Hello.
I'm just refurbing my front axle at the moment. I've a rebuild thread over in the project vehicles forum.
I've got a few questions that I hope you can help me with.

First should the swivel seal (RTC3528) be a tight fit in the outer swivel housing? My old seal was tight but by the time I've got it out, cleaned the housing and offered the old one back up it looks like there's too much clearance. My new seals haven't arrived yet but i'm hoping I don't need new housings as well.

Second. Are the studs in the bottom of the outer swivel housing of two different types?

Third. I don't think there should be any adjusting shims at the bottom. Am I right?

Fourth. To increase or decrease resistance on the steering do you add or remove shims?

Last. Some of the 4 studs on the bottom of the swivel housing that hold the steering arm have come out when I undid the nut. The threads look good. Should these be renewed no matter what for safety or can they be reused as long as they are refitted with threadlock and torqued correctly?

Thanks for any input you can offer. Steve.

Somehow I've managed to duplicate this thread.

If anyone knows how to merge them or delete one i'd be grateful.

bottom studs should be the same
no shims at the bottom
add shims to slacken remove to tighten
if nuts ok reuse as with bolts , a little loctite doesnt hurt unless you use lock tab

Seal was probably fitted with gasket sealant and would have been further sealed in with corrosion and crud so it would have felt tight coming out. A bit of goo on the replacement seal is a good idea....

Hi.
Thanks for the replies, it helps so much.
When you are a novice these small questions can flummox you. Just lack of experience but I'm learning fast.
The new swivels and seal kit arrived yesterday but I haven't had chance to open the box yet.
I work late on Thursdays and any spare time I seem to have at the moment is going on building flood defences around the in laws back garden. Although if it keeps raining we might just give up and build an ark instead.