Broken Heim joint

[Biosafena]

Just went to install my Bajaron sway bar and after removing the skid plate and looking up into the belly of the beast, I found that the right side Heim joint was broken. This is on a one stock 2012 RT Ltd. has anyone else seen this?? It may explain why my rude was handling like S.S. Constitution in a strong side wind. Too far to go to the dealer, so had to order parts online. But inquiring minds want to know why it broke in the first place.



Sent from the corner of walk and don't walk....

 

[Bob Denman]

Wow!!! :yikes: Did you take a decent impact to one of your tires? :dontknow:
It's a good thing that you found that!

 

[ARtraveler]

Being non-mechanical, I don't even know what a heim joint is. But, glad you found it before it caused you any problems.

 

[Biosafena]

Bob, I think you hit it on the head with "Yikes!" I have never taken a direct hit, never found a large pothole or run over any small burrowing animals. I only have 2300 miles on this thing. Guess I better start looking for anything else that is ready to fly off! I'm not sure...didn't this thing come with hubcaps?? Or did those fly off as well? LOL. This thing should handle like a slot car with the new bar and all of the proper components in place.


Sent from the corner of walk and don't walk....

 

[boborgera]

Bajaron had one that was rubbing, I don't think it broke though??:dontknow:

 

[eddieshep999]

Ref broken Heim Joint

This is the 2nd one that's been posted on this website

See http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?47683-swaybar-linkage-broken&highlight=SWAYBAR


Maybe check Manufactures dates, Years, Models etc to see if there could be a weak batch on Spyders and help notify Owners ref a potential problem and Inform BRP So they can see if there's a common link (No pun intended due to the
serious defect and a possible safety issue)

 

[Chupaca]

Oh.! that joint...

Glad you decided to make the switch. Could be the original bar was off center, to bad there is no dealers close by could be covered if no other damage is present. Well you for sure notice the difference with Ron's bar installed.:thumbup:

 

[Rotaxer]

Might want to replace both as one being broken might have put extra stress on the other.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: I'd be looking the other side over closely while I'm under there! Good Luck! :thumbup:

 

[Biosafena]

Already have two on order....at about $12.00 a piece it's not worth making another trip under the machine.


Sent from the corner of walk and don't walk....

 

[IGETAROUND]

Ref broken Heim Joint

This is the 2nd one that's been posted on this website

See http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?47683-swaybar-linkage-broken&highlight=SWAYBAR


Maybe check Manufactures dates, Years, Models etc to see if there could be a weak batch on Spyders and help notify Owners ref a potential problem and Inform BRP So they can see if there's a common link (No pun intended due to the
serious defect and a possible safety issue)

This earlier one listed above was a 2009 RS with 41K, but this latest one is too new and low of mileage to be metal fatigue. Would be nice to keep the forum up to date as to outcome and resolution.

 

[Lamonster]

This is the second one on a RT that I've seen. The first was at last years Spyderfest. Glad you found it.

 

[johnwinslow]

I did not notice when i installed baja rons sway bar, but is the part that broke metal or plastic ?

 

[BajaRon]

I did not notice when i installed baja rons sway bar, but is the part that broke metal or plastic ?

These are a plastic compound of some kind. Very rugged, but not metal.

 

[NancysToy]

I did not notice when i installed baja rons sway bar, but is the part that broke metal or plastic ?

These are a plastic compound of some kind. Very rugged, but not metal.

And they are not really a Heim joint, or a tie-rod, as BRP calls them...they would best be decribed as swaybar links. Heim joits are sperical rod ends, with a round metal bearing encased in an metal eyelet. You'd have to work a lot harder to break one of those.

 

[kyspyder]

FWIW, they may be called tie-rods but they are just sway bar links. They are found on any vehicle with a sway bar (cars, trucks, Spyders) and actually link the sway bar to the frame and/or suspension depending on the vehicle.


KYSPYDER

 

[GeoffCee]

And they are not really a Heim joint, or a tie-rod, as BRP calls them...they would best be decribed as swaybar links. Heim joits are sperical rod ends, with a round metal bearing encased in an metal eyelet. You'd have to work a lot harder to break one of those.

Scotty, I am currently awaiting delivery of one of Ron's swaybars.

As Ron's bar is a stronger, more substantial bar than the stock item won't this put additional forces through the "tie-rods"? Are the existing tie-rods up to the job?

 

[NancysToy]

Scotty, I am currently awaiting delivery of one of Ron's swaybars.

As Ron's bar is a stronger, more substantial bar than the stock item won't this put additional forces through the "tie-rods"? Are the existing tie-rods up to the job?

I wouldn't worry about it. The difference in the stress on the rod ends is probably minimal...despite the noticeable difference in handling. My theory is that the links that broke did so either because of physical damage, such as being used to jack up the Spyder or from road debris, or that they ended up going beyond their physical limit due to a strong swerve or bump (or both). It would also be possible to break one if it or the swaybar mount came loose, allowing it to move at an odd angle or contact the fastener. I can't prove my theory, but that's my take on it. I have never heard of any links breaking due to the installation of the Evoluzione, Aussie, or BajaRon bars.

 

[GeoffCee]

I have never heard of any links breaking due to the installation of the Evoluzione, Aussie, or BajaRon bars.

That's reassuring, I've heard nothing but good things about Ron's bar and I'm looking forward to fitting it. :thumbup: