Swivel ball joints

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CRS

Well-Known Member
Posts
428
Every landrover I’ve had these always leak oil, can you drain them and put some sort of grease in them instead.
Thanks
 
You can put grease in, it's what's in later models. However if the seal is bad grease will still leak out when it gets warm after driving a while.
Fit a quality seal [Cortico] and if swivel balls are not pitted you will be good for a long while.
 
You can put grease in, it's what's in later models. However if the seal is bad grease will still leak out when it gets warm after driving a while.
Fit a quality seal [Cortico] and if swivel balls are not pitted you will be good for a long while.

^^ this one. If it is leaking the solution it to fix the leak not hide the symptoms. if oil can get out water can get in. you can use "oneshot grease" which is what the later variants use but this is a semi fluid grease that thins out once warm so will still leak if the seal is not in good condition.
 
Have a good look at your swivel balls if they are pitted replace them with the newer teflon coated swivels as mentioned above that is what causes the seals to be damaged and leak. I had to replace mine due to pitting and "grease" leaking down the back of the wheels.
 
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The swivel balls look ok, but it’s the usual oil on the inside of the tyre , advisory on the mot as well.
 
i fitted the new teflon balls and seals but i read somewhere you can change the seal without dismantleing from behind by cutting new seal and putting joint at the top but leave the old seal spring in place
 
You can, but just don't. Quickest and best way is remove brake calliper [hang out the way, no need to remove flexi] Pop track/steering rod ends, undo the bolts holding the swivel housing to axle [ worst part of the job depending on bolt condition] [ plenty of release fluid in days before] Pull the whole unit out with out disturbing the hub. Bit of a heavy job but a mate or trolly jack if on your own.
 
One mistake some make when rebuilding a swivel housing is to split the shims evenly between top and bottom pins, this can result in leaks due to not enough pressure at the bottom of the seal. Whatever shim is at the bottom pin when you undo put back as you find. The swivel pre load is adjusted at the top pin.
 
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