Create a Bulletproof Custom Suspension with FK Rod Ends

Nobody serious about performance would think about building a custom suspension with OEM-style rubber bushings. That’s because stock bushings are prone to excessive flex that causes extreme body roll and reduces tire contact with the ground. They also degrade over time, becoming softer and less effective at isolating vibrations and flex the older they get. What’s a builder to do? Easy—use FK Rod Ends. 

FK Rod Ends are considerably better than ordinary bushings for performance vehicles—even the solid style ones. They’re stronger, deliver smoother articulation and movement with zero deflection, maintain precise alignment for improved control and handling, and offer a large range of adjustment. They’re simply a win-win-win for all forms of high-performance street vehicles, racing, rock crawling, and other motorsports activities.

Summit Racing carries FK Rod Ends in several materials and styles ranging from mild steel to alloy steel, chromoly steel, stainless steel, and even lightweight aluminum. Many FK Rod Ends are available with self-lubricating PTFE liners that increase load carrying capabilities as well as significantly reduce wear. PTFE liners also eliminate the need for messy grease fittings that attract dirt and weaken the rod end—plus no more worries about grease dripping onto the ground or getting on your arms/clothing when working on your car.

Some of the FK Rod Ends and components available at Summit Racing include:

CMX/CFX Series Rod Ends
FK CMX Series male and CFX Series female, two-piece rod ends have an alloy steel body that’s heat-treated for strength and a black-oxide finish for durability and corrosion resistance. The ball is made of 52100 steel and is hard chrome-plated for long life. Some are available PTFE lined, but most CMX Series Rod Ends have a metal-to-metal design, meaning there is no lining between the race and the ball. They are available in SAE thread sizes.

JMX/JMXL Series Rod Ends
The JMX/JMXL Series three-piece rod ends from FK have heat-treated steel alloy bodies and races that are zinc-plated and chromate treated for corrosion resistance. The balls are made from hard chrome-plated 52100 steel for excellent wear and durability. Some JMX/JMXL ends have a metal-to-metal design while others have high-load PTFE liners. They are available in SAE and metric thread sizes.

HRSMX-T/HIN-T Series Rod Ends
High strength, three-piece FK HRSMX-T/HIN-T Series Rod Ends feature a high misalignment design for increased articulation without the need for spacers. They have self-lubricating PTFE liners for longer service life. HRSMX-T/HIN-T Series Rod Ends are made from zinc-plated, heat-treated, and chromate-treated 4340 steel bodies and races with hard chrome-plated steel balls. They are available in SAE thread sizes.

RSMX Series Rod Ends
FK RSMX Series Rod Ends are a three-piece design with extra-strong rods and heavy-duty shanks. Their alloy steel bodies and races are heat-treated, chromate-treated, and zinc-plated for strength and durability. Their durable 52100 steel balls are heat-treated and hard chrome-plated. They are available with or without PTFE liners in SAE thread sizes only. 

Spherical Bearings
FK Wide Series Spherical Bearings are a great choice for fabricating long travel suspension arms and links. They’re also a good choice for A-arm style control arms. The heat-treated stainless-steel bearings feature a PTFE liner and a 440C heat-treated stainless steel ball. Narrow Series Bearings also have a PTFE liner and are available in alloy steel or stainless steel.

Weldable Tube Ends
To fabricate rear control arms, linkages, wishbones, or suspension links, you’re going to need some type of tube end. FK Weldable Tube Ends are made from a specialized type of chromoly steel that is easy to weld to DOM steel tubing. They’re available in a variety of sizes in either right- or left-hand thread applications.

Summit Racing offers many other FK parts and accessories such as high-misalignment bushings, jam nuts, clevises, bearing cups, and more to help you build any suspension system you can dream up.

SEE ALL FK ROD ENDS PARTS AND ACCESSORIES AT SUMMIT RACING