Swivel Ball rebuild

Just as I finish one thing, another thing needs doing.!!!!

Front prop needs new UJs.... Again!!!

Biggest issues is the swivel hubs. Both balls are severely pitted and leaking. I've noticed there's also a bit of play, so it really needs rebuilding. Now I have 2 seal/bearing rebuild kits, without the balls. Does anyone have any good condition swivel balls for sale, alternatively, suggest a cost effective option.

Lastly.... how the hell do you do this job.... what's actually involved, it sounds a big job.woukd it be worth fitting new wheel bearings at the same time.

Any how to guide would be great. A quick search on google found something on Land Rover addict forum, unfortunately it won't load.

Thanks all

Hi Landyfox there is a really good guide on Youtube.



Cheers

I need new balls, they've been pitted and leaking for the past 30,000 miles.
l've refilled them twice with one shot grease.
I don't fancy doing the job as it was hell just replacing the rear brake discs. My local indy doesn't seem to want to do it either.
"But grease is leaking out"
"They all leak"
"This one (pointing to one on their forecourt) isn't leaking like mine"
"There's no new grease in the swivels on that one like there is on yours"

Neilly - fantastic, that video is perfect

There is also a channel on YouTube called land Rover toolbox videos. He's got 4 or 5 videos on rebuilding the swivel housings. They are awesome as they tell you all the bolt torque settings and how to set up the pre-load on the bearings properly. Be worth changing the wheel bearings at the same time as you will have to remove them to do the swivel anyway and they really aren't that expensive.

@200tdiRob

Is correct, LRTBV do cover a whole range of vids, I use them if I plan on doing any work.

Here is the link to the first one for the swivels.



Cheers

Used the Vids when I rebuilt my axles. Explains the process perfectly. Takes the guess work out of what bits you are going to need. Always my trick to order one less bit that I actually need.

i used the britpart teflon coated ball kit , but used timtin bearings instead of the supplied ones ,,

all fitted with no problems and that was 3 years ago now,, still leak free .

highly recomended , i wouldnt listen to much about the ****part hipe ,,

It's not a difficult job by any means. Watch the videos as others have told you. Watch them a few times so as to get really familiar with them. Better still, if you can watch them while doing the job, it'll be doddle. I have done it countless times. The LR4x4 forum had a few brilliant walkthroughs which helped me no end when I first did the job some 10 years ago (youtube was still in its infancy back then). A few pointers:

1. Find a comfy short stool to sit on as you'll be spending a few hours doing the job.
2. USE THE CORRECT TOOLS. I.e. 6-sided sockets where needed and 12-sided sockets where needed. Brake calipers and brake discs (disc to hub) require 12-sided sockets (13 and 14mm).
3. Soak the swivel ball to axle retaining bolts in penetrating oil for a few days before doing the job and pray. So far I have always been lucky and all bolts came undone but where I come from, our roads are salt free so we don't suffer from rusted bolts as much as you do.
4. Be methodical. Lay everything out on a clean sheet of cardboard and mark everything up.
5. While you're at it, cut a slot in the bracket that on top of the top swivel pin that holds the brake pipe. That way you'll save yourself some time and a few choice curse words in future if you ever need to remove the brake caliper.
6. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Have a handy tub of paraffin / petrol / degreaser next to you and clean every part until it shines. Re-pack all bearings with fresh grease.
7. Enjoy it. It's not a difficult job to do and you'll save yourself a packet. If you get an early start, you should be done by mid afternoon.

Yes +1 for Land rover toolbox videos just done all my swivels watched the videos and double checked torque settings with the workshop manual.

replace swivel bearings with quality branded as you won't want to replace those after all the other work.

Mine took a weekend with out really rushing (cleaned all parts and repacking with grease etc) I didn't change my wheel bearings but did give them a once over to check if they need doing you may as well do it the same time.

Thanks guys... I'm doing this on Monday so will report back

Agree with the above
LRTV video is great, step by step guide
oh and spray the metal outer seal cover, as it goes rusty in days