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Rod end FLURO GASW 18 – M18x1.5 male, right-hand, maintenance-free PTFE (uniball)
- Rod end (uniball) FLURO GASW 18 with M18x1.5 right-hand male thread and 18 mm bore. Maintenance-free, PTFE liner, load capacity 38.5 kN. For motorsport and machinery.
FLURO GASW 18 rod end – M18x1.5 right-hand male thread, 18 mm bore, maintenance-free (PTFE)
FLURO GASW 18 is a maintenance-free rod end (also referred to as a rose joint, spherical rod end bearing, or male uniball) with an M18x1.5 right-hand male (external) thread and an 18 mm ball bore diameter. It supports a static load rating up to 38.5 kN and a dynamic load rating up to 64.0 kN, and thanks to its steel / PTFE sliding contact surface, it requires no lubrication throughout its entire service life.
This rod end belongs to the GASW series manufactured by the German company FLURO-Gelenklager GmbH, produced in dimension series K in accordance with DIN ISO 12240-4. This series is engineered for operation under dynamic loads, making it ideal for motorsport, mechanical engineering, and any application where a linkage must compensate for misalignment and operate without play.
In size 18, the standard thread for the GASW series is the M18x1.5 fine-pitch thread (1.5 mm pitch), rather than the standard coarse-pitch M18 thread with a 2.5 mm pitch. Therefore, when selecting a locknut or an internally threaded tie rod, be sure to check the thread pitch.
Key specifications at a glance
- Manufacturer: FLURO-Gelenklager GmbH (Germany)
- Manufacturer part number: GASW 18 (ISO designation equivalent: GAKR 18 PW)
- Type: male (external thread) rod end, maintenance-free
- Thread: M18x1.5 (fine-pitch, 1.5 mm pitch), right-hand
- Ball bore diameter: 18 mm
- Static load rating: 38.5 kN
- Dynamic load rating: 64.0 kN
- Sliding contact pair: steel / PTFE
- Standard: DIN ISO 12240-4, dimension series K
- Sold as: 1 piece
Technical specifications FLURO GASW 18
| Parameter | Value (metric) | Value (imperial) |
|---|---|---|
| Thread (G) | M18x1.5 external (male), right-hand | – |
| Ball bore diameter (d) | 18 mm | 0.71" |
| Head outer diameter (D) | 46 mm | 1.81" |
| Ball / inner ring width (W) | 23 mm | 0.91" |
| Housing / outer ring width (T) | 16.5 mm | 0.65" |
| Center of ball to end of shank (L) | 72 mm | 2.83" |
| Overall length | 95 mm | 3.74" |
| Thread length (GM) | 44 mm | 1.73" |
| Tilt / misalignment angle | 15° in each direction (30° total) | – |
| Maximum static load rating (C0) | 38.5 kN | 8655 lbf |
| Maximum dynamic load rating (C) | 64.0 kN | 14388 lbf |
| Limiting rotational speed | 210 rpm | 210 rpm |
| Weight | 267 g | 0.59 lb |
| Lubrication | maintenance-free – do not lubricate | – |
Construction and materials
Housing (body with threaded shank)
The housing in size 18 is forged from C22 heat-treated steel and zinc-plated for corrosion protection. In the GASW series, housings from size 14 and above are forged, while smaller sizes (up to and including size 12) are CNC-turned from free-cutting steel.
Bearing liner
The bearing liner is made of free-cutting steel with a bonded PTFE sliding layer. This liner ensures maintenance-free operation and zero clearance (play-free performance).
Ball (inner ring)
The ball is manufactured from 100Cr6 (AISI 52100) bearing steel – hardened, ground, and polished.
Applications
GASW series rod ends are used in linkages that transmit axial forces along the rod while allowing angular misalignment. Typical applications for the M18x1.5 size include:
- reaction rods and trailing/control arms,
- sway bar / anti-roll bar end links,
- adjustable suspension links and tie rods (subject to load verification),
- adjustable tie rods and struts in tubular structures,
- aerodynamic element supports,
- joints in machinery, automation systems, and actuators.
Selecting the proper rod end for a specific joint must take into account actual operating loads and the required safety factor – this is the responsibility of the designer or installer.
Installation guidelines
- An 18 mm diameter bolt or pin passes through the ball bore.
- Secure the threaded shank using an M18x1.5 (fine-pitch) locknut (jam nut) – a standard M18 nut with a 2.5 mm coarse pitch will not fit.
- The threaded shank should be screwed in to a depth of at least 1.5 times the thread diameter, i.e. a minimum of 27 mm.
- Do not lubricate the rod end – grease and oils degrade the performance of the PTFE liner.
- To utilize the full misalignment angle, high-misalignment (tapered) spacers should be fitted on both sides of the ball.
Frequently asked questions
What thread does the FLURO GASW 18 rod end have?
The FLURO GASW 18 rod end features an M18x1.5 fine-pitch male (external), right-hand thread. The thread length is 44 mm.
What bolt fits the bore of the GASW 18 rod end?
The ball bore diameter is 18 mm, so it accepts an 18 mm diameter bolt or pin.
What load rating does the FLURO GASW 18 support?
The maximum static load rating is 38.5 kN (8655 lbf), and the dynamic load rating is 64.0 kN (14388 lbf).
Does the GASW 18 rod end require lubrication?
No. The rod end is maintenance-free – the bearing liner has a PTFE sliding layer that must not be lubricated. The rod end has no grease nipple.
What is the difference between GASW 18 and GALSW 18?
GASW 18 has a right-hand thread, whereas GALSW 18 has a left-hand thread. Pairing right-hand and left-hand rod ends on opposite ends of a single tie rod allows turnbuckle length adjustment without disassembly.
What is the tilt angle of the GASW 18 rod end?
The ball tilts by 15° in each direction, giving a total misalignment angle of 30°.
What materials is the FLURO GASW 18 rod end made of?
The housing is forged from C22 heat-treated steel and zinc-plated, the liner is free-cutting steel with a bonded PTFE layer, and the ball is hardened, ground, and polished 100Cr6 bearing steel.
Is the price for a single piece?
Yes, the price is for 1 piece of the FLURO GASW 18 rod end.