Because Owning And Flying Your Beechcraft Can Be Done Safely AND For Less Money!
 Genuine HEIM HM4, HMX5, HM5, HML6, HMXL6 & HM6 Rod Ends

 

Support Continued CSOBeech.com Content

 

With Your HEIM Rod End Purchase

 

 

 

 

 

NOTHING IN THIS PAGE SUPERSEDES YOUR

 

RESPONSIBILITY TO BE THE FINAL AUTHORITY ALONG WITH

 

YOUR LICENSED  MECHANIC AS TO THE AIRWORTHINESS OF

 

YOUR SELECTED PARTS FOR YOUR CERTIFIED AIRCRAFT.

 

Check Out FAA AC 23-27 HERE

 

 

PURPOSE: (Verbatim from AC 23-27) "This AC provides guidance for substantiating parts or materials substitutions to maintain the safety of old or out-of-production GA aircraft, or other GA aircraft where the parts or materials are either difficult or impossible to obtain. This AC also provides guidance about the data required to gain FAA approval for making these substitutions. In this AC, "we" refers to the FAA, and "you" refers to the aircraft owner or operator. You may use the data in this AC as "approved" data for substantiating parts or materials substitutions to vintage aircraft. The appendices include examples of parts substitutions and guidance on recording minor alterations through logbook entries. These guidelines will help owners avoid having to obtain a field approval for like substitutions on subsequent aircraft."

 

The AC23-27 on Page 12, further states : "BEARINGS. Bearing catalogs from general bearing supply houses state in their introductions that the bearings listed in their catalog meet ANSI (American National Standards Institute) specifications or exclusions. They also give cross-references. Usually, they list bearings for aviation applications. You must use the appropriate part from the cross-reference matrix.


Approval: This is a minor alteration and you may document it by a logbook entry. The logbook entry must reference the manufacturer's identification and industry specification for the original and replacement bearing."

 

Check Out FAA Standard Parts Document HERE

 

Check Out FAA AC 21-29 Change 1 HERE

 

Also, check out the Best Practices Guide for Maintaining Aging GA Airplanes publication, endorsed by AOPA, AAA, EAA and most importantly, the FAA:

 


Bringing Your Logbooks Into the 21st Century To Help You Identify Critical Replacement Items Like Rod Ends


CSOBeech is now able to offer the hard to find original HEIM brand rod ends at attractive pricing which will support the management and maintenance of the site. Please consider purchasing here to support the CSOBeech.com site.

 

HEIM HM4, HMX5, HM5, HML6, HMXL6 and HM6 rod ends have been found to be the Beech factory choice in their Part Catalogs as new parts on the older vintage Baron, Bonanza and Travel Air aircraft. Don't be a gear collapse statistic as a result of a 50 year old fatigued rod end.

 

 

The HMX5 is used in the heavier later model nose gear rod application. Two are usually required in the nose gear linkage. The HMX5 has a thread pitch of 3/8"-24 and a rod end bore of 5/16". Check out this landing gear system narrative HERE for additional rod end info.

 

The HMX5 has no grease fitting but has a maximum static radial load rating of 8,410# vs 4,920# for the same Heim rod end with a lubrication fitting (HMX5FG). To verify this data, please see the HEIM catalog specs HERE.

 

 

As of 10/02/2018, HEIM had very little stock on HMX5 rod ends and I may have purchased the last of them until they schedule another run. I have limited availability of the HMX5 rod end. So, here is a SealMaster Rod End bearing catalog that you can compare specs to the HEIM specs. You might look at ARE-5-20 on Page J-15. Also, HEIM lists the SealMaster ARE-5-20 as an interchange for their HMX5 in this Interchange Guide. Look at Page 4 of the HEIM Interchange Guide for the reference. If you and your mechanic decide that the SealMaster ARE-5-20 rod end is suitable for airworthiness in your aircraft, you can order that PN from me below.


Supply Chain issues are impacting inventory replenishment, not to mention the inflationary price increases . As of 12/10/2021 new inventory is expected sometime in January 2022. If you can accept this time frame for a backorder, feel free to order, otherwise, please don't order as PayPal will not refund their fee if you subsequently request a refund.


