quote:Originally posted by David_Nunn:
... I'm surprised that Ron Siple didn't insist you use teflon lined rod ends because that's all he uses ...
The control arms were on 6018 when I purchased it. In other words, they've been on the car quite a while. I am sure they are the heim joints that were supplied with the control arms. Perhaps Ron has not always used teflon lined heim joints ... perhaps they weren't even available when these control arms were purchased.
quote:Originally posted by Bosswrench:
... If you use rod ends/heim joints anywhere in your suspension, I suggest you add rod-end seals ... should increase the operating life of your fully exposed rod-ends on the street.
I don't know how many miles the previous owner put on the heim joints, but I've put about 20,000 miles on them, and they are still truckin' just fine. It has been my experience that aspersions cast regarding the longevity of heim joints are unfounded. I don't expect them to last as long as rubber, but if they last 1/2 or 1/3 as long, then they are worth their trouble, because the improvement in handling precision is tremendous.
Thankfully the life of the suspension pivots in a Pantera is a little bit easier than the life of the suspension pivots of any open wheeled race car. They stay pretty clean, especially the upper pivots.
-G