Leaking Swivel Pins!!

Jason2 · Jan 6, 2007

Just done a full oil change on a 95 300tdi and found that there was not much oil in the swivel pins!! I now know why as it's leaking out fine style, had a long journey to do so I drained oil out and refilled with one shot grease but it seems to be chucking that out too.
There is slight play in the front wheels which I originally thought was the bearings which needed tightening up or is it worse than that????
Is it normal for a small amount of grease/oil to come out?????
Any advice much appreciated.

Jason

Ps:HAPPY NEW YEAR

James · Jan 6, 2007

the one shot grease is thicker so should not come out, if it is leaking then you need to sort it. at worse it will run dry and your cv may explode like mind did or the barings may sease!

JimAttrill · Jan 6, 2007

Chances are it's your swivel pins themselves. You will have to remove a couple of the shims under the pins. This problem normally shows itself in steering shake and has to be done quite often. Eventually there are no shims left to take out and you have to change the swivel bearings and put the shims back in again, so don't lose them when you take them out.

Jason2 · Jan 6, 2007

The swivel balls are not pitied or rusty and personally reckon that they have never been adjusted for a long time.The old girl has 117k and to the best of my knowledge has never done any off roading (yet)!
She drives well with no shudder and would'nt know that there was a problem unless you stuck your head underneath.
So what's the game plan?Living in the middle of "no where" once I strip both sides down I want to do this right, so would I be right in saying that new wheel bearings,swivel bearings & seal should do the trick!

ormus · Jan 6, 2007

you will need the manual for it. the correct pre load setting on the swivels is fairly essential.

JimAttrill · Jan 6, 2007

Well, yes and no. I just adjust mine until they 'feel' right, ie not sloppy and not too tight. Unfortunately the manual wants you to remove the swivel seals which is a pita. (and use a fishing gauge to measure the pull, which I don't have). One thing you do know, is that you have to remove a shim or two. When you run out of shims, it is time to change the bearings (and put all the old shims back in, so keep them).

ormus · Jan 6, 2007

yes but his seals are leaking. if youre changing em, you may as well set the pre load right, for once.

James · Jan 6, 2007

if you want to do it right then change the lot, make sure you get all the seals because if you get the ball kit you dont get all the seals, ie the axle housing seal, no point in taking it all off and leaving one £1 old seal there waiting to give you grief in 6 months time.

while you are there you could change the barings but then again if you need to change your brake discs soon then there is a nother job too as the bearing are mounted there....

shall I continue.

Just make sure you do it right first time, less grief in the long run.

JimAttrill · Jan 7, 2007

You can do the swivel seals without disturbing the bearings or the swivel pins. Either remove the caliper or disconnect the brake pipe. Then undo the bolts that hold the axle together (6 of them). Then slide the whole shebang outboard, hub, half shaft, swivel housing, disk and caliper. It helps to get a jack underneath as is is very heavy. Then you can easily change the swivel seal after undoing the bolts holding the swivel seal plate on.

Repacement is the reverse of etc.

Jason2 · Jan 7, 2007

Well after this "TOP TIP" of jacking front wheel up feeling play holding the wheel at the 9 & 3 position and then getting an assistant to stand on the brake it turns out that the play is in the wheel bearings as no movement is noticed with the foot break on!!

Under further inspection it turns out that the swivel cups are badly pitied in one area only at the front in the middle of the ball on both sides of the vehicle which would explain the knackered seal/grease loss!!!

Does this mean a full swivel ball change with all the bag a mashings or can it be left as it is as long as the oil level is checked regularly??????-Which brings me on to my next question!

How the hell do you check the oil level once you have filled it with one shot grease?????

JimAttrill · Jan 7, 2007

Yes, so long as you check the oil level occasionally all will be ok. With grease it is more difficult as you can't check the level. Just add some grease occasionally.

and to answer your question, no you cannot check the level with grease in there. This is one reason for not using grease. The other is that you cannot check if you have water contamination. I am still using EP90 for both of these reasons.

Jason2 · Jan 8, 2007

Thanks for that Jim!

I will wait until the weather warms up here ,go on a long run & then try and flush all the grease out and refil with oil.
Dont fancy taking all that lot in bits just for a (another) few oil leaks,I will try and keep an eye on it and if it gets realy bad will do it!

Leaking Swivel Pins!!

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