Serviceable Swivel?

Afternoon All,

I'm in the process of stripping the front axle down as a bit of a Christmas project now I've got a few weeks off work.

Being pretty new to Landrovers, just wondering if more experienced forum members can advise if the swivel I removed today is serviceable, or should I just get new?

There was very little lubrication left in the housings and they had leather gaiters fitted, but were full of sandy silt and small stones.

To me it doesn't look too bad, although there are some very small pits in places.

Thanks for any advice.

1973 S3 88 inch.

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They don't look too bad but it's hard to say from a photo. If there is any rust and pitting at all where the round seal touches the swivel as it moves it will leak a bit. This will be worse if they are filled with oil and a bit better if filled with one shot grease. Also if there is rust it will rag new seals faster. You might be able to see where the seal touched as it will have left traces of wear. If there's any doubt i'd replace them. Watch out if you do replace them as I had to return 3 sets of Britpart ones before I got an acceptable set.

Looks just fine to me as the area the seal runs on looks good. Lower bearing race looks poor so renew. Replace the top bush and pin and set the preload good to go

Looks good, make sure there are no sharp edges where the seal runs, some people have had succes filling any small pits with plastic metal and smoothing to match the surface.

Thanks for the help everyone, will give the existing ones a whirl and save a few quid!

The only hard bit is getting the sand back in the leather gaiters.

Mine ain’t got the leather. But I have heard good things about having them. Britpart do a rubber one but it’s a britpart so may fall to bits whilst taking it out of the box.

Bobsticle said:

The only hard bit is getting the sand back in the leather gaiters.

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Hahahaha - I've got a special little funnel that'll be perfect for getting it all back in!

In two minds as whether to actually refit gaiters, given the amount of muck that was in them.

It must have been oily muck for the balls to be in that good a nick after all these years

RP72 said:

Hahahaha - I've got a special little funnel that'll be perfect for getting it all back in!

In two minds as whether to actually refit gaiters, given the amount of muck that was in them.

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It’s probably the reason they are in such good nick.

Re fit the gaiters, they really help, but there are little drain holes in the bottom, sounds like they were blocked (or upside down?)

Seems the general consensus is to fit gaiters then.
I will get a new set ordered. Thanks all.

Look ok....maybe better than some new ones...as somebody else said....lookout for rough bits on the chrome that could nick the wiper seal...if you find and just smooth off with a very light file.

As above - they look Ok from the angle presented - But, the thing is that the seal doesn't move much top and bottom - so we'd need pictures of the swivels from the front and the rear - given that this is where the bulk of the movement takes place......

nickjaxe said:

Look ok....maybe better than some new ones...as somebody else said....lookout for rough bits on the chrome that could nick the wiper seal...if you find and just smooth off with a very light file.

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Disco1BFG said:

As above - they look Ok from the angle presented - But, the thing is that the seal doesn't move much top and bottom - so we'd need pictures of the swivels from the front and the rear - given that this is where the bulk of the movement takes place......

Click to expand...

Just spent an hour or so fettling the few pits with a fine diamond file and then with progressively finer micromesh. Cant see there being anything to damage the wiper seal.

If you have FWHs fitted lock them once a month for a few miles the get splashed with oil then...a few lock to lock turns as well.