helping a buddy out noticed his touring link is wore out you can fiscally shake the link with you hand anybody ever see this?

thanks

 

Yep. Happened to mine. Was gonna source a coupla higher quality Heim joints from McMaster Carr but I totalled the bike.

 

Thanks just googled there site if I replace them how can I get the proper length I need ?
meaning over all dimension ?











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Hang on a minute.....is there actual lateral movement (slop between the ball and body) in the joints or just easy to spin. When the link is adjusted correctly, you should be able to freely turn the assembly. If not, it is in a bind.

 

Bigirn, find out on the bike what you're gonna need in terms of overall dimensions then go to the McMaster Carr website and choose a male and female joint that will get you there. There's a lot of adjustability in them by screwing them in or out. Don't forget to thread on a jam nut.

 

I've worn out a couple Sputhe's on my Dyna. I use ball end links on an FXR and EGC, Drop of oil on them every once in a while seems to help.

 

The Progressive brand link has poor geometry IMHO, with the link shorter than it should be. I'm not surprised if it wears over time. The True-Track is a better design and mine has been fine for several years.

 

I called Progresive and they sell the link you have to piece it together guy said just adjust it so the bolts go in with out binding up. around $ 27

thanks for the info

 

They are standard rod end joints. One male and one female of the proper size will work fine. The size pretty well determines the length of both ends. The threads and bolt holes are the same size. Some hardware stores carry them but I can't vouch for the quality. I found the same wear and discovered that Progressive's replacement price was way up on the high end. Googling "Spherical rod ends" will give you several choices from which you can order. It has been a long time but I sort of remember 3/16th size but I don't recall the thread pitch. I was concerned about the teflon equipped choices, especially for the end nearest the exhaust pipe, for fear of melting the teflon and having a sloppy connection again. The site I used indicated the max load for the joints. I chose the strongest ones of that size I could find on that site.

 

Bigirn, I was gonna buy a better quality of Heim joint than came with the Progressive, kit...Btsom, the size would have been 3/8", can't remember the pitch either. On my 2006, the joints were quite come way from the exhaust, so I wasn't worried about Teflon melting, however, yeah, that IS a consideration! Grbrown, the poor geometry issue can certainly account for how fast mine wore out, as you say...I was pretty surprised by how fast mine loosened up!


So, I'd be hesitant to get replacements from Progressive, and $27 does seem a bit high...also, bigirn, you might want to cruise around McMaster Carr's website, there's a TON of interesting fasteners in there that you may find will be of use. For instance, I procured all my saddlebag shoulder bolts and U-nuts from them to substitute for the OEM Dzus fasteners....for MUCH MUCH cheaper than you will pay for the fancy kits they sell!!! A good site to stock up on your fastener inventory, too...