Karls · Apr 30, 2015

The swivel ball from the drivers side was in perfect condition. Today I've dismantled the nearside one and have what you can see in the photo. Slight bubbling of the chrome and if you zoom in you can see the seal looks to go across that area.

Is this bad news? I assume it is and it needs sorting. If so, what are my options?

I'm wary of going for replacements having read some nightmare stories recently and obviously don't want to go the Britpart route. Can I get it re-chromed?

Turboman · Apr 30, 2015

Karls said:
The swivel ball from the drivers side was in perfect condition. Today I've dismantled the nearside one and have what you can see in the photo. Slight bubbling of the chrome and if you zoom in you can see the seal looks to go across that area.

Is this bad news? I assume it is and it needs sorting. If so, what are my options?

I'm wary of going for replacements having read some nightmare stories recently and obviously don't want to go the Britpart route. Can I get it re-chromed?

Doesn't look like the seal is riding over that area, if its not leaking badly don't worry about it. Small leaks can be topped up, or use one shot grease.

IIRC the balls aint chrome any more, although they used to be.

As far as I know, good quality genuine and OEM balls are available if you do need to change it!

Kwakerman · Apr 30, 2015

One of the old ways of sorting out pitted forks on bikes (of the motor type) was to remove all loose chrome and thoroughly degrease (or use a small blowtorch) all the oily residue out of the pitting. Then fill the pits with a slow setting epoxy like araldite and smooth it to follow the contour of the fork. Once set use some very fine wet and dry (used wet) to flatten the epoxy down to the metal level. The idea is to allow the seal to move smoothly across the once pitted area without getting caught on a rough surface which will damage it further.

harry2012 · Apr 30, 2015

Or just buy a new teflon swivel ball and be done with it.

top drive · May 1, 2015

Ha kwackerman there was me thinking i was mad for considering that

My axle needs a set of swivel balls but im reluctant to spend 200quid on this axle as i have. Set of disco axles im rebuilding offline once i get my mot

greyhair · May 1, 2015

Turboman said:
Doesn't look like the seal is riding over that area, if its not leaking badly don't worry about it. Small leaks can be topped up, or use one shot grease.

IIRC the balls aint chrome any more, although they used to be.

As far as I know, good quality genuine and OEM balls are available if you do need to change it!

Agree with the above
the seals are a long way off where you have the corrosion, so you will be ok for a while,

zeaphod · May 1, 2015

Doesn't look too bad at all. Unless it's leaking or you have Landyocditis, forget about it. If it's leaking, one shot grease will sort it.

Kwakerman · May 1, 2015

top drive said:
Ha kwackerman there was me thinking i was mad for considering that

it actually works quite well, if the damage is in the area the seal sweeps then it reduces oil leaks and further seal damage, if it is outside the swept area it stops moisture getting in to the pitting and making it worse.

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