THreaded tube and Heim joints

[rustbucket]

Trying to make my own steering arm,tie rod.drag link etc.
Do you guys buy them from hot rod suppliers or make them yourselves?
I'm in Calgary so looking for suppliers.
Bob

[johnny37]

Pretty sure you want to use a tie rod end, not a heim joint on those things. Threading the tie rods, drag links, etc for a tie rod end needs an expensive tap. Tie rod ends use a goofy thread count/pitch. If you're not doing this a lot, you're better off to get them already made up. The tap alone is over $100 last I checked.

[Olrodder]

i've bought them, and made them. Early Ford tie rod ends are 11/16 NF right and left hand threads, and the tubing used is usually 7/8" (.875) thick wall. I have found it easiest to buy them made up, Speedway Motors (Lincoln Nebraska & online). Speedway also sells the taps, but unless you plan on using them a lot they are prohibitively expensive. I'm not sure what it would take to import parts to you from the US, but at least you have some food for thought. What exactly are you wanting to make?
Clarke

[Rochie]

Rustbucket,
Talk to Ted Allan of Allan rod and custom in Strathmere(sp?). He either has them in stock or would make them to order

[wessider]

i order a weld in bungs from speedway. i built my four link using weldin bungs and am currently building the drag and steering link. I order smaller weld in bungs for the front but becaude they have to be welded into tube you have to use a larger diamiter tube than you would if you just tap the tube ends. when the steering is maxed the drag link come to close to the split wishbones. I'm going to use them for mock up but wil order swagged tube from speedway once i know the lengh i need. its cheaper than the cost of seemless tube and comes in 1" lengths. Threaded left and right and comes in different sizes for you ball joint tread diamater.

[Bgbkwndo]

Hello wessider,

Just a thought for you here, when welding the threaded bungs into tubing:
prior to inserting the bungs, drill two holes through the tube, 90* from each other, and spaced a little apart, to use as plug-weld locations. It is just a method of getting a bit of "insurance" to the weld around the end of the tube.
Good luck with your project.

Bgbkwndo.