Heim Joints

[barhopper]

Has anyonen had any problems with breaking heim joints? I use stainless joints for mounting the rudders on my boat and have had two of them crack in the last 6 months. I can't figure out what would be causing this problem other than poor quality metal. I'm afraid of a complete failure of one of these part at speed could be major problems. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

 

[PatoLoco]

Barhopper, check and see if your heim joints are binding when turn the rudders hard over. The body on the heim joint may be hitting on the ear where they are attached. If this is happening a thin 3/8" ss washer between the heim joint and the attachment point should fix it.

 

[barhopper]

I run washers on both sides of the joints. It does not seem to binding, but I will check again at reinstallation.

 

[SwampMatt]

I just put some new rudder linkages on our boat this past sunday morning. I used hard nylon spacers about 3/32" (skinny 1/8th) thick between the haim link and the rudder flange. Seems to work pretty good (the link clears with ease), and the hard nylon washer will break before anything else will, and it's easy to spot & easy to pop another one in there (I keep several in the tool box)

matt.

 

[Croc1]

I only use the ones with the grease fittings I get them at miller bearing I dont get the stainless ones because stainless is softer than steel it has more nickle in it get the steel ones and keep them lubed they dont rust

 

[nebraskaairboater]

We used cheap brass ones when we first switched to dual rudders on our bigger boat. I was taking people for their first ride on an airboat and in a turn I heard what sounded like a pop can going thru the prop. One of the joints came apart on the linkage rod and the rode peeled the tips back on the wood prop "like a pop can". Exciting first ride for everyone in the boat but me. I was affraid to run back to the ramp with everyone in the boat. Someone came by and picked up my passengers and I just idled back to the ramp. Needless to say both boats have the "expensive" joints now. Have had no problems. Out of fear I check them often to make sure they are ok.