Rod End Discussion from RotorCraft Conference
Aircraft Spruce has the Aurora Rod ends. The MM4 is the 1/4" and the MM6 is the 3/8" If you want teflon, add a T (MM4T) to the part number.
Richard,
I have the numbers AND I won't give you a lecture. While Chuck mentions the "Aurora" brand, I am under the impression that the "Heim" brand is better and preferable. "Aurora" bearings offer "substantial savings" over the Heim, according to Spruce's catalogue. "Substantial savings" in any product are usually, not always, but usually accomplished by using inferior components or assembly procedures or taking some shorcut somewhere. I'd spend the extra 2 to 3 bucks and get Heims, myself. This is just my feeling.
If you want to be extra cautious, you can specify the Magnafluxed version, although these are usually not in stock and have to be ordered through Spruce. Maybe other bearing houses have them in stock. Look in the "Yellow Pages" under "Bearings." Even if you're not near a major urban area, most places handle mail-orders easily.
The ones you need to replace the "cheapies" in the control system of the RAF are 2 of the HM-4 and 8 of the HM-6. This will replace the rod-ends in the critical control system. The rest, to me, don't appear to be too critical, like on the landing gear struts that don't basically move, so I didn't replace those.
Ken J. - SDCAUSA