Swivel ball

Sorry if this has been covered 10000000000 times. But i couldn't find a post relating to my query. My swivel bearings are knackered as my wheel moves loads (oooops), but my swivel ball is looking in good condition still.
So could it just be a case of replacing the bearing and pins? Dont want to buy the whole lot if i dont have to!
Should i remove the lot and see what the ball looks like?

Thanks, Reis

They might just need a couple of shims removing to compensate for wear...
Have you checked it's not the wheel bearing?

Thanks, shims removing where? Ive not taken one apart yet so dont know my way round them very well. No its not, i first noticed an oil leak from the swivel ball. And rocked the wheel and you can see the play is there.

As long as the swivel ball is very smooth, no pitting chips or scores in it then it should be fine to keep. Just get new bearings shims and seals. Prob as well replacing your front wheel bearings while your in there. Then you can re grease everything and you know they will be good for a while. No point doing half a job as its not a great deal of money and you need to strip it all down to do the swivel properly anyway.

Cheers mark

Ok thanks chaps ! Good idea about the wheel bearings!

I assume i'll need swivel pins too? Just want to get my shopping list so i can get it before i go to the parts place tomorrow.

Don't normally need to replace the pins unless there is visible damage as it is a non wearing part.

One swivel pin comes as replacement part in rebuild kits but can't remember which one, I think it's bottom!!

You can leave swivel ball bolted to axle and strip everything off it, then knock outer races out with socket and extension bar fitted through hole of other race, easy to tap new ones in also.

Basically you need a rebuild kit without the ball!

Mr Noisy said:

One swivel pin comes as replacement part in rebuild kits but can't remember which one, I think it's bottom!!

You can leave swivel ball bolted to axle and strip everything off it, then knock outer races out with socket and extension bar fitted through hole of other race, easy to tap new ones in also.

Basically you need a rebuild kit without the ball!

Click to expand...

Its the top one. I seem to remember James saying the bottom ones don't wear.. My bottom one didn't need replacing when I did the ball..

neither of my pins had worn either and they were most likely the original pins/balls

Ok thanks, I've not got pins with my refurb kit :S... Just stripped it down and they look fine anyway.... Next question.
Took the ball off, here's it's condition;



I'm thinking this damage doesn't matter that much as this should be a none contact part when reassembled, the area where it's marked anyway.... Am I right or wrong??

Another mark here;



Marks like this on both sides. It's not really clear in the picture but from looking at it you can see the seal doesn't go as far as these marks, if you see what I mean... So they should'nt cause a leak. But I'm not sure. What do you guys think?


Second question; I heard a clicking noise when on full lock off roading the other day, I think it was from this side (would make sense I guess), so should I be looking at replacing the cv joint too?

Thanks

Clicking definitely sounds like the cv joint. Definitely best replacing while your In there.

As long as the seal doesn't catch the ball should be fine. If any of the dent feels sharp it might be worth smoothing them off With a file. Other than that just wet and dry any stone chips etc. that way they won't damage your new seals.

Ta, got a new cv for it and reassembled. Much better now !