Pivot and hinge components in wet and corrosive environments with these stainless steel or brass rod end bolts. They're commonly known as swing bolts and eyebolts. With no moving parts, they're less likely to wear out than ball joint rod ends, although they don't compensate for misalignment as effectively. Use them to guide and connect components, such as tubing, or as a turnbuckle to tension wire and cable. They can also be used as tie downs and hinges.

With external threads, these bolts hold fast to female threaded components in applications where high shear strength is required, such as water pumps, alternators, and motor mounts. Because the shank is only partially threaded, they handle a greater amount of force from the side than bolts with a fully threaded shank.

Brass rod end bolts resist corrosion in humid and wet environments, but not as well as stainless steel bolts. They're also not as strong. Often, brass bolts are chosen for their look, or to match other components, such as hinges.

303 and 304 stainless steel rod end bolts won't rust in humid, wet, and washdown environments. They're stronger than brass bolts and nearly as strong as steel. They will rust when exposed to salt water and chemicals, however. Black-oxide 304 stainless steel rod end bolts have a matte-black finish that adds some corrosion resistance but is mostly chosen for its looks.

DIN 444 rod end bolts meet an international standard for rod end dimensions.