v8discoian

New Member
Hi All.
So I am currently overhauling a spare pair of axles that I have for my 300tdi.

One of the swivels doesn't look to bad, need to have a proper look at it tomorrow but for sure the other one has seen better days. Now the cheapest price I have found so far is £75 plus postage (its non ABS '94)however also came across the link below.

Now then do you recon if I get some fine paper and smooth off the bad swivel and then fit this kit it should be alright? Does any one have any experience with these kits. If they are a pile of poo then I wont bother, but I cant see how they wouldn't work as a normal car CV has no metal cover??

Anyway, comments on a postcard lol

Land Rover Discovery 1 Rubber Swivel Gaiter Kit | eBay
 
I wouldnt go down the route of sanding them down. Just replace. I replaced one of mine the other week. The other doesnt look too bad but I bought a replacement at the same time but haven't got round to fitting it yet. And those gaiters are prime for holding water and crap thus causing premature wear. I stand to be corrected though
 
If there is no crap inside the gaitor from the get go though should it not be OK.

I am swung towards replacing the swivel(s) just wondered if anyone had any previouse experience with the gaitor?
 
I wouldnt go down the route of sanding them down. Just replace. I replaced one of mine the other week. The other doesnt look too bad but I bought a replacement at the same time but haven't got round to fitting it yet. And those gaiters are prime for holding water and crap thus causing premature wear. I stand to be corrected though

Did you replace with a chrome or teflon swivel ? I'm looking to do both of mine shortly and not sure which to go for.
 
Be aware of swivel ball failure in teflon/ after market .
 
Please do a search there is some extensive info on here

But to summarise:

Some if not all Teflon are substandard quality and will break if used heavily off road

You cannot get new chrome anymore

VGC or reconditioned chrome are always better than new Teflon

Teflon are ok for road car but even then are knackered in a few years, Teflon wears away

Gaitors are good for high mileage road cars, prevent pitting and attack from salts etc BUT will retain moisture so are bad idea for off roader, essentially they are better for high speed vehicles that tend to stay dry and/or have immediate maintenance

For most people most of the time Teflon is ok but apart from finding vgc chrome items many don't have a choice.

As such, you takes your chance.
 
Please do a search there is some extensive info on here

But to summarise:

Some if not all Teflon are substandard quality and will break if used heavily off road

VGC or reconditioned chrome are always better than new Teflon

Teflon are ok for road car but even then are knackered in a few years, Teflon wears away

For most people most of the time Teflon is ok but apart from finding vgc chrome items many don't have a choice.

As such, you takes your chance.

I have "Teflon" they are black anyway, :) so what's a few years, mine are still OK 16 years from when my disco left the factory, road use only I know , if I ever had a problem my disco would be sold. :D
 
Going to take a good look at both the swivels a little later. But assuming one is good to reuse (which on initial observations it looked OK (Better than the ones on my other truck when I bought that 8 years ago)) I will just replace the one the other side and not use gaiters.

I've come to this conclusion as this truck is the road truck with occasional summer green lane runs, then a Teflon swivel shouldn't give me any real issues and I can get one of them for just under what it would cost for two gaiters.

I am still very interested in the gaiters. I don't think I would ever fit them to my off road v8 though as not only the moister issue but also they are likely to get caught and split so I could not trust them.

However I disagree with the above comment a little with regards to seepage into the gaiter over time. Surely if the swivel, cv etc are completely clean when fitted and a gaitor is used then there is no dirt that can seep into the swivel??

Just opening up questions here really.
 
Moisture seems to find fantastic ways of getting into places

I guess if you fitted the gaitor very well it would be ok, in the same fashion a regular drive shaft cv boot is

I have good faith in them for high mileage low maintenance cars, they would keep the swivels in better condition for sure esoevially if they didn't get submerged
 
Yer think I'll stay clear of the gaiters and fit a new swivel. just given the other swivel a really good clean and it looks great with the exception a couple of small bits that are starting to go.

So now I just need to work out the best place to order all the parts from (this is going to cost a lot more than I initially expected lol, but doesn't everything)

Thanks for the help guys.
 
My only advice is if you buy a cheapo swivel rebuild kit that's cool but ditch all the seals and fit genuine quality ie Corteco or equivalent

And you will be just fine :)
 
On the subject of chrome swivels, where can you take them to be returned and if so how much??

If not can they be done diy?
 
Just out of interest, when did they stop doing chrome swivels as m mate reckons he got new chrome for his 90 last year.
 

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