Quella's kit always used a spherical rod end for the trunion and then modified the standard shift rod by cutting the splines off the ends and welding them onto a stainless tubing that was polished in the vicinity where it slid in the supporting rod end.
A little dry lube once or twice per year was all it took to maintain it. If the hole in the rod end was bushed with a thin bronze or oilite bushing you'd never have to touch it and it would give you more freedom in selecting the rod end and tube.
Never had a problem with mine in 15 years and the motion is very precise.
Best,
Kelly
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