Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Discovery => Topic started by: Lostboy on March 16, 2006, 10:02:37

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: Lostboy on March 16, 2006, 10:02:37

I'm in the process of rebuilding the hub swivels on my 11 year old Disco, because the bearings have worn out. I've no problems with the swivel ball being pitted or corroded or any leaks (I've got the one shot grease in there)

I'm considering the Bailcast gaitors, now would be an ideal time to fit them, but...

Given the vehicle occasionally wades about in muddy ponds, I'm concerned that water that gets into the gaitors will be trapped, accelerating corrosion problems and gaitors might hide a problem with the grease leaking, disguising what could be a nasty issue.

What your thoughts guys and girls?

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: muddyweb on March 16, 2006, 10:23:44

You've summed up my thoughts...  I wouldn't fit them...

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: thermidorthelobster on March 16, 2006, 10:36:04

I'm with you & Tim on this.

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: Henry Webster on March 16, 2006, 10:50:35

No don't do it!

H

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: Wanderer on March 16, 2006, 13:10:43

No no no and no.....

Definately not. They will keep the crud in there. They might help if you never went in any mud (they'd stop stones etc hitting the swivel ball and chipping it) but in mud or water they'd trap crud.

Ed

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: Lostboy on March 17, 2006, 09:39:46

Ah, thats nice, a unanimous verdict then! And another £50 saved.  :)

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: Range Rover Blues on March 18, 2006, 15:52:36

I bought a set of the leather ones but they don't fit :roll: the holes are punched for the Railko bearing swivels.

Anyway, having to drive in an area that uses a lot of salt on the roads I wanted to protect mine from chipping as I've bought new swivels this year, I intended to fit them loose so as to allow the mud to drain but still protect from gravel rash.  Now it's just another job low on the list of priorities.

BTW, if gaitors are so bad, how come the army fit them?

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: Damonski on March 18, 2006, 21:17:00

Quote from: "Range Rover Blues"

BTW, if gaitors are so bad, how come the army fit them?

To stop any light reflecting from shiney parts :)

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: Jim-Willy on March 18, 2006, 21:19:58

Quote from: "Range Rover Blues"

I bought a set of the leather ones but they don't fit :roll: the holes are punched for the Railko bearing swivels.

Anyway, having to drive in an area that uses a lot of salt on the roads I wanted to protect mine from chipping as I've bought new swivels this year, I intended to fit them loose so as to allow the mud to drain but still protect from gravel rash.  Now it's just another job low on the list of priorities.

BTW, if gaitors are so bad, how come the army fit them?

I was told the army stopped fitting them due to the problems with them leaking.  I have the rubber ones but they are torn already and won't be replaced.

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: Henry Webster on March 19, 2006, 12:13:36

Quote from: "Range Rover Blues"

BTW, if gaitors are so bad, how come the army fit them?

I wasn't aware that they did, but the army are certainly not the ultimate authority when it comes of off roading! :wink:

As for gravel rash - my rally car spends alot of its time on high speed gravel with few consequnces to the swivels.  I think that damp and mud ingress are much worse.

The best thing to do is to make sure that they are nice and clean after off roading and that the seal hasn't picked up too much grit.  Not one of my favourite jobs when the car is dripping mud! :(

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: Xtremeteam on March 19, 2006, 12:30:21

& the army arent the best at offroad driving either   :wink:

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: Henry Webster on March 19, 2006, 12:54:49

Quote from: "RedlineMike"

& the army arent the best at offroad driving either   :wink:

Mudmaster is a good example of that...

Title: Should I fit gaitors?
Post by: PUX on March 19, 2006, 13:02:39

cus they dont fit em thats in the past  :wink: