Buy Rod Ends Online in Australia
A rod end (also called a heim joint or rose joint) is a threaded shank with a spherical bearing in the head, so a linkage can pivot and take up some misalignment. AIMS Industrial lists 32 rod ends and linkage ball joints: 8 IKO rod end bearings, 2 SDTZ studded rod ends, 2 ECO rod ends and 20 Champion linkage ball joints.
What's in the range
| Brand and type | What is listed |
|---|---|
| IKO rod end bearings (8) | Metric POS (male thread) and PHS (female thread), bores 3 to 25 mm, in right hand and left hand. Inch POSB (male thread) and PHSB (female thread), bores 3/16 to 1 inch, in right hand and left hand. These are lubrication type, insert type PILLOBALL rod ends with a chromium plated spherical inner ring in a copper alloy bushing. They are not supplied with prepacked grease, so lubricate before use. |
| SDTZ studded rod ends (2) | Female threaded housing with a male threaded ball stud, tilt up to 40 degrees, rubber sealed and lubricated for life. Right hand M5 to M12 (7 sizes) and left hand M6 to M12. |
| ECO rod ends (2) | NBR studded rod end with a female imperial thread, in a sealed rubber boot, and a metric male ball stud rod end with an 8 mm bore. |
| Champion linkage ball joints (20) | Quick disconnect, spring loaded, damper control, heavy duty, 90 degree and light weight in-line ball joints, mostly in 1/4 and 5/16 inch UNC and UNF threads, plus metric and imperial assortment kits. |
Choosing a rod end
Start with the thread: male or female, right hand or left hand, metric or imperial, and the bore or size. A male rod end screws into a tapped hole or nut, and a female rod end takes a threaded rod or stud. Left-hand and right-hand rod ends fitted to opposite ends of one rod let you adjust the length by turning the rod. Then check the load, the tilt angle your linkage needs and whether the joint will be lubricated in service. The IKO catalogue values for each size, including load capacities and tilt angles, are on each product page. Champion linkage ball joints suit control linkages such as throttle and brake linkages and agricultural machinery control rods.
Always check the data sheet. Catalogue values are for reference. Confirm the thread, load rating, tilt angle and lubrication before you rely on a rod end.
Related ranges
See spherical bushings, bearings and turnbuckles. Brands: IKO, SDTZ, ECO and Champion.
Order from AIMS Industrial
Not sure which rod end fits your linkage? Call us on (02) 9773 0122, contact our team or request a quote. We have supplied Australian industry since 1988 and can help you match a rod end to the thread, bore and load. If you need a metric fine thread or another size, ask and we will check availability.
Rod end FAQs
What is the difference between a male and a female rod end?
A male rod end has an external thread on its shank, so it screws into a tapped hole or nut. A female rod end has an internal thread and takes a threaded rod or stud. The head is the same, only the shank connection differs.
Why are there left-hand and right-hand rod ends?
One of each fitted to opposite ends of a rod lets you adjust the length by turning the rod, without removing either rod end. Check the thread hand at each end before ordering a pair.
Do the IKO rod ends need lubrication?
Yes. The IKO POS, PHS, POSB and PHSB rod ends are not supplied with prepacked grease and should be lubricated before use. On the metric POS and PHS series the larger bores have a grease nipple on the body.
Which rod end is sealed and lubricated for life?
The SDTZ studded rod ends are rubber sealed and lubricated for life, with a tilt angle of up to 40 degrees. The ECO studded rod end is in a sealed NBR rubber boot.
What sizes are listed?
IKO metric rod ends have bores from 3 to 25 mm and inch rod ends have bores from 3/16 to 1 inch. SDTZ studded rod ends run from M5 to M12. Champion linkage ball joints are mainly 1/4 and 5/16 inch UNC and UNF.
Can you help me pick a rod end?
Yes. Tell us the thread, the bore, the load and the linkage, or call (02) 9773 0122, and we will point you to the right one.