How it's Made: Hot Rods' Connecting Rod Manufacturing

In depth behind the scenes look at Hot Rods' U.S. manufacturing process for their dirt bike, ATV, snowmobile, and personal watercraft connecting rods.

[jamesnj]

We beat the snot out of these rods and cracks when racing Yamah 701 2stroke watercraft. Never saw a rod or crank failure. It was always a bearing issue, usually from a lean condition. I've seen rods punch through the cases, always an impressive sight.

[whiplashmachine]

I worked at Federal Mogul for a short period making connection rods. I did not stick around as I was told it was a machinst positon and it ended up being, well, not a machinist position. Neat experience though.

[manga]

made in the usa, with better control over ones product, and making middle class jobs, maybe but a drop in the bucket but its nice to see somethings come back, and a nice change to seeing all the videos of giant hammers in china taiwan germany or england, mind you I dont have a problem with other places but we need jobs too, and so few forging facilities are here anymore its just nice to know we can still get tools made here, or strong parts that help keep a strong ecconomy.

[roncoburn]

Used them in my jet skis very well made rod

[bryceanderson]

thanks heaps I was just about to purchase one of these cranks for a KTM.

[christopherneufelt]

They put the Quality back to USA. Nice work guys!

[llaw]

Take a shot every time they say heat treated haha great product 👍

[Crazycarl]

i put a hotrods rod in my yamaha in 06 and ran the piss out of it, the oil pump went out and ruined the bearing, but it seen a lot of over rev for 11 years lol never had a problem...

[QuinxQeish]

How to check rod connecting strain's after heat treatment ?

[brandoncook]

I'm sure the rod is good but I wanted to know more about the crankshaft as I am about to have my 2006 yz250's bottom end rebuilt. I race motocross B class and need to know the durability of your cranks. Do you have a warranty ? How many hours should I get out of your cranks, 1 or 100 ? Thanks

[robertwest]

The big end doesn't need to be split?

[beau]

Bearings are most important and made in asia, use a koyo bearing i'd consider it .

[moosestangls]

Do you make a stroker crank for a 2012 250x honda

[prasaddesai]

Why they do not checked the cracks after heat treatment?

[toms]

Many of us stopped using HR's in our quads because of all the failures. Carrillo or bust.

[hellohun]

Real nice operation. I guess we can still make precision engine components for the aftermarket in the US.

[ronanrogers]

Just buy a forged Carrillo rod and get a precision engineer to grind the crankpins and press the crankshaft back together. There’s lots of competent engineers and you’ll get a crankshaft that will outlast you.

[TonaldDrump]

The rod kits have been good to me.
On my 3rd at the moment. CR500
Always use OEM (koyo) main bearings.

[YeeThirty]

Too bad you dont offer a crank for the 77-79 rm80, 80-2000 DS80 or the JR80 :/ coulda made my build easy :(

[eb]

I used the cranks but stay away front their seals and bearings.