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SAE J1120 Male Spherical Rod End Bearings

spherical Male Rod End

Male Spherical Rod End Bearings

Aetna Screw is a certified SAE J1120 male rod end bearing manufacturer supplying OEMs, distributors, and industrial engineers worldwide. Our male spherical rod end bearings — also known as heim joints in motorsports and automotive applications — deliver superior self-alignment, low friction, and extended wear life across the most demanding operating environments. Available in multiple series, material compositions, and protective coatings, Aetna's male rod ends are precision-engineered to meet strict dimensional tolerances and interchangeable SAE J1120 specifications. Custom per-print configurations and PPAP support are available upon request.

Male Rod End Bearing Series & Specifications

Available series: ASPM | ACM | ACM-T | AMAX-T | SSM-T — Industrial & Commercial Grade, 2-Piece Construction 

All male spherical rod end bearings are designed and manufactured to SAE J1120 specifications for full interchangeability across industrial and commercial applications. 

  • ASPM, ACM, ACM-T & AMAX-T series: Spherical ball manufactured from 52100 bearing steel — precision ground, surface hardened for wear resistance, and hard chrome plated for corrosion protection. 
  • Rod end body manufactured from 1045 steel with a minimum 0.0003" RoHS-compliant Trivalent zinc plating. ASPM series includes an additional Yellow Dichromate topcoat for enhanced corrosion resistance. 
  • AMAX-T series: Rod end body constructed from high-alloy steel with a Black Oxide finish for heavy-duty and high-load applications 
  • SSM-T series: Spherical ball manufactured from 440C Stainless Steel — precision ground and surface hardened. Rod end body constructed from 300-series Stainless Steel, ideal for corrosive or washdown environments. 
  • Left-hand threads are available across all sizes and series. Left-hand units are clearly marked for easy identification during installation. 
  • To order left-hand thread, add the suffix "L" to your part number (e.g., ASPML8).
  • All coating and plating options are available upon request. Please provide your coating specifications when contacting us — our team will confirm compatibility and lead times.

Male Rod End Bearing Applications

Aetna's SAE J1120 male spherical rod end bearings — engineered for precision motion control and misalignment compensation — serve critical roles across a wide range of industries:

  • Heavy Machinery & Construction: Withstands high radial and axial loads in excavators, cranes, and loaders where structural durability is non-negotiable.
  • Motorsports & Automotive: Used as heim joint rod ends in suspension, steering, and throttle linkages where precise control and reliability are essential.
  • Industrial Automation & Robotics: Enables smooth, repeatable motion in robotic arms, actuators, and automated assembly systems.
  • Aerospace & Defense: Meets tight dimensional tolerances required for control linkages in demanding, mission-critical environments.
  • Material Handling: Supports reliable load transfer and angular misalignment compensation in conveyors, hoists, and lifting equipment.
  • Agriculture & Forestry: Performs under heavy cyclic loading in tractors, harvesters, and implement linkages operating across variable terrain.

Partner with Aetna Screw

Ready to source SAE J1120 male rod end bearings for your application? Aetna Screw supports custom per-print builds, PPAP Level 1–3, and volume OEM orders. Request a Quote or Contact Us to discuss specifications.

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THE MALE SERIES ASPM SPHERICAL ROD ENDS features high-strength injection molded, self-lubricating nylon raceway design. The raceways will withstand temperatures from -30° to 220°F under normal load conditions and will not conduct electricity. They feature high wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction.

AETNA
PART NO.
A Thread
Size
AAEGHJLMNUltimate Radial Load Capacity (Pounds)Tensile
Strength (Pounds)
Wt. Per 100 (Pounds)
ASPM3 10-32 .190/.192 .625 1.250 .750 1.562 .438 .250 .312 1,210 ---- 2.3
ASPM4 1/4-28 .2495/.2525 .750 1.562 1.000 1.937 .516 .281 .375 2,510 2,470 4.3
ASPM5 5/16-24 .3120/.3145 .875 1.875 1.250 2.312 .625 .344 .437 3,430 2,740 7.2
ASPM6 3/8-24 .375/.377 1.000 1.937 1.250 2.437 .719 .406 .500 5,520 4,210 10.6
ASPM7 7/16-20 .4375/4395 1.125 2.125 1.312 2.687 .812 .437 .562 5,350 ---- 14.8
ASPM8 1/2-20 .500/.502 1.312 2.437 1.500 3.094 .938 .500 .625 8,690 6,430 20.7
ASPM10 5/8-18 .625/.627 1.500 2.625 1.625 3.375 1.125 .484 .750 10,300 8,300 36.2
ASPM12  3/4-16  .750/.752  1.750  2.875  1.750  3.750  1.312  .687  .875  15,894 10,900 57.0

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THE MALE SERIES ACM SPHERICAL ROD ENDS have some similar features of the ASPM but with a metal to metal raceway design.

