I'm thinking about Spohn TA and my question is about the front mount option.

1) Poly rubber bushing

2)Spherical rod end

They say #2 is better, but wanted hear from you guys on the board.
Which do have?

 

I've got the one with the spherical rod mount. I like it.

 

I have the spherical rod too. Too much noise inside the car but I can live with it.

 

TTT please. I' worried i will not like the extra noise of the spherical rod. If it like the noise of the Spohn TA i have now i will not want it.

 

Sounds like you already have the answer. It's quite noisy. Persoanly, I wouldn't even consider the rod-end.

Rich Krause

 

Rod ends are more suited to competition. They allow the suspension to function to its optimum. The trade off is that they need to be replaced periodically and they transmit noise. Poly bushings are quieter but the trade off is that they introduce a degree of bind into the operation of the suspension. For a daily driver, bushings are the better option. If you order poly, be sure to order a tube of silicone grease from Spohn.

 

Just this week I upgraded my poly end to the rod end. I never liked the bind I experience, so I decided to put up with the extra noise and vibration.

Guess what? After installing the rod end there is only a MINIMAL increase in noise and vibration. There is however much LESS clunking between shifts, at clutch take up and while backing up. Also I no longer have to endure the squeaking from that poly bushing (yes, I religously lubed the hell out of it).

Go with the rod end. *shrug* I know it sounds counterintuitive but at least for me the rod end is quieter. Perhaps this is because I am no longer getting bind in that front mount. We'll see what the wife has to say when she rides in it. I'll also see what happens as the rod end gets miles on it and starts to wear.

 

I'm glad that you are happy with it. Most people don't like it. Besides, how could you tell it was "binding"? I know my butt-o-meter (calibrated by a lot of driving over nearly 40y including roadracing cars and motorcycles) can't detect it.

Rich Krause

 

I could tell it was binding if I jumped on the throttle hard over an uneven surface. The front mount would bind until the surface leveled and then the pivot would slam to the limit of its travel. Scared the hell out of me the first time it happened. The bushing always had plenty of grease. I also tried loosening the mount bolt thinking maybe it was too tight. No change.

As I said this only happened on uneven surfaces, say if I floored it coming out of a low speed off camber back road corner, or if I was pulling out onto a main road from a side road that was lower or off camber compared to the main one.

You are correct in that it is not noticeable in most situations, but judging from my experience it is obviously there.

 

I think I see what you mean. Not sure if it's significant though.

Rich Krause

 

Probably not. I did drive around like that for a year or so. I didn't want the additional noise of the rod end but I finally got tired of the binding. Maybe I was more tired of thinking about it, but it was there.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised when the rod end turned out to be no where near as harsh as I thought. It was not hard to swap. I guess you could start with whichever one you wanted and go from there. I just wish I had known then what I know now.

Off topic but FWIW the spherical bearings in my LCAs are hardly noticeable as well. Oh and the roads suck in PA just like they do here in AR.