Stripping the swivel from the back

Quick question for you all

I've got to replace the seal round the ball on my 1995 defender. So I think I'm going to remove the ball.

Is it possible to strip the housing from the ball end. Remove the pins top and bottom of the ball. And pull the CV out from the ball end providing the drive flange is removed?

I'd like to leave the wheel hub in tact and untouched you see without disturbing the new hub seal

Thanks all

so you are thinking of removing the whole assy? to change the seal
if that's what you mean then yes that's how I had to redo mine, after the new outer metal seal cover started to rust like hell after being on for a few weeks

just remove the bolts that hold the ball on to the axle and your good to go

Oh and paint the metal seal before you fit it

greyhair said:

so you are thinking of removing the whole assy? to change the seal
if that's what you mean then yes that's how I had to redo mine, after the new outer metal seal cover started to rust like hell after being on for a few weeks

just remove the bolts that hold the ball on to the axle and your good to go

Oh and paint the metal seal before you fit it

Click to expand...

Yes mate. I want to remove the ball and assy (hub included) to change the seal around the ball and retainer. Also check the top and bottom bearings clean the housing out and check the CV joint.

Just wondered if the stub axle could be left in place and pull the CV from the ball end

Yes.

If you were just going to pull and replace the seal I would be in complete agreement. However, if you're going into the assembly to muck about with the upper and lower bearings, tension setting and the CV do yourself a favor and just disassemble it.

Odds are your wheel bearings need adjusting/greasing in any case, and it's little more work in the long run. The complete assembly when off the car is heavy as hell and awkward to work with as there's nothing fastening it down. I've been into them both ways and I really do find stripping it on the car to be much easier.

Just playing devil's advocate... -Alan

I just drop whole assembly into a builders bucket,this holds it nicely while working on it.

U can't pull the cv through the flange on the back of the ball, the hole is too small, it will only come out through the front by removing stub axle

Thanks all. Some good tips there.

I plan to remove the whole assy by removing the ball from the axle. Then remove top and bottom pin and remove ball and inspect bearings.

The wheel bearings and hub seal are all brand new a few months ago.

I don't understand why you want to make it difficult for yourself. Removing the hub and stub axle is very easy and won't take long. Removing the whole lot from the axle in one lump will be awkward and heavy.

if i'm right about what you mean, then a fair few people cut the seal and slip it on.

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=7305

just saying btw if they are pitted then i wouldn't bother.

hughesy said:

I don't understand why you want to make it difficult for yourself. Removing the hub and stub axle is very easy and won't take long. Removing the whole lot from the axle in one lump will be awkward and heavy.

Click to expand...

It was only to save abit of time and reduce the time with stripping things down that didn't need doing.

I also didn't want to disturb the hub seal which was new a month ago!

If all your going to do is replace the swivel seal then yeah just take the whole assy of the axel as one but if your wanting to strip down swivel bearings and clean/inspect the CV then just pay the £1 for a hub seal.

Oh and if your taking the whole assy off then don't forget the caliper; no it wasn't me by the way heh

making a meal of a non issue, pull it apart and fix it

Just take the whole thing apart. Lifting the whole she-bang out of the diff (and fitting it back) is awkward and very heavy.