Where can I buy 50mm Rod stock?

racerboy832 · Jul 4, 2016

I need to replace badly pitted track adjuster rod on my Mini EX. They are 50mm X 137mm long. It looks like hydraulic cylinder stock. Where can I buy some of that?

CCWKen · Jul 4, 2016

Just do a search on hydraulic cylinder rod stock and you'll get many places. Some hydraulic parts/repair shops stock it too. Is it plated or un-plated? Threaded?

50mm is a common size the 137mm is a pretty short piece. You may have to buy a minimum length unless a repair shop will cut it.

racerboy832 · Jul 4, 2016

The local place is usually way expensive. I will google around some more to see whats out there.. Any idea how hard that stuff is to cut?

Steave · Jul 4, 2016

McMaster-Carr

McMaster Carr. I'm not sure what kind of shaft you need but this will get you in the ball park.

CCWKen · Jul 4, 2016

How hard it is to cut will depend on what type and state (hardened/not hardened) of the rod. Common W-1 drill rod in mill state can be machined but is pretty hard to begin with. It varies at ~RC-30 to ~RC-45. I use a lot of it for making one-off rolling dies for my bead roller (sheet metal work). How you plan to cut it is another question. Machine cutting is pretty easy but if you're talking about a hacksaw, that's a different story.

It may be cheaper to just have a machine shop make you a new one or order one from a dealer. You don't give many specs or details. Your question was; where can you buy rod. I can lay down five pieces of rod that look the same but have entirely different metal qualities and hardness.

racerboy832 · Jul 5, 2016

It could be basically any steel. The original one looked like cylinder rod material. I figured 50mm cylinder would be common. It's just a slack adjuster for a track. It doesn't move unless you put grease in it. The original one is extremely pitted.