Swivel Hub Ball Joints

Hi All,

need to do the lower swivel hub ball joints on mine (MOT advisory but really a bit knackered - I've got a nice MOT'er). I'm scrubbing the front nearside tyre quite quickly, but figured I'd better do these before getting the alignment done. (was hoping to wait til summer to do the balls, but not sure the tyres will last!)

I've had a search through, and look in Rave, my concern is about the LR tool to get the height of the hub right. If I don't remove the collets in the hub, how crucial is this? If it is crucial, has anyone got the tool (or a version of it) they would be prepared to lend out (I saw another thread where Wammers had mentioned the price at £900 - don't think I can convince the other half on that one!!)

I figured while I've got it all apart, I may as well do both top and bottom ones. Is there anything else that's worth doing at the same time?

One final - does anyone know what size socket fits the ball joints - i want to try to get it done in one hit and I doubt I've got a socket that will fit in my normal set, but don't want to be trying to get a socket once it's all in pieces

Cheers
Marc

PS - any general tips for doing them gratefully received

Tool is for lining hub up central to oil seal. If you don't move the collets it should not be a mile out. Getting them out and back in without a special tool maybe a little difficult. I have been trying to get the dimensions of this tool for ages so i can knock one up but to no avail.

Cheers Wammers

Was what I meant in a clumsy way, height of the hub to get it aligned with oil seal .

I'm hoping its one of those jobs which won't be as bad as I think it will! presumably as the collets are threaded it would be fairly hard to move them by accident.

Just don't want to be having to take it all apart in a few months to replace the oil seal if I get it wrong

ta

Marc

Try this site, has full description plus pics, dont move the collets and should line up??

Ball joint Removal/replacementhotos

stopover said:

Try this site, has full description plus pics, dont move the collets and should line up??

Ball joint Removal/replacementhotos

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thanks for that - its a really useful walk through. Looks like I'll be needing something to press them out - I hadn't twigged that from Rave (obvious now I look at it!).

Do you think a few 'gentle' taps might work to remove and reseat the ball joints?

Oh for a heated workshop

I had an advisory on mine, not sure if i want to tackle this on my own.

sas1810 said:

I had an advisory on mine, not sure if i want to tackle this on my own.

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I'm hoping for someone to say 'they'll be fine til next summer, just get the wheel alignment done'

Sadly I don't think its gonna happen, I'll be out there next weekend in the peeing rain

Next thing is, LR originals @ £22 each, Britpart @ £6 or 'Lemforder' @ £12. Never heard of lemforder, but I get the impression most people on this site don't rate the britpart!!! Any opinions?

Concentricity between swivel bore and axle tube oil seal is important otherwise the oil seal will wear rapidly due to the misalignment and cause oil leakage from axle. The ball joints are pressed in on assembly and given the amount of rust/water/corrosion over the years can be very difficult to remove without the right equipment. I had both the press and alignment jig for the replacement which I sold on to a member on here a couple of years ago. From an engineering aspect, I would be most reluctant to rely on the old screwed collet position as a benchmark when replacing the ball joint(s). Most upsetting to find either a week or a month later that there is EP90 pi**ing out of the axle tube end past the oil seal (s).
I have a brand new front axle assembly complete with ball joints and swivels (Less diff)-as delivered to factory,ready to fit as a straight swap over, sitting in my garage-send me a PM if you are interested. I got it a few years ago "just in case" but sold my P38 without needing it.

Irishrover said:

I have a brand new front axle assembly complete with ball joints and swivels (Less diff)-as delivered to factory,ready to fit as a straight swap over, sitting in my garage-send me a PM if you are interested. I got it a few years ago "just in case" but sold my P38 without needing it.

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I think I've sent you a PM - can't se it in my sent items though?

Cheers

Marc

Sorry didn't get it

Irishrover said:

Sorry didn't get it

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I've tried again, but still not in my sent items

If you don't get it, can you try sending me a blank one and I'll try a reply.

Cheers

Marc

PM just sent