I always hear about it making alot of noise, not lasting long, etc etc but I would like a first hand account. People also say that poly trans and motor mounts are bad, and I know someone with poly and another with solid mounts and they're cars are smooth as can be.. just shows how much is lost in the "what i've heard" and what it's actually like. I'm considering a spherical rod end/poly combo, or possibly a full spherical rod end setup.

 

I had a full rod end panhard and LCAs. Part of the problem of clunking is that the bar or lca rotates and rattles against the bolt spacers. I put some poly bushings on the body side which kept the bar from rotating. Still when worn, it'll sound like a loose tool box in the back. I bought my panhard 4 years ago and I put a new rod end in Jan and so far no noise yet.

 

Did it take them that 4 years to wear out or did you just get around to replacing them?

 

I could have replaced them earlier, but the noise didn't really bother me. The more they wear, the looser and louder they get. Keeping them well lubed will make them last alot longer.

 

If you are willing to put some time into it you can make your own that will be very high quality. Check these links out:
- http://www.jonaadland.com/Z28/Mods/L...minumLCAs.html
- http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ejonaa/AluminumPHB.html

 

How do you lube rod ends? Just use grease on them, like get under the car and smear grease on the rod ends?

 

They will actually have grease zerks if they are greasable I believe. You just do it like you do the front suspension parts.

Ben

 

Standard rod ends can't really be lubed. The better ones use a teflon inner liner that keeps them in good working condition. The downside is that once the teflon wears out, the rod ends start loosening up.

There are also greasable rod ends that have zerk fittings. These seem to be the preferred style.

For the street a poly/rod end combo works well. I've got at least two years on my Spohn rod ends and they're still holding up. I have a set of greasable ends waiting to go on the car.

With either style of rod end it is a good idea to install rod end seals. This keeps them clean and increases their life span.

 

I have a 1st design spohn tq arm with rod end on the front that connects on the new crossmember. It has greaseable fitting on it that lubes up shaft. (1st design had slider, 2nd design is solider type I beleive) Anyways I just put a little grease on the eye of it so it has a little to lube up for movement which it shouldn't since it has spacers on each side. Only time you can hear it is on upshifts or downshifts with heavy throttle. And even then it's just a loud clank kind of sounds when the OEM trannie mounts breaks. Not really even that noticeable once you get use to hearing the noise.

 

Does anyone know if the spohn parts have the zerk fittings now? Also, where can I get rod end seals, and do spohn parts come with these? Thanks.

 

Spohn now uses rod ends with zerk fittings. He doesn't offer the seals that I know of.

Here's a link to give you some info. on the seals:
http://www.sealsit.com/rodend.asp

I purchased mine here:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/nsearc...s=rod+end+seal

 

I know when I need a new rod end for my tq arm I just get it from spohn... I think there like 20 bucks. + I have full faith in his products and the things made by other companies he sells.

 

I have the ends with the grease fittings. I've read of people using powdered graphite with success.

Bret - any pics of the seals installed? I may have to get some.

 

I don't any have pics from my car, but if you check out the Seals-It web site you can see how the seals go on. http://www.sealsit.com/rodend.asp

They just cover the sides of the rod end to keep the grease in and dirt out. The bolts then keep them in place. I picked some up for my Baer bump steer kit and for my Spohn LCA's and panhard bar.