What is this ominous bolt?

Hi all. I have a defender 110 td5 from 1998. I do basic maintenance on it from time to time, so willing to get my hands dirty when it is needed. Today i found a bolt on the floor towards the back of the Landy, its about 2 inches long and looks fresh. I'm a bit worried as i don't recognise it and was wondering if anyone can shed some light on it? Many thanks

It is the ball part of a ball joint, most likely from a gas strutt of some find?
What size nut fits the threaded section?

Check your Steering Arm, is there a hole through bolt for split pin ?

Brake caliper bolt?

I'll check thx

Ok. Its about 12mm in diameter, no split pin hole. But the end looks like it takes an allen key. It could be my difficult neighbours who do a lot of car tinkering have thrown it onto the drive.I guess the main question is does it look like a landy part?

sellma said:

Ok. Its about 12mm in diameter, no split pin hole. But the end looks like it takes an allen key. It could be my difficult neighbours who do a lot of car tinkering have thrown it onto the drive.I guess the main question is does it look like a landy part?

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If it has an allen key female hex in the end of the threaded bit then 99 percent chance of it being an arb drop link off a normal car.

lynall said:

If it has an allen key female hex in the end of the threaded bit then 99 percent chance of it being an arb drop link off a normal car.

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this +1

Just thinking, do the td5 models have the same strange ball joint/rubber bush arb drop links as the tdi models, if so are they still in place on the car?

I cannot see it being off the td5 myself as the nut has clearly been undone, but stranger things have happened!

Ok, i will drive it locally for the next week and see if and thing falls off, steering goes weird or any out of place noises. Thanks for the help all.

sellma said:

Ok, i will drive it locally for the next week and see if and thing falls off, steering goes weird or any out of place noises. Thanks for the help all.

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I think 10mins on your back underneath first might be a better investment than driving it for a week

Just a thought

J

lynall said:

It is the ball part of a ball joint, most likely from a gas strutt of some find?
What size nut fits the threaded section?

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yep it's the guts of a ball joint. Just look all over the car for anywhere where one may have fallen off, but that is extremely unlikely and if so where is the nut? Looks like you have sh!tty neighbours much like mine. Maybe you could put it down their petrol filler tube?!

lynall said:

If it has an allen key female hex in the end of the threaded bit then 99 percent chance of it being an arb drop link off a normal car.

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yes so not off the landy

marjon said:

I think 10mins on your back underneath first might be a better investment than driving it for a week

Just a thought

J

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Now come on that is common sense, we do not need any of that on here

I can’t see the possibility of a ball joint falling off in that way, but check the rear anti roll bar if fitted.

Looks like something the neighbours threw under your Land Rover for a laugh.

lynall said:

Now come on that is common sense, we do not need any of that on here

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sorry must drink more beer before I post

J

marjon said:

sorry must drink more beer before I post

J

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I am practising being a sober arsehole, it is actually quite easy, just disagree with everyone even if they are right

lynall said:

If it has an allen key female hex in the end of the threaded bit then 99 percent chance of it being an arb drop link off a normal car.

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jamesmartin said:

yes so not off the landy

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Agree but do you really know a POs “bodges”

What do your lovely neighbours drive? Maybe we can help you mess with them

J

You mean like taking an old bolt on a roller coaster and showing it to the person next to you as you set off

lightning said:

Looks like something the neighbours threw under your Land Rover for a laugh.

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The neighbours drive a old transit, civic sleeper sort of car, an old Lexus and a Suzuki jeep thing ( with those huge deep dish wheels). All really tasteful cars.