Rod End and Heim Joint Buyer’s Guide
Heim joints wide range of rod ends provides a variety of shank and whole size configurations, as well as a variety of strength and weight options, depending on your application needs. Whether for general purpose, heavy-duty, racing, or off-road applications, you can compare the characteristics of these five main designs.
Heim joint V/S rod end
You may have noticed that the terms Heim Joint and Rod End are used interchangeably in the industry. The fact is that they are the same. Heim is actually the brand name when the first-rod end joint bearing was produced in the early 1940s. Heim Joint has become such a popular term that the name has always existed and has become commonplace to describe rod ends. This is no different from calling facial tissues facial tissues or soft drinks cola!
Standard rod end
Standard rod ends are suitable for light-duty applications that require minimal movement and mainly require low cost. They can be used in suspension applications, but they wear out faster than other types of rod ends and require more frequent replacement.
Precision rod end
Precision rod ends are an excellent choice for street-driven vehicle suspension components at medium power levels. The Kevlar seat ring and PTFE liner provide self-lubricating and durable joints. Compared with standard or Pro-1 rod ends, they run quieter and smoother. Compared with Standard or Pro-1, the disadvantage of Precision Line rod ends is that the misalignment angle is slightly reduced.
Pro-1 rod end
Pro-1 rod ends are an excellent choice for steering and suspension in mid-to-high horsepower racing applications. The high load rating provided by the chrome steel body and the two-piece design have excellent misalignment specifications, making it ideal for a variety of off-road and racing applications, especially circular track suspensions.
Chrome rod end
Chrome rod ends are an excellent choice for racing suspension and other high-load applications. The 4130 chrome steel body and injection-molded Kevlar raceways and PTFE lining reduce friction and provide self-lubrication. The large body design increases strength at the expense of reducing misalignment. These can play a good role in many off-road and high-horsepower racing suspension systems, especially the rear suspension system of drag racing.
Aluminum rod end
Aluminum rod ends are ideal for racing applications, where weight reduction is essential and can accept a slight reduction in the rated load. The injection-molded Kevlar seat ring with PTFE lining provides self-lubrication and reduces friction. Aluminum rod ends are widely used in circular rail cars permitted by regulations, usually Sprint cars and new models.
Special rod end
Speedway Motors also offers a variety of special rod end joints, including steering shaft elbow joints designed to support 3/4″ diameter steering shafts, chrome-plated elbow joints for display car suspension, and 11/16″ tie rod elbows for Instead of 11/16″-18 tie rod ends, and various male or female rod ends with studs, it is very suitable for making carburetors, brakes or gear shift links.
Rod end gaskets and seals
There are a variety of rod end gaskets to choose from to help install the rod end. From standard gaskets to tapered gaskets and even high misalignment gaskets, the choices are almost endless.
Another important addition to rod ends is the seals from Seals-It. These will seal off dust and debris, thereby extending the life of the rod end joint bearing and reducing maintenance intervals.
