Who uses rod ends,spherical bearings in there steering system?

Just wondering. On my ecotec Alfa Romeo spider  build, I am using qa1 3 peice Teflon rod ends, with full cover seals it's rubber boots.

I used them on my CP Camaro, Teflon lined but without any boot. While it wasn't a street car, never had any issues. Steering linkage was all u-joints with no rubber coupler, and never felt anything through the steering wheel, even on rough autox courses. 

ive always wanted to do this and never knew the "kosher" way of doing things.  

I plan to make custom control arms for my Tercel and was thinking of using an adjustable length GM style upper BJ as my lower Bj so I can restore the geometry and possible lower the car more.  Being still primarily a fun street car I dunno if going rod-end will work out long term for me

You should have a...I don't know the word. An oversize washer on the mounting bolts to "catch" the link if the rod end fails.

Keith Tanner said:

You should have a...I don't know the word. An oversize washer on the mounting bolts to "catch" the link if the rod end fails.

Safety retaining washer is what Pegasus calls them.

That would be a logical name :) Actually required by most sanctioning bodies, I believe.

It looks like you are using the correct type of rod end for tie rods (M series?), as long as they have enough range of motion for steering they should be good. QA1s have a wide range of quality from peice to piece, so you may need to buy extras and match pairs together for how much effort it takes to move the spherical as the tightness of these will directly affect wear.

FK Rods and Aurora bearing have much tighter tolerances and better wear

In reply to Keith Tanner :I have safety washers,

I am running full rubber cover from seals it's,for longer life

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L.p. still need some finishing work,and full rubber boots to protect the  qa1