Rebuilding a swivel

[Bob696]

How hard is it?

[Range Rover Blues]

Not hard, a little time-consuming and very messy.

[Budgie]

I did mine in the middle of the campsite at Billing one year so can't be that hard!!  :D

[simonred90]

easy. it wont go together wrong. do it properly with new seals etc and use EP80 rather than one shot grease and it will be a clean job.

[Leslie Henson]

it wont go together wrong

If you are removing the chrome ball to replace it, then be aware that they only fit one way up, and if you have the early type swivel with the railko-type bush in the top, then you could mistakenly fit it on the the bottom of the chrome ball by mistake. It's worth rebuilding thewhole assembly when you have anything more general that adjussting the pre-load to do. Wheel bearings can be checked, and re-packed with fresh grease though. All other seals top and bottom swivel bearings (whichever type you have), gaskets too, and you may need to buy new shims to set the correct pre-load (the pre-load is very important to the safe handling of the vehicle). Use whatever lubricant is recommended for your hub assembly. Using swivel grease on a railko bush will mean it doesn't get lubricated properly. Your choice of course, but a right pain if you have to take it all apart again.


Les.

[Budgie]

Yep, I'd go along with that Les, EP90 with railko bushes!!

Makes it very interesting trying to drive a 90 with a railko bush gone and the bottom bearing collaped!!  :shock:

[Bob696]

Thanks guys. Got it sorted. Turns out the problem was a combination of 2 faults. Half shaft is worn so bearing was not seated right. Now sorted. There is also a little play in the drop arm (or summat) that needs sorting before the MOT in May.

It will teach me to not always assume the worst.

[extreme90]

we all learn by our mistakes, we all guilty off it  :lol: