No more pre load shims left

bluedisco300 · Feb 9, 2015

I've finally bought a spring balance scale to try and get rid of the death shake from the passenger side over rough ground. After disconnecting the ball joints I found it only needed around 5 to 8 LB pull, but also noticed the pull is quite notchy. Should it be a nice smooth linear pull or am I looking at a notchy CV joint or rough swivel ball etc etc. This is the first time I've ever had to deal with this type of steering (used to modern rack/pinion maintaince free stuff). There were 2 shims in there and had to remove both to get up to around 15 LB pull. Theres now just a hint of shudder over bumps/lumps etc but as I now have no more shims am I right in thinking it/ll soon be time for a swivel replacement. I haven't checked the driver side yet !!

jamesmartin · Feb 9, 2015

bluedisco300 said:
I've finally bought a spring balance scale to try and get rid of the death shake from the passenger side over rough ground. After disconnecting the ball joints I found it only needed around 5 to 8 LB pull, but also noticed the pull is quite notchy. Should it be a nice smooth linear pull or am I looking at a notchy CV joint or rough swivel ball etc etc. This is the first time I've ever had to deal with this type of steering (used to modern rack/pinion maintaince free stuff). There were 2 shims in there and had to remove both to get up to around 15 LB pull. Theres now just a hint of shudder over bumps/lumps etc but as I now have no more shims am I right in thinking it/ll soon be time for a swivel replacement. I haven't checked the driver side yet !!

disco use a bearing top and bottom 3lb pull is plenty, add a couple lbs for the seal,

Mr Noisy · Feb 9, 2015

I tend to give myself plenty of preload as it really helps with death wobble with low offset wheels fitted

I give myself as much as I can whilst keeping the bearings smooth, it's somewhere in the mid teens with seals fitted

Feels firm not loose or easy like most worn in swivels

However if notchy then chances are you have a bad bearing

If you've got this far you probably,y will find changing them quite easy/enjoyable

bluedisco300 · Feb 9, 2015

Thanks. I think I'll be looking to do a full swivel replacement on the passenger side then. The Britpart kit on fleabay is around £100 so may get that, but I do here that some Britpart stuff is more ****part so if anyone can recommend britpart or any other makers I'd be grateful. Haynes manual seems to say its easy enough. I've been pulling apart and rebuilding old Fiesta XR2's for donkeys years and find the disco is on par with them technically and mechanically.

Mr Noisy · Feb 10, 2015

Do not fit these new type Teflon swivel balls if you go off-road, find a decent set of chromes

Teflon type shear off

Not good

Pikey · Feb 10, 2015

Mr Noisy said:
Do not fit these new type Teflon swivel balls if you go off-road, find a decent set of chromes

Teflon type shear off

Not good

Surely the teflon is just a baked on coating, In itself, it can't weaken the actual swivel.

Gotta be poor manufacturing of the actual swivel that or they are reconned units

flatline · Feb 10, 2015

Can you explain the term"pull" to me please,ive got a rebuikd kit minus the actual swivel so ull be doi g it soon enough

Mr Noisy · Feb 10, 2015

Pikey said:
Surely the teflon is just a baked on coating, In itself, it can't weaken the actual swivel.

Gotta be poor manufacturing of the actual swivel that or they are reconned units

Oh yeah it's the fact that the units are made in China to much lower standards

A mate of mine who is on here but may wish to remain nameless has just managed to extract a fairly substantial sum from Bearmach to pay him back for some very expensive recovery which a snapped ball cost him.

Bearmach did some tests and found that their supplier had pulled their pants down so the manned up and paid him out.

I've snapped a few balls as have many and it is becoming common knowledge to avoid them thank god.

But yes I use Teflon balls as a generalisation as since they stopped being made in chrome they are no longer recognisable for quality.

No more pre load shims left

bluedisco300

Member

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

Mr Noisy

Coming in your ears.

bluedisco300

Member

Mr Noisy

Coming in your ears.

Pikey

Dummy Ejection Facilitator..

flatline

Active Member

Mr Noisy

Coming in your ears.

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