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kipperthedog



Member Since: 27 Jun 2013
Location: Down South
Posts: 403

United Kingdom 
Drop arm ball joint
I need a new one of these. Now they can be had for around £6.50 on Fleabay, I presume these will be in a blue box. Has anyone fitted one this cheap , are they ok or is it necessary to spend a bit more? Steering is not somewhere you want cheap tat really!
Post #341894 30th Jun 2014 7:12pm
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Phoenix90



Member Since: 04 Mar 2012
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 377

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
I fitted one in a blue box to my first defender a few years ago, the rubber boot on the top lasted less than a year before it had perished.
Post #341896 30th Jun 2014 7:25pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3347

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
I think they are only £20 from main dealer.

Get main dealer one also how to:



Click image to enlarge
Post #341901 30th Jun 2014 7:41pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8006

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
the def drop arm joint is not a great design and changing them is not the easiest job either. the disco conversion is a far better option with a std TRE,

having said that i have used Bearmach kits with good results.

Best thing to do on a vehicle you intend to keep is change the arm. Gwyn Lewis do a complete kit for it now too. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #341902 30th Jun 2014 7:45pm
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Dave T



Member Since: 07 Jun 2013
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 488

United Kingdom 1994 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Cairns Blue
I after loads of hassle with the defender version, I went down the discovery arm route, you end up with a conventional track rod end. To make it easier I bought a discovery steering box and drop arm then sold my defender one for the same price. Whistle Whistle 2015 RRS Autobiography SDV6
1994 Def 90 300tdi
Post #341915 30th Jun 2014 8:13pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8006

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
OP - how did you get on? Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #342896 4th Jul 2014 9:15pm
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Alex1976



Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

England 
I swapped my Drop Arm to a Disco type using the Gwyn Lewis kit. Also swapped to HD steering bars at the same time. Made the whole steering system much firmer and took away any play. Next time I need to swap the drop arm TRE it will be simple. The TRE's are all with grease nipples so should last a long time as well.
Post #343139 6th Jul 2014 9:27am
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Dave T



Member Since: 07 Jun 2013
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 488

United Kingdom 1994 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Cairns Blue
Good choice Thumbs Up 2015 RRS Autobiography SDV6
1994 Def 90 300tdi
Post #343169 6th Jul 2014 12:01pm
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Clive



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 467

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
The last time I replaced one of these I drilled and tapped the "cover plate" (item 10 above) and fitted a grease nipple.
I gave it a quick squirt every time I greased the props - never had to replace it again Thumbs Up
Post #343186 6th Jul 2014 1:24pm
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kipperthedog



Member Since: 27 Jun 2013
Location: Down South
Posts: 403

United Kingdom 
Thanks Clive, that had crossed my mind too.
Post #343200 6th Jul 2014 3:58pm
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barbel jim



Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1419

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Tonga Green
jst wrote:
the def drop arm joint is not a great design
Best thing to do on a vehicle you intend to keep is change the arm. Gwyn Lewis do a complete kit for it now too.

Is this the kit your referring too James
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181308130720?ssP...1423.l2649
Edit to add ebay link Embarassed


Last edited by barbel jim on 7th Jul 2014 7:53pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #343201 6th Jul 2014 4:11pm
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kipperthedog



Member Since: 27 Jun 2013
Location: Down South
Posts: 403

United Kingdom 
jst wrote:
OP - how did you get on?


I haven't yet.....

BUT I have ordered a ball joint kit and a cup fitting/removal tool. So I will soon have the wherewithal to move it from the (longish) To-Do list to the Done list!

I think I will fit a grease nipple to the cover plate. Then I just need to get better at remembering to apply the grease gun to the Defender........... Rolling Eyes
Post #343537 7th Jul 2014 6:35pm
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barbel jim



Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1419

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Tonga Green
Just did mine this morning. Having read of others woes at removing the drop arm, I discovered this http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=14338 (sorry if the link is against forum rules Confused ). Took me just over 2 hours to replace from start to finish Replaced with genuine LR item. Happy days Mr. Green Thumbs Up
Post #344872 13th Jul 2014 1:11pm
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