AETNA
PART NO.
A Thread
Size
AAEGHJLMNUltimate Radial Load Capacity (Pounds)
ACM3 10-32 .1895/1925 .625 1.250 .750 1.562 .437 .250 .312 1,170
ACM4 1/4-28 .250/.252 .750 1.562 1.000 1.937 .500 .250 .375 2,157
ACM5 5/16-24 .3125/.3145 .875 1.875 1.250 2.312 .625 .312 .437 3,469
ACM6 3/8-24 .375/.377 1.000 1.938 1.250 2.437 .719 .359 .500 4,916
ACM7 7/16-20 .437/.4395 1.125 2.125 1.375 2.687 .812 .437 .562 6,162
ACM8 1/2-20 .500/.502 1.312 2.438 1.500 3.094 .937 .453 .625 8,075
ACM10 5/8-18 .625/.627 1.500 2.625 1.625 3.375 1.125 .484 .750 9,509
ACM12 3/4-16 .750/.752 1.750 2.875 1.750 3.750 1.312 .593 .875 13,831

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THE MALE SERIES ACM-T SPHERICAL ROD ENDS have some similar features of the ASPM but with a PTFE lined raceway design. 

AETNA
PART NO.
A Thread
Size
AAEGHJLMNUltimate Radial Load Capacity (Pounds)
ACM3T 10-32 .1895/1925 .625 1.250 .750 1.562 .437 .250 .312 1,170
ACM4T 1/4-28 .250/.252 .750 1.562 1.000 1.937 .500 .250 .375 2,157
ACM5T 5/16-24 .3125/.3145 .875 1.875 1.250 2.312 .625 .312 .437 3,469
ACM6T 3/8-24 .375/.377 1.000 1.938 1.250 2.437 .719 .359 .500 4,916
ACM7T 7/16-20 .437/.4395 1.125 2.125 1.375 2.687 .812 .437 .562 6,162
ACM8T 1/2-20 .500/.502 1.312 2.438 1.500 3.094 .937 .453 .625 8,075
ACM10T 5/8-18 .625/.627 1.500 2.625 1.625 3.375 1.125 .484 .750 9,509
ACM12T 3/4-16 .750/.752 1.750 2.875 1.750 3.750 1.312 .593 .875 13,831

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THE MALE SERIES AMAX-T ALLOY STEEL SPHERICAL ROD ENDS have some similar features of the ACM series but with an Alloy Steel Body, a PTFE lined raceway design and Black Oxide plating.

AETNA
PART NO.
A Thread
Size
AA E G H J L M N Ultimate
Radial Load
Capacity
(Pounds)
Approx.
Weight
(Pounds)
AMAX8T 1/2-20 .500/.502 1.312 2.438 1.500 2.812 .938 .453 .625 16,646 .24
AMAX10T 5/8-18 .625/.627 1.500 2.625 1.625 3.250 1.125 .484 .750 17,415 .36
AMAX12T 3/4-16 .750/.752 1.750 2.875 1.750 3.750 1.312 .593 .875 24,038 .57

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THE MALE SERIES SSM-T SPHERICAL ROD ENDS have some similar features of the ASPM series but with a Stainless Steel ball and body and a PTFE lined raceway design.

AETNA
PART NO.
A Thread
Size
AAEGHJLMNUltimate Radial Load Capacity (Pounds)Approx. Weight (Pounds)
SSM3T 10-32 .189/.192 .625 1.250 .750 1.562 .437 .234 .312 900 .03
SSM4T 1/4-28 .250/.252 .750 1.562 1.000 1.937 .500 .250 .375 1,350 .04
SSM5T 5/16-24 .3125/.3145 .875 1.875 1.250 2.312 .625 .312 .437 2,000 .07
SSM6T 3/8-24 .375/.377 1.000 1.938 1.250 2.437 .719 .359 .500 3,000 .11
SSM7T 7/16-20 .437/.440 1.125 2.125 1.375 2.687 .812 .406 .562 3,750 .15
SSM8T 1/2-20 .500/.502 1.312 2.438 1.500 3.094 .875 .453 .625 4,650 .24
SSM10T 5/8-18 .625/.627 1.500 2.625 1.625 3.375 1.062 .484 .750 5,850 .36
 SSM12T  3/4-16  .750/.752  1.750  2.875  1.750  3.750  1.250  .593  .875  7,500 .57

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