 

SealMaster ARE-5-20 Rod End

 

The smaller HM5 is typically used in early Bonanza, Travel Air and Baron nose gear rod ends at the nose gear well end of the rod and at the "V"-Brace" arm to push/pull on the nose gear mechanism (#48 in the part catalog extract below). The HM5 has a thread pitch of 5/16"-24 and a rod end bearing bore of 5/16". The HM5 has no grease fitting in the shaft to lower the load rating of the rod end. A little Corrosion X or ACF50 each year at annual should do just fine like the original non-grease fitting rod ends did. Two would be required in the nose gear mechanism.

 

 

 


 

The HML6 is typically used on the nose gear rod that connects to the landing gear transmission arm. The HML6 has no grease fitting in the shaft to lower the load rating of the rod end. The HML6 has a thread pitch of 3/8"-24 and a rod end bore of 3/8". Measuring the threaded rod through the belly inspection panel is a GREAT way to determine if you have the 3/8" shaft HML6 or the larger (7/16") HMXL6. A little Corrosion X or ACF50 each year at annual should do just fine like the original non-grease fitting rod ends did. This is a LEFT HANDED REVERSE THREAD rod end which makes the rod act like a turnbuckle to adjust nose gear tension values.

 

 

 


 

The HMXL6 is typically used on later model Bonanzas and Barons. The HMXL6 is a LEFT HAND REVERSE THREAD large thread pitch of 7/16"-20 with a 3/8" bearing bore that connects the nose gear rod to the landing gear transmission arm. If you find you have HMX5 rod ends in your forward nose gear rod, you MIGHT have the HMXL6 rod end at the back transmission arm connection. The HMXL6 has a thread pitch of 7/16"-20 and a rod end bore of 3/8". Measuring the threaded rod through the belly inspection panel is a GREAT way to determine if you have the 7/16" shaft HMXL6 or the smaller (3/8") HML6. The HMXL6 has no grease fitting in the shaft to lower the load rating of the rod end. A little Corrosion X or ACF50 each year at annual should do just fine like the original non-grease fitting rod ends did. This left hand reverse thread rod end allows the push rod to act like a turnbuckle to adjust nose gear tension values.

 

SPECIAL NOTE: As of March 2018, I was advised by the HEIM/RBC factory that the HMXL6 is obsolete and is no longer available! If your gear requires this particularly beefy rod end you will see in this HEIM Interchange Catalog that the equivalent to HMXL6 is the Spherco AREL-6-20. See the Spherco/Seal Master Rod End Catalog HERE for specs and details on the AREL-6-20. If you would like to buy this AREL-6-20 rod end, scroll below and click on the Buy It Now button.

 

 

 


 

The HM6 is typically used on the Main Landing Gear "push-pull" rods on the outboard ends (total of 2 per aircraft) as well as the elevator push/pull rods (total of 4 per aircraft) on the Baron aircraft. The HM6 has no grease fitting in the shaft to lower the load rating of the rod end. The HM6 has a thread pitch of 3/8"-24 and a rod end bearing bore of 3/8". A little CorrosionX or ACF50 each year at annual should do just fine like the original non-grease fitting rod ends listed in the Beech Parts Catalogs did.

 

 

 


 

The HEIM HM4 is typically used on the inner gear door rods. The HM4 has a thread pitch of 1/4"-28 and a rod end bore of 1/4". A pair of HM4 rod ends is on each inner gear door rod. A pair of HM4 is used on the nose steering rod in the nose gear well and 4 HM4s are used on each outer gear door. Things to remember:

 

At the outboard inner gear door connection the bolt head faces AFT!

 

 

At the inboard rod connection there are two little bushings that can easily be lost (creating a mega PITA search or high factory cost to replace). Cupping ones hand under the bolt during disassembly to catch the bushings can avoid this potential headache.

 

 

Inner Gear Door Rods Painted and Corrosion X inside center of rod & fitted with new

HEIM HM4 Rod Ends

 

Above are inner gear door rod ends all cleaned up and fitted with four new HEIM HM4 rod ends. These rod ends take a lot of pull tension since they are hard rod connected to the gear transmission. Laying the rods out on a large piece of paper and marking the center point of each rod end is a great way of getting the length close to the removed length. Why leave 50 year old rod ends in that area of gear?

