INSTALLING NEW HEIMS ON A PRE-RUNNER

In this month’s tech article, we are installing new heims and re-using the old bushings for an Alumicraft 3-seat prerunner’s rear trailing arms. When taking out the old heim, it is very important to make sure you get an accurate measurement, so you can install the new heim to that exact measurement. If you are off on the measurement, it will affect the handling of the car in the rear and will set the retoe. Too much toe out will cause the car to

Step 1- Install heim, bushings and sleeve into rear buggy trailing arm. Words and Photos: Chris Ramey

be squirrely. You typically want the rear of the car toed in anywhere from a 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch. When putting the bushings back in make sure you put inner and outer bushings back in where they came out. Some can be machined to fit exactly right and if not in the correct spot you could end up with more play than you want, which can later cause serious issues! Here are some steps to help you out:

Step 2- Lightly Grease your bushings (recommend greases to use include: Neo Synthetics HP800, Lucas Red “N”

Tacky or Kendall)

Step 3- Push bushings into arm, then tap them in with a rubber mallet. Step 4- Make sure bushings are all the way in and flush against arm

material.

Step 5- Grease bushing sleeve.

Step 6- Push bushing sleeve into bushing.

Step 7- Use a pair of calipers to measure heim distance so you can get a length and make sure new the new heim goes in at the exact distance (I always go off the spherical ball line for reference.)

Step 8- Loosen the jam nut with a large crescent wrench. Step 11 This is the final step! take your measurement from old heim using your reference points to match up new heim to same specs with calipers. Once it matches tighten up jam nut with crescent wrench and keep heim straight when tightening.

Step 9- Always put Anti Seize or Copper Slip on the new heim threads to prevent thread galling. It also prevents the heim from rusting in the arm.

Step 10- Thread the new heim into arm and match up the distance from old

heim you took out.

Final step- take two crescent wrenches one to hold the heim straight while you use the other one to tighten the jam nut. The end result is the new heim and freshly prepped bushings and sleeve.