a gas turbine engine air valve assembly has first and second valving elements . the second element is rotatable about a first axis relative to the first element . the rotation controls a flow of air through the first and second elements . an actuator is coupled by a linkage to the second element . the linkage includes a spindle having a first portion coupled to the actuator to rotate the spindle about a second axis . a guided spherical bearing couples a second portion of the spindle to the second element .