I know that there have been some discussions about this topic before, but I just want to get all the facts about ball joints and heim joints on a-arms. I would also like to know what people prefer. I am looking to buy new +2 a-arms for my raptor and I am not sure if I want ball joints or heim joints. I ride in all kinds of conditions. Mostly trail riding(mud, water, sand, dirt, etc.) and jumping(0-100ft). Thanks.

 

bartlettracing,
that's what I thought, but this guy I was talking to said that heim joints are the way to go. he said he has lonestar a-arms with ball joints and he is going to change his ball joints to heim. maybe he thought i was going to race or something. oh well. thanks for clearing that up.

 

Jaybird, Riding in your conditions balljoints would be the only way to go.

 

I would look at a roll or TBR set up, some thing with a one piece servical bearing on the arm, the dirt does wear them faster, but it's cheaper than a broken ball joint, that could lead to other broken parts. the roll arms are a little more money than the TBR arms, but with the TBR set up you could get any shock package you can afford. they are well worth the money.

 

thanks for the replies. i appreciate it. how about those ricky stator a-arms? what do you guys think about them?

 

yes ricky's ball joints are good but it's the area were the ball joint goes into the arm thats the shear point. If a person threads that out to far SNAP, by going with a set up that has a one piece servical cup welded into the arm no shear point, no break, no problem.

 

how many people have actually broken a ball joint? I always see people messing up the a-arms but never heard about someone breaking a ball joint.

 

I've seen abnormal waer on the upper shock mount with the Ricky Stator set up if the upper bolts are not checked often. The lower mounting point is an area that can cause twist as the shock tabs only have one tube to mount to. If you want to go inexpensive, go that route, but I have seen ball joints snap several times. Not that they are all bad, but I personally switched to sperical heims and ride in some mud, but mostly sand, and can say they show no signs of wear(yet) and perform great.

 

How is the upper shock bolt different with different a-arms??
Many a-arms have 'one' tube to mount on, all with no problems. Even stock ( If I remember right)

 

Most stockers weld the shock tabs to a plate, thus trasfering force along a large flat area, same with Roll. Tbr uses a twin tube mount where the tab is welded to two tubes, one on either side of the mounting tab, helping to control the push and pulling forces and spreading them over two points. Leagers uses a through tube design that uses the a-arm tube to house the mounting point.
All I'm saying is do research like you are, look at the designs and then look at price.
I know who designed the R.S. a-arms and they were designed to be an affordable recreational a-arm. If that's what you are looking for, then go for it. If you plan on doing big jumps, then you may want to pay a little more.
Just shop, there are as many opnions as there are types of a-arms so just take your time to decide. I spent six months researching the subject before i made my choice and I'm happy with the result.