That's the Heel Connecting Rod. It's called the same thing on the Swivo bass pedals. There were two basic types. The earlier version was fixed/hinged into the base of the high hat. The later version you describe was a simple straight rod locked into the heel with a set screw, and it attached to the base of the HH by dropping into a slot. My swan-leg HH was missing this rod when I acquired it. I bought a length of fully threaded (1/4" diameter) rod at Lowes, epoxied a nut at one end to fall into the base slot of the HH, and inserted the other end into the heel plate (grinding a little notch into the heel end of the rod ensured the set screw would hold).

This might solve your problem until you can find the real connecting rod. If you do get an original rod, try grinding a tiny notch into it for the set screw as I described, and maybe it won't slip out again.

Mike

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Thanks Mchair! I just found it hiding in my car! Mine is the earlier version. There is a screw hole but no screw. Do you know what the screw size/threading is? Thanks!