Anybody ever use top links for tractors as a 4 link setup for a rear axle? you can buy a top link for as much as you would spend on 1 chromoly rod end and its tough enough to drag a plow.
From what i understand about them they are plenty tough, but the downfall is they arent very precise. If that makes any sense, the heims arent made for precision, like you would need in a suspension, there just made to hold the two peices together. But i could definetly be wrong...... Just what ive understood\heard about them. p.s. do an intro before someone busts your balls over it...ha ha
About five years ago a local guy here built a drag car with these. It WAS an opal gt (key word here "was") Long story short, first pass, wrecked car, badly broken driver, long recovery..... You get the point.
They also wear out fast! Starting out they have a little slop in them, as they aren't built to exact tolerances. After a little wear you get tons of slop. So your suspension "Clangs" when you hit a bump. The other problem is the adjustability. A qualified heim with have be fine thread for exacting adjustability and ability to lock lock and ensure it doesn't move. Ag links are a heavy coarse thread and are much harder to lock down with total security that they wont back off and get loose. For mocking up suspensions, I used to use the 24" ag links, cut in half. The ones from Tractor supply allow a 1" piece of PVC to slide right into them. So you can play with adjustability, and clearance. I would run them on the road, but know you will be replacing them with some regularity. I know of a certain hamber that took a link, cut it in two, and welded then ends on to his split bones, and secured the bones to the frame using the Ag pins with the retainer pins. He did tack the retainer pins, so you couldn't unhook him so to speak as a prank or what not. Car is still on the road with that setup been years, and its a helluva kick butt lil roadster.
Another thing to think about, those links are damn heavy. Most "performance" suspensions lean toward less unsprung weight, not more.
Everyone that posted here is dead on. Sometimes it is tempting to use parts that look like they might work. I did without asking anyone and almost wrecked my car, that was before I joined the H.a.m.b. Lehr had the best answer. Good luck, use all the best parts you will be glad you did.
wasn't it bell helmets that had the ad "buy a $10 helmet if you have a $10 head" or something to that effect? Cheap out on the interior, or paint, or even the motor, but NOT on suspension or brakes.
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