

George

[Tim john]

Tim Mcamis race cars has excellent high quality race proven fasteners and associated components. Do this once with race proven parts, not hardware store grade. Your life is dependent on it.

http://timmcamis.com

Tim john---

[61-63]

Stuff from McMaster-Carr isn't Lowes grade stuff. They supply NASA, airlines, etc. etc. and carry grade 8 or better of everything if you are willing to pay for it. They also carry lesser grades and the grade, engineering spec, ect. can be clicked on for any item you buy. As George K. indicated they are the go to place for a metal fabricator. I have no clue where the jobbers that supply the various chassis shops get their components but I'd bet McMaster-Carr is one of their sources.

[sdbob]

We had made upper brackets and light tacked them in with just square tube links. That's why I'm thinking changing bar arrangements.

[Sirrotica]

Bob, Speedway Motors will have anything you need, and it will be racecar quality:

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Searc...l%20rod%20ends

Oval track cars use them all over the chassis.

[turbo69bird]

I just saw a post somewhere that said tractor supply has the best adjustable control arms and showed an adjustable lower control arm . Not saying that is what you should run but was an interesting post .

[Sirrotica]

I've looked at the 3 point tractor links at TS many times thinking that they could certainly be used for suspension parts. They certainly should be plenty strong enough.

Link: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/se...point%20links?

[Elarson]

When we built the Grocery Getter, the 4-link rod ends came from a chassis company in a packaged kit. I'd probably describe them as typical quality. They were fine for several years and then the launches started to feel inconsistent. We took the rod ends out and they had no perceptible play but the balls rotated freely with little drag. We replaced them with the best, strongest ones that Aurora Bearing sells (XAM-10 and XAB-10 series, 40,000 lb load rating). The car instantly launched good again and we never had to touch them again.

So my advice....buy Aurora. BTW.....I buy LOTS of other stuff from McMaster-Carr.

Eric

[sdbob]

Thanks guys. I knew you guys had experience which I dont.I have Aurora rod ends here in smaller size for rear end locater we made back when. I was looking at SKF,and Aurora. I figured chassis cos. may know what to buy from bearing cos. I just wanted direct co. engineer imput. I'm only doing it once.
Now where to buy the tubing? What wall thickness? I'd like USA made. Should i tap holes myself? I have brand new USA made taps and dies.

[Elarson]

Tube ends won't be tapped. They need these threaded ends welded on:
https://www.mcmaster.com/threaded-tube-ends/

Chassis places like Tim McAmis and Jerry Bickel sell these threaded ends too, along with tubing.

Hope this helps,
Eric

[Pav8427]

All good brands like Aurora and National have high end heat treated. Can get in Telfon lined also.

[Pav8427]

Cant remember where I got them, but you can get seals for them also. Basically a machine washer with rubber seal that get sandwitches on the sides to keep dirt n crap out.

[sdbob]

Brackets have 1/2" holes. Should I go with bigger sperical rod ends like 5/8" or 3/4"?

[bluebandit]

Check out S&W Racecars, they have everything you need and are located in PA. https://swracecars.com/

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by Elarson

When we built the Grocery Getter, the 4-link rod ends came from a chassis company in a packaged kit. I'd probably describe them as typical quality. They were fine for several years and then the launches started to feel inconsistent. We took the rod ends out and they had no perceptible play but the balls rotated freely with little drag. We replaced them with the best, strongest ones that Aurora Bearing sells (XAM-10 and XAB-10 series, 40,000 lb load rating). The car instantly launched good again and we never had to touch them again.

So my advice....buy Aurora. BTW.....I buy LOTS of other stuff from McMaster-Carr.

Eric

THIS, YOU HOLE-SHOTTED ME ON ,THIS ONE ERIC.

I was going to make a post about Aurora Bearing (XAM-10 and XAB-10 series, 40,000 lb load rating) parts. Saved me some typing.

Tom V. .