Where can I get quality aluminum rod ends?

[kfxguy]

Been on the hunt for quite a while. I have yet to find anything precision or quality. I've ordered a few different ones and they all have slack. I looking for some 3mm rod ends for my steering linkage. I've found some nice nylon ones but I prefer some nice aluminum ones. Anyone found some quality ones? This is what I'm after:

[DCMW]

RC4WD has some very nice ones very well built, way better than the Integy ones.

[kfxguy]

Sorry, meant to put in my post the rc4wd was the first place I ordered some from and they are just as bad as the China ones. I may have a lead on some aircraft quality ones from an industrial supply company around the corner from my work. Came across this company after I posted this. A company called rbc bearing makes them.

[rickwess]

These look good:

http://store.rc4wd.com/High-Precision-Billet-Tie-Rod-End-M3-Silver-10_p_4463.html

[kfxguy]

These look good:

http://store.rc4wd.com/High-Precisio...10_p_4463.html

I gotta look at the ones I have at home. I can't remember if that's the ones I bought. I doubt it if it's saying high precision and the ones I have are quite sloppy.

[RaceMechaniX]

McMaster Carr has high precision ball joints from 6-32 on up. Expect to pay $50 per end if you want quality.

6-32 http://www.mcmaster.com/#=zkgmz2
8-32 http://www.mcmaster.com/#=zkgo7t

They also have female variants as well.

[kfxguy]

These look good:

http://store.rc4wd.com/High-Precisio...10_p_4463.html

I looked at the ones I have last night and they don't look like these so I ordered some last night to check them out.

Tyler, thx. I had actually found those in my searching but I don't want to spend $100 for two rod ends at this point. They are more or less for the bling factor. What I'm doing now is working I just wanted a more elegant option. I'm running stainless 1/8" rod, turn down the end and thread to 4-40. Then I'm using the hd dub to nylon end which is much nicer and more beefy than the standard ones.

[kfxguy]

I found these and ordered a couple to check them out. They look nice

http://www.dreamworksrc.com/catalog/Machined-Ball-Link-4-40-Rh

[srislash]

The hard part Trav is keeping grease between the metals. I have found on the off road cars it was just easier to replace the plastic ones often cheaply. They last just as long. That being said my ones on the Fantasm are still holding up but they are MBP supplied.

I did find some supposed better grease on the site. It is for flexes but may work better at sticking to the metals.

[Darin Jordan]

I found these and ordered a couple to check them out. They look nice


http://www.dreamworksrc.com/catalog/...l-Link-4-40-Rh

I'm sure you've already considered this, but while solid, sexy, and "blingy" is nice, something, SOMEWHERE, has to give in the event of a strike. The more solid you make the steering system, the more expensive the components (servos, etc.) that will break. Make sure you design in a good, sacrificial and inexpensive failure point, or something to otherwise absorb the impact.

[kfxguy]

I'm sure you've already considered this, but while solid, sexy, and "blingy" is nice, something, SOMEWHERE, has to give in the event of a strike. The more solid you make the steering system, the more expensive the components (servos, etc.) that will break. Make sure you design in a good, sacrificial and inexpensive failure point, or something to otherwise absorb the impact.

Good point. The rod is pretty stiff but will still bend. Not the one in the pic though. Ive trying to swap rods to these 3mm ones I have but finding good ones are the problem.


Srislash where did you get your mbp ones? I was going to get some from mbp but the shipping was ridiculous ($150).

[Darin Jordan]

Good point. The rod is pretty stiff but will still bend. Not the one in the pic though. Ive trying to swap rods to these 3mm ones I have but finding good ones are the problem.


Srislash where did you get your mbp ones? I was going to get some from mbp but the shipping was ridiculous ($150).

You can use something like a brass screw to hold them to the rudder arm. That should shear, which would save the rest of the system... Just an idea.

[kfxguy]

I just emailed Steve to see if he'd order me some mbp ones. Maybe I could sweet talk him into stocking some. They look nice and we all know mbp is nice stuff

[kfxguy]

You can use something like a brass screw to hold them to the rudder arm. That should shear, which would save the rest of the system... Just an idea.

Very good idea. I'll do that. Thx

[srislash]

Good point. The rod is pretty stiff but will still bend. Not the one in the pic though. Ive trying to swap rods to these 3mm ones I have but finding good ones are the problem.


Srislash where did you get your mbp ones? I was going to get some from mbp but the shipping was ridiculous ($150).

I got them before the 'Incident' that created the pricey shipping.

I may have more