How many of you use spherical rod ends on the street?
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From: Midwest City, Oklahoma
Car: '87 Z
Engine: 355 in the works
Transmission: 700R4
How many of you use spherical rod ends on the street?
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.
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From: Another world, some other time
Car: 86 LG4 & 92 TBI Firebird
Engine: The Mighty 305!
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
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.
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 4
From: Another world, some other time
Car: 86 LG4 & 92 TBI Firebird
Engine: The Mighty 305!
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
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.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,136
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From: Costal Alabama
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z
Engine: 350, ZZ4 equivalent
Transmission: Pro-Built Road Race 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Dana 44
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
- http://www.jonaadland.com/Z28/Mods/L...minumLCAs.html
- http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ejonaa/AluminumPHB.html
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From: Woodland Hills, CA USA
Car: Yes...
Engine: Last time I checked...
Transmission: See "Engine"...
Originally posted by Hg
How do you lube rod ends? Just use grease on them, like get under the car and smear grease on the rod ends?
How do you lube rod ends? Just use grease on them, like get under the car and smear grease on the rod ends?
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.
Last edited by BretD 88GTA; Jul 24, 2003 at 01:02 AM.
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From: New Boston, IL, USA
Car: '90 Formula 350
Engine: 383 SBC
Transmission: ProBuilt S/S 700-R4 & ACT 9" Stall
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.23
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.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,712
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From: Midwest City, Oklahoma
Car: '87 Z
Engine: 355 in the works
Transmission: 700R4
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.
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From: Woodland Hills, CA USA
Car: Yes...
Engine: Last time I checked...
Transmission: See "Engine"...
Originally posted by Hg
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.
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.
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
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From: New Boston, IL, USA
Car: '90 Formula 350
Engine: 383 SBC
Transmission: ProBuilt S/S 700-R4 & ACT 9" Stall
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.23
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.
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 4
From: Another world, some other time
Car: 86 LG4 & 92 TBI Firebird
Engine: The Mighty 305!
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
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.
Bret - any pics of the seals installed? I may have to get some.
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From: Woodland Hills, CA USA
Car: Yes...
Engine: Last time I checked...
Transmission: See "Engine"...
Originally posted by Justins86bird
Bret - any pics of the seals installed? I may have to get some.
Bret - any pics of the seals installed? I may have to get some.
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.
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