Rod end bearings

[Mike G]

What rod end bearings are you using for the controls? Are they :

steel on steel,
steel on bronze composite,
steel on PTFE fabric
or
steel on PTFE composite?

Do you use rod end bearings with grease nipples?

Mike G

[autorotate]

Im suprised you havent recived any feedback. So i will put my 2 cents in. aircraft spruce may sell them, if they do i think it would be safe to say that they are aplication apropriot. I would probly would use steel with a ptfe liner.

[Mike Schallmann]

I have bought my rod ends from Grainger for the past 25 years-- I have never had a failure due to normal workload --I use a cupped fender washer in case of failure but it has never happened. Mine are non greasable and I get well over 300 hrs of flying time before they become slightly loose and I replace them --at a cost of about $5 --I use the 3/8 shank and I have to machine a bushing to fit in the hole to accecpt 1/4" bolts--I simply buy a length of 3/8 Aluminum rod and drill a hole through the center. I then cut it to length and lightly press them into the bearing.

Of course if you dont like this idea you can always get "aviation grade" at significantrly higher cost--it it makes you feel better!