[MOTORHEAD]

Roland:
Again I assume you're refering to the forward attach point, since the rear attach point is bolt & bushing as opposed to a Heim joint.
The spacers you refer to are supposed to hold the ball (inner) part of the rod end solidly when the through bolt is tightened, the ball is not supposed to move. The outer portion of the rod end has a bearing surface, and it moves around the stationary ball. If the ball is not kept from moving, it does not cause looseness, but causes the ball to wear the bolt. However the ball does need to be restrained from sliding up and down the length of the bolt which is the function of the spacers.
There are no bearings between the spacers and the ball.
Hope this helps.
As for "JT" as he was known through high school, He and I were
best friends through grade and high school, and He was Best Man at my wedding back in '64. Ask him about the MG bumper/ ring incident !!!! Lost touch with him when he went to med school , but re-connected with him a couple of years ago, We're
planning on visiting friends & relatives in the northern Ind. area in
late Aug. We' have to get together!
Best of Luck,
Ted Radtke