Heim joints v/s rod ends pros and cons???

I am gathering Ideas on building a T bucket style rod. As I am looking at different style steering/suspension setups I see some use heim joints, and some use regular tie rod style ends. Also some mix the two? what are the pro's and con's of each? are some better used in certain applications? I am thinking on going with cowl steering on my build. I haven't started yet, but am getting some great Ideas here! Lots of great cars here and unbelieveable fabrication. Thanks!

 

Generally speaking, a heim joint, a.k.a. a rod end, is used where greater strength is desired, uses bolts that can be replaced and allows installation with various lateral offset. Many can be rebuilt.
A Tie-Rod end, is more disposable, married to the tapered stud it came with and has a specific offset built in.
Tie-rod ends probably were more accessible in the early days. Heim types came out of higher industry and were likely harder to get and more expensive.
These days, heim types are readily available in some extreme strength ratings at prices that make the tie-rod end less attractive.
Unless you aim for a very specific period as far as build appearance, it's really a matter of what fits you situation better. The only mechanical concern I can think of is that a tie-rod end was really developed with the idea that the stud be vertical. When installed horizontal, they droop and may wear heavy on one side. A heim type is les weight biased, so that isn't an issue.

 

My main concern is strength and relyability. Do they make heim joints that are greasable? do they wear faster?

 

You can get them with grease zerts. They are available in mild steel and chrome-moly. Both start with a hard chromed ball inside the race. These wear faster. The next step usually has some kind of liner inside the race. These sometimes allow self sealing to keep lube in and dirt out. The high end uses exotic materials in the liner, like kevlar. QA1 make a joint with a kevlar liner that takes up slack for reduced noise and wear when lightly loaded, but it gives and allows metal on metal under a load so that the liner isn't damaged by the abuse of doing what they do. It is self sealing as well. They are in the XM line. Reasonably priced and easy to find.
I just ordered 7 for about $17 each. Google Seals-It and take a look at the dust shields that you can use with them. They make a full rubber boot that encloses the whole joint and a cup seal that covers each side. I ordered the cups from Summit at about $14 for 6 (3 sets).
There are a limited number of heim types out there that use a polyurethane bushing and sleeve instead of the ball and seat, but they are limited in strength and have a narrow range of movement. Not bad for a 4-bar suspension, but inappropriate for steering.