RELS.. Side Seals for Rod Ends

06/02/2026

RELS.. side seals for rod ends provide an effective and reliable solution for protecting spherical plain bearings from external contaminants such as dust, dirt, and moisture. Designed to extend the service life of rod ends and maintain their performance over time, these seals are widely used in many mechanical applications, well beyond their original motorsports background.

Effective protection with full freedom of movement

RELS.. side seals can be installed on rod ends of different designs and materials. Their construction allows quick and simple installation without any modification to the rod end, while still permitting full rotation of the inner spherical ring.
Once installed, the seals form a protective barrier that significantly reduces the penetration by contaminants, helping to preserve the functional characteristics of the spherical joint.

Design and materials

Each seal consists of a calibrated stainless steel washer with a vulcanised Nitrile (NBR) rubber sealing lip. This combination provides an optimal balance of mechanical strength, elasticity, and sealing efficiency.

Nitrile (NBR) is a versatile elastomer offering good resistance to:

mineral, synthetic, vegetable, and silicone oils
aromatic hydrocarbons
mineral oil-based and water-glycol hydraulic fluids
many types of acids

The seals operate within a temperature range from –30 °C to +120 °C, with short-term peaks up to +150 °C, making them suitable for demanding and heavy-duty applications.

Application benefits

The use of RELS.. side seals offers several advantages:

effective protection against dirt and external contaminants
extended service life of rod ends
particularly suitable for maintenance-free rod ends with PTFE liners
easy visual inspection of the joint and simple seal replacement

These benefits contribute to reduced maintenance requirements, lower downtime, and improved overall system reliability.

Size range

RELS.. side seals are available for:

metric rod ends: from RELS 5 (Ø 5 mm) to RELS 30 (Ø 30 mm bore diameter)
inch rod ends: from RELS I1 to RELS I16 (1/16″ to 1″ bore diameter)

This range covers the majority of standard industrial and high-performance applications.

Availability

European distribution of RELS.. side seals is handled by Getecno Srl, international master distributor of motion transmission parts for industrial and high-performance applications.

For further technical information, product data sheets, or assistance in selecting the most suitable solution, please contact the Getecno team.