What's more safe?

[kelseydum]

I need new ends for my tie rod. I'm using the ford flat plate steering arms. The steering arms are meant to be used with the heim joints, and I would have to taper the steering arms by hand if I wanted to used the ford tie rod ends. My question is which is more safe, the heim joint or the tie rod end. The tie rod end is a little cheaper.

 

[Gastrick]

In my opinion they are both safe as long as you are using quality parts. The tie rod ends have the advantage of a grease fitting amd the working parts aren't exposed to the elements in most cases. If you are going to ream the arms, make sure you get it right, or it won't be safe at all. At least that's the way I see it. Other opinions may vary.

 

[kelseydum]

Thanks Gastrick, I appreciate it.

 

[motorpsykler]

As a former helicopter mechanic in the Army, I have some experience with heim joints. I agree with Gastrick, either one, properly installed, would be up to the task. Heim joints probably require a little more maintenance. They should be periodically inspected and wiped down. They have a tendancy to seize if not kept clean. Not that that would cause them to break, but they would probably bind. Of course, you have to keep rod ends greased too, so I think it comes down to just what kind of look you want.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

The steering arms are meant to be used with the heim joints

You answered your own question right there. "Meant to be used with" is not a suggestion in this case. As far as price goes - cheaper is not always safer, and is much more often just the opposite.

The flat plate steering arms are not thick enough to hold the taper of the tie rods properly, which is why it states that heim ends must be be used with them. Even if they were thick enough you would have to purchase a 7 degree taper to do it, which negates the savings of the tie rod ends. The heim ends are fine when used in proper applications (such as with your steering arms), so use them...

 

[willmceliece]

just to toss this out, with heims, i have always run a washer on the outside of the heim that is larger than the hole in the joint, so if it does fail for some reason, the washer will capture it.