A Rod End bearing otherwise called a Heim Joint in the US is a mechanical articulating bearing that is utilized on the closures of control poles, guiding connections, tie poles, or anyplace an accuracy articulating joint is required. A Rod End is essentially a ball swivel bearing with an opening through which a bolt or fastener or some other connecting equipment may pass through and is squeezed into a roundabout packaging with a strung shaft joined.
The Nazi’s during WWll where the first to develop this particular pole end bearing type used in the German Luftwaffe specifically in their Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter aircraft. The US quickly adopted the new type of bearing control link and introduced it in many products including aircraft, automobiles, tractors and even on nuclear submarines.