 

 


 

The HEIM HML4 is a LEFT HAND THREAD and is typically found on the ailerons. The HML4 is no longer available. The HEIM Interchange Catalog lists the SealMaster TREL-4 as a suitable replacement. The HML4/TREL-4 has a thread pitch of 1/4"-28 and a rod end bore of 1/4". Check your IPC to confirm that this rod end is specified for your particular SN.

 


 

HEIM Spec Sheet Extracts

 

 

 

 

 


 



A Few Words About Bonanza Ruddervator Rod Ends



Bonanza_Ruddervators




It's been reported that older Bonanza IPCs show the ruddervator rod end to be a HEIM MD46-15


HERE is an Aurora Interchange spec sheet on the HEIM MD46-15M rod end which shows the Aurora GMM-4M-675 to be interchangeable.



HERE is the HEIM M-Series Rod End Spec Sheet.


HERE is a MANDATORY Beechcraft Service Bulletin regarding anti-corrosion measures for hollow shaft ruddervator rod ends.



HERE is an AOPA article seeking corrosion solutions for Bonanza ruddervators.



ABS Offers Cash Prizes for ruddervator replacement design.



HERE is a BT forum discussion regarding the use of the "M" suffix in rod end nomenclature.



The MD46-15M/
GMM-4M-675 rod end is a 3/8"-24 right hand threaded hollow shaft with a 1/4" bore and magnetic particle inspected.



 

 

IMPORTANT FITMENT INFO-PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

 

 

1. CHECK AN OLDER IPC* (ILLUSTRATED PART CATALOG)

 

WHICH IS LIKELY TO LIST THE ORIGINAL HEIM PNs TO

 

CONFIRM YOU ARE ORDERING THE PROPER ROD END!

 

 

 

2. REMOVE YOUR EXISTING ROD ENDS TO EXAMINE THE

 

BRONZE BUSHING FOR THE STAMPED PN ON YOUR EXISTING

 

HEIM HML-6 Rod End

 

ROD ENDS.

 

 

 

3. NOTHING IN THIS PAGE SUPERSEDES YOUR

 

RESPONSIBILITY TO BE THE FINAL AUTHORITY ALONG WITH

 

YOUR LICENSED  MECHANIC AS TO THE AIRWORTHINESS OF

 

YOUR SELECTED PARTS FOR YOUR CERTIFIED AIRCRAFT.

 

Check Out FAA AC 23-27 HERE

 

* If you do not have an IPC for your SN, just click HERE and I will help you find one.

 

 

 

23W Annual Gear Swing Check

 


 

 

 

AFTER READING THE ABOVE FITMENT INFO YOU CAN BUY

 

ANY OF THE ROD ENDS USING THE BUTTONS BELOW

 


 

HEIM HML4 Rod Ends NO LONGER AVAILABLE

 

(LEFT HAND Thread Typically Used in Ailerons)


See the HEIM Interchange Catalog to Confirm SealMaster TREL-4


as the Suitable Replacement


 

TREL4 Shipping Options

 



LS4 Bearing



The Heim LS4 press fit bearing

 

 

can be purchased below, just select your shipping location from the drop down box below and click Buy It Now.



Shipping

 



HM4 Rod Ends


Back in Stock


 

HM4 Shipping Options

 

 


 

HMX5 Rod Ends As of 1/13/2021 NO Stock Available

 

Click HERE for info on a lower cost HMX5 option

 

 

Heim HMX5 Rod End

 

 


 

HM5 Rod Ends

 

HM5 Shipping Options

 


 

HML6 Rod Ends

 

HML6 Shipping Options

 


 

 

HMXL6 Rod Ends - No Longer Available!

 

SPHERCO AREL-6-20 Equivalent is Available Below


Supply Chain issues are impacting inventory replenishment, not to mention the inflationary price increases . As of 12/10/2021 new AREL-6-20 inventory is expected sometime in January 2022. If you can accept this time frame for a backorder, feel free to order, otherwise, please don't order as PayPal will not refund their fee if you subsequently request a refund.

 

Spherco AREL-6-20 Rod End

 


 

HM6 Rod Ends

 

HM6 Shipping Options

 

 

Thanks for being a CSOBeech visitor and supporting CSOBeech with your HEIM purchases.