Check Baja's site: www.bajataco.com . He has an excellent write up on rebuilding a SAW (less Heims.)

I'm still really curious if the mass moisture that you guys see has quite a bit to do with it...

Mike

I had forgotten about his write-up, though now that I look at it again, I still don't see anything relating to the bottom mounts.

This was from my search on YotaTech for a similar issue. I'll call Ryan at SAW today. Here is the thread. Thread

If it's any consolation, the OME rubber bushings eventualy wear out too.

As far as heims go, here is my limited experience. I am still running my original proto type set of sway bar disconnects. They use 1/2" heims. They still don't make any noise but on rare ocassions will "click" when driving up a driveway. I grease them whenever I service the driveshafts. What I have noticed is if they get 4wheeling dirt in them that they will get noisy. Cleaning and regreasing seems to solve the problem. I assume you fully lubed the ball when you had it apart. I guess a worn out heim is easy to lube though.

Seems like Ryan's getting a lot of calls from 4Runner SAW owners. I've called to discuss my siezed adjustment collar. Hopefully we'll get these issues resolved soon . . . There are way too many problems arising after these shocks have been mounted for a relatively short period of time.

But Jeff, in Denver we have VERY low humidity. We don't get snow or rain very often. It seems to me we'd be one of the last places moisture would be a problem.

I disagree - in the winter we get moisture about every week or two on average. And it's usually nasty mag-cloride road splash.

Talked to Ryan at SAW. He seemed helpful, but didn't have any magic solution. He basically said the heim has worn out a little over time which has caused the squeaking. He suggested just lubing them the best we can and dealing with it, as long as the overall integrity of the heim is ok (unlike Jeff's). He had no real suggestion as to what kind of lube to use, he said the molly grease we use for our drive line would work fine.

The other option is to replace the heim bearing for 14.00 each. Part # 56702-001.

He did not recommend the poly bushing option. He said they wear out fast, every 2-6 months or more, depending on use. They're for the guys that are re-building all the time after races.

Regarding my coils. He said I would need to get my coils powder coated again to restore the finish, or just paint them. Which probably wouldn't last long.

So I'll just deal with lubing the heim for as long as I can, then look at getting new ones pressed in. He said I would need to remove the snap ring and use a press to remove and install them.

This is pretty much my point (I think <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" /> ) that the high moisture combined with the steel housing of the heim and the aluminum body causes an "anodic" reaction (corrosion) and the heim joints aren't necessarily coated with any type of corrosion preventative. Along with transalper's seized collars, the aluminum body race shock just isn't meant for that type of atmosphere without a good deal of maintenance...

Just my two cents worth, I wouldn't know what snow is except for my travel outside of AZ. I don't search for it here even though I understand we get a little.

Mike

Seems like Ryan's getting a lot of calls from 4Runner SAW owners. I've called to discuss my siezed adjustment collar. Hopefully we'll get these issues resolved soon . . . There are way too many problems arising after these shocks have been mounted for a relatively short period of time. [/quote]

I have not had any issues with the threaded collar seizing. They turn just fine, and mine are about 3 years old. I must say, I'm real anal about washing my rig all year long and always specifically spray down the SAW's to keep them clean. Perhaps you do that also. I'm just triing to think through this.