IMO, spherical bearings(the real name of "pillow balls") in the upper plate are overkill on cars without struts (like a mkiv) since the shock doesn't locate the suspension, and affect suspension geometry if it moves around a little. They tend to loosen up over time and make noise, so I'd avoid them. My car spends a lot of time on a racetrack, and I don't have them. My Intrax came with a plate, but it uses rubber rather than a spherical bearing.