I think it's more of what it can take before it stretches/deforms rather than failure. I've had lot's of them become loose, and that is extreeemely annoying. I don't believe my steering linkage or other items I've used rod ends on have ever seen anywhere near their rated loads, but they still become loose very quickly. Without rubber to cushon them, they really wear fast. The 3-piece moly end @ ~$35 ea are the only ones to get imo. These are all you will see on race vehicles.