SKINZ statement on Heim Joint Failures

LETTER I JUST RECEIVED FROM SKINZ



Chris,
I'm sitting here in Denver hanging out so I thought I would lay out where we are at with the Rod ends.


Obviously, we did not have failures in any of our testing. If we did we would not have used these 1/2-20 rod ends. We are comfortable with the 1/2-20 rod ends and still believe they are suitable. From what we understand, these are used in Mustangs.

All of our reports from the people that have used the new ends are positive and without problems.

We have decided to make the change to the 5/8 lower. Not because we thought our original design was not right but to offset the concerns and perceptions generated online. The larger end would just put everyone at ease.

We are offering to upgrade the customers that aren't comfortable with their 1/2-20 lowers. They will be able to contact us and we will rework their lowers to the 5/8.


It is important to know that all the filming and development was done with the 1/2-20. This is why we made a movie and made it available for free.

As we were the first company to innovate, develop, and produce the Nytro front end with forward location of 4.5", we wanted people to see the authenticity of the front end and what it could do. We also still think this front end is the most effective compared to the others because of the spindle location.

As stated before, our end game is the customer experience. We are replacing all the 1/2-20 rod ends with new parts. We strongly beloved the first ones were defective. Some seemed to be OK and some weren't. If anyone has any questions, they can call us and we will work it all out. We want everyone to be taken care of.


This is sent from my phone so you may have to fix a couple things.


Thanks for your help.

Jeff Hawksworth
Skinz Protective Gear.
320-243-8771
Fax 320-243-2453
www.skinzprotectivegear.com

Several people in another thread had suggested that a quick fix to this problem would be to just take your lower A-Arms into a local machine shop and have them drilled and tapped for the larger 5/8ths Heim Joints.

I wrote to Skinz and asked them about this.

This is their reply.


We can't advocate they do it themselves but a qualified machine shop could do it. There is plenty of material to drill and tap it.

There would be no warranty unless they return them to us and we do it. This is a straight forward task for a machine shop.

Jeff Hawksworth
Skinz Protective Gear.
320-243-8771
Fax 320-243-2453
www.skinzprotectivegear.com

Sent from my iPhone

So, what are the real options for anyone with a Skinz Concept A-Arm that is worried about a possible failure.

#1.
Call Skinz and ask for the upgraded replacement 1/2" Heim Joints.
They will ship you a set at no cost.

#2.
Box up your lower A-Arms and ship them to Skinz.
They will re-work them and return them to you with a 5/8" Heim Joint.

#3.
Take your lower A-Arms to a local qualified machine shop and have them Drill and Tap them so you can install a 5/8" Heim Joint yourself. But loose your warranty in the process.



As for me personally.
I am going to install the upgraded 1/2" Heim Joint and not worry about it.
Maybe at the end of the season I will send my A-Arms back in to be reworked for the 5/8ths, but from what I have been told, the new 1/2" will be quite sufficient for me.

I don't think Jeff has a final answer on that from the manufacturer as yet.

Same here.
Just waiting for a small box to arrive from SKINZ.

Skinz confirmed my set of 1/2" replacements are en-route!!

True to their word a small box just arrived with 2 new replacement Heim Joints in it from Skinz.