Linkage rods act as the essential rigid “bridges” in machinery, connecting distinct components to translate raw input power into useful, controlled movement. They are indispensable in mechanical design for the following key reasons:
As rigid connectors, linkage rods bridge the physical gap between a power source and an output mechanism, reliably transferring both pushing and pulling forces where flexible cables would fail.
They act as mechanical translators, converting one form of movement into another, most notably transforming linear reciprocating motion (like a piston) into rotary motion (like a wheel), or vice-versa.
Linkages allow mechanical designers to redirect force around corners or obstacles and utilize leverage principles to gain mechanical advantage, changing the speed or strength of the output relative to the input.
By restricting degrees of freedom, linkage rods force components to travel strictly along precise, predetermined trajectories, ensuring stability and accuracy in systems like vehicle suspensions.
They connect separate parts of a machine to ensure coordinated, simultaneous actuation, guaranteeing that multiple components move in perfect timing and phase with one another.
Using swaged-tube construction, our linkage rods achieve reduced weight while increasing end strength. We support fully customized lengths to fit widened track widths or custom chassis setups.
Made from high-quality DOM tubing or 4130 chromoly, our rods offer consistent wall thickness. Compared with solid bars, hollow tubes significantly reduce unsprung weight while maintaining bending strength.
Direct tapping or welded threaded inserts provide exceptional thread precision. This ensures perfect engagement with rod ends, eliminates stripping risks, and makes length adjustment smooth and effortless.
Available in zinc plating, black oxide, or powder-coated finishes. These coatings deliver a rugged industrial aesthetic while resisting mud, moisture, and rock impacts under the chassis.
Absolutely! This is one of our core services. Provide your center-to-center length or tube length, and we’ll deliver a fully finished, plug-and-play linkage rod.
For off-road steering, we typically recommend at least .250″ (6.35 mm) wall DOM tubing. For rock-crawling builds, 7075 aluminum or heat-treated chromoly is strongly recommended.
We offer both round and hex-shaped options. Hex-shaped rods are popular because they allow easy alignment adjustments with a standard wrench—no pipe wrench needed.
Yes. As long as the thread size matches (e.g., 5/8-18 or 3/4-16), the rod will screw directly into the Heim joint with a jam nut. Our threading is clean and burr-free.
Absolutely. Our linkage rods are engineered for heavy-duty steering systems and can withstand the extreme push-pull forces generated by full hydraulic steering setups.
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