I had an issue with my shifter linkage so I decided to upgrade the linkage to include 2 Heim joints. It appears all of the upgraded shift linkages employ Heim joints. What I haven't been able to find is any information that addresses any special maintenance procedures that should be used on Heim joints. For those members that have made this upgrade, what has been your experience? Any special lube or maintenance procedure that should be used with these joints?

Thanks in advance for input.

 

Never given it another thought to be honest…

 

IN my experience, there is no maintenance to prolong life. When they go they go.

 

Is no maintenance with the smaller units, maybe a tiny drop of oil after a good wet soaking.

 

I installed Landmark Gear Shift Linkage on all my rides and never did any maintenance.

 

Best thing to make them last is keep them clean.

 

I have one of these from AN on my 14 SG and there is no replacing heim joints, or rod ends as some call them, with something I can readily get at a parts store. I take the linkage off at least once a year, like before winter/rain and clean it up good with WD 40 and then roll the ball around real good with some bicycle grease that I have to keep it lubed up and keep dirt and crap out of it. I guess it the ends went away, I'd have to send the whole linkage to AN for replacements to be installed.......

Damn that picture came out big, lol! Sorry.....

 

I have never had a problem nor anyone I know. The factory one will go out at the absolute worst time, usually BFE and you better have zips or whatever to rig it up.

 

I had a squeak from one and gave it a shot of WD40.

 

Depends on the type of Heim joint. Most/many have a teflon liner in the main part so does not need oiling. But using the Heim joints with the rubber boots over them keeps the grit out and they last much longer. Not critical on low load application like gear shift but I found the rubber boots essential on the Tru-Track type stabiliser link that fits down between the transmission case and the frame by the swingarm. Otherwise the road grit chews them out in a couple of years.