Please ensure that there is sufficient thread engagement to provide an adequate factor of safety. When fitting or adjusting threaded rods into linkage components, a minimum of one and a half diameters of thread engagement is advised.
We manufacture all traditional thread forms and pitches including BA, BSF, BSW, UNC, UNF plus ISO coarse and fine pitch metric threads.
Care must be taken when adjusting linkage assemblies to ensure that the ball studs operate within their specified articulation angle as shown on the individual product page, over the full travel of the assembly. If practicable, a mechanical stop should be incorporated into the design to prevent any overrun.
Using lighter weight connecting rods can in some cases alleviate premature wear This can occur when there is vibration in the linkage assembly and is particularly relevant when using ‘all steel’ ball joints. Alternatively, consideration should be given to the use of composite Ball Joints such as the ‘A’ series.
Fitted protective Gaiters are an option for most Ball Joints and should be specified when they will operate in wet or abrasive environments. In some applications the Gaiter will also assist in damping down vibration. Please note that in some cases a fitted Gaiter will reduce ball stud articulation. Gaiters featured on this web site are always molded in Polychloroprene.
Stainless Steel Ball Joints are available for use in corrosive environments.
Because of the synthetic materials featured in certain Ball Joints and Rod Ends, the overall recommended operating temperature range for our products is minus 40°C/40°F to plus 100°C/212°F. However, many products will function outside this range so please contact us for performance advice: visit the Special Test Facilities page. All ball joints studs and bodies are assembled with a high performance grease.
Metric and Inch Rod Ends based on DIN ISO 12240-4 (DIN 648), are available female or male, RH and LH threads with or without studs.
The standard finish, except for CM and IMG products, is zinc plated and yellow passivated, our codes F1 or F11, including routine de-embrittling, where relevant. The standard finish for CM and IMG products is zinc plated and clear passivated including routine de-embrittling, where relevant, our codes F2 or F12. In blind holes, such as Ball Joint bodies, only partial plating is achievable.
In order to avoid a fouling condition between Rods and Clevises, any required adjustment should be achieved without the need for rod passage into Clevis slot. Where this cannot be avoided we have designed special extended adjustment Clevises; please contact us for further details.
Stainless Steel Clevises assembled with Stainless Steel Clevis Pin, Washers and Split Pins are available to satisfy food industry, marine and similar environment.
The large and versatile accessory range of Clevis Pins, Clevis Spring Pins, Retaining Clips and Safety Fasteners are all designed and toleranced to achieve maximum assembly performance with our Clevises.
The ES range of Clevis Spring Pins allows rapid one-piece assembly to and removal from the Clevis. If heavy directional torque is induced in the Pin component, ensure that the rotational forces draw the clip feature on to the Clevis by fitting the Pin into the appropriate side of the Clevis. Also available are Special Spring Pins with Induction Hardened Pin and Rotating Pin feature to suit heavy torque applications, in either direction.
The standard finish is zinc plated and yellow passivated including routine de-embrittling, where relevant, including the internal Clevis threads, our codes F1 or F11. Please see Finish Codes list.
To provide added strength and avoid the on-cost of turning and thread-cutting, we recommend that linkage rods are quoted to be manufactured from thread rolling size mild steel material, with ends cropped and thread rolled for greater strength and economy. The ‘rolling diameters’ range from 2mm up to 12mm or inch equivalents; rod lengths range from 12mm up to 3m. Threads include BA, BSF, BSW, ISO Metric, UNC and UNF.
However, quotations for cut threads are also available on request. When inquiring, please specify the overall rod length, minimum thread lengths, thread pitch and size and whether right or left hand. If required, to facilitate adjustment, please advise the position of pressed flats or an identity/adjustment knurl, which are normally positioned near the LH thread end.
A combination of right hand and left hand threads on both the rod and linkage components allows precise assembly length adjustment without disconnection; right hand threaded products can only be adjusted to within one thread pitch.
The standard finish is zinc plated and yellow passivated including routine de-embrittling, where relevant, our codes F1 or F11. At time of inquiry, please confirm that this finish is acceptable to you.
Linkages assemblies are built and shipped loose for final adjustment at the point of fit. Alternatively, where required, by using length-setting gauges, linkages can be supplied to predetermined centers.
A combination of right hand and left hand threads on both the rod and linkage components allows precise assembly length adjustment without disconnection; right hand threaded products can only be adjusted to within one thread pitch. To facilitate adjustment, please advise the position of either pressed flats or an identity/adjustment knurl.
Brass CW 609 N (CZ 121)
Carbon Steel Strip CS 70
Plastics Nylon 6
Nylon 66 with Molybdenum Disulphide and Nylon 66 30% glass-filled Polyurethane
Steel: Rods 040 A 10 and 080 A 42
Steel: Turned parts 230 M 07 pb
Steel: Stainless 303 S 31
For further information on steel grades, please refer to our steel comparison charts.
The information contained in this web site is intended to assist the specifier and user in the selection and application of Springfix products and it is believed to be reliable. However, it is the responsibility of the specifier and user to determine suitability for purpose, methods or apparatus and to adopt such safety precautions as may be advisable. Springfix operates a policy of continuing improvement and reserves the right to amend specifications, without prior notice.