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Mossberg



Member Since: 29 Feb 2020
Location: Lancs
Posts: 553

United Kingdom 1993 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Aintree Green
1993 Defender swivel replacement
I managed to get under the truck to grease the props and track rod ends yesterday. Looking at the swivels they need replacing, so;

The ones I have seen all seam to be Britpart, but with all I have read on here about Britpart I don't know how good these will be. Any opinions welcome or alternatives, or perhaps additions/replacements for any of the components?

Also, if they are going, is it likely other items will need doing at the same time (or worth doing whilst it is stripped down)? I don't want everything stripped to find out I need something else in the middle of doing it?

And do you fill with oil or the one shot grease?

The wisdom of your experiences will be welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Mick
Post #829840 8th May 2020 9:56am
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Hufflepuff



Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 727

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
I've just gone through this daunting process myself Mossberg. I would recommend watching a series of video's from Chris at Trailor Fitter on YouTube, ie. the set starting at:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLB...d0LZuaU1cY

so you know the process to strip the axle down to the swivels.


There are several types of 'kit' for the swivels, depending on:

(a) Roller bearing top and bottom mounts on the swivel
(b) Railko bush top mount
(c) If you have ABS or not

the kits having codes such as:

SSL03F Mid type:
https://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/ssk03f-s...5237-p.asp

SSK04F Later type:
https://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/ssk04f-s...5230-p.asp

I'm not sure what a 1993 defender would be, possibly the earlier type than these for which I don't have a kit code.


While stripping the axle, you may also want to consider:

(a) New wheel bearings
(b) Potentially a new stub axle depending on condition
(c) Complete set of oil seals

However you can just 'hack it' and remove the whole assembly in one piece at the swivel ball flanges, as Mike demonstrated here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHX1V2FnNk4


Also don't forget to get some decent high strength Loctite (eg. 270) before you start, many of the bolts need to be Loctited on.

I managed it (with a lot of prior research!) and I am by no means a great mechanic, so it is possible, but there is quite a lot to it if you've not done it before. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW
Post #829849 8th May 2020 10:31am
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Hufflepuff



Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 727

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
To answer your questions directly - there are plenty of choices other than Britpart branded, although from what I gather the Britpart Teflon swivels aren't too bad.

As far as I am aware Britpart don't manufacture anything themselves, so you could find no matter who the brand its been churned out of the same factory.

I bought one kit from

https://www.shop4autoparts.net/parts/axle-...abs-ssk04/

which unfortunately came with the earlier type Railko bush swivel on one side, which I am still in discussions with them about replacing. I then failed to spot the 'kit' on Advanced Factors and bought all the parts individually which cost quite a bit more (about £140 total, although they have a Covid discount atm which reduced it to £120), and the Swivel came in a Bearmach branded box.

As to if you need one shot grease or not - the answer is 'probably'. There are two designs- one which uses oil filled swivels where you have a drain and a fill plug on your swivel housing, and the later type which switched to grease.

The common consensus seems to be the grease filled option is 'better', being fit and forget and less worry about it leaking out. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW
Post #829853 8th May 2020 10:38am
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Mossberg



Member Since: 29 Feb 2020
Location: Lancs
Posts: 553

United Kingdom 1993 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Aintree Green
Thanks for the reply, I had read your posts on the subject.

I have watched the trailer fitter videos and they are very informative. I will have to watch than again a couple of times as things tend to take time to sink in!!

I am trying to establish if a kit of parts is all good stuff or I should also get this kind of seal or that kind of gasket - or buy the swivel housing on its own and buy these bearings, those seals and the other gaskets etc.

I also wonder about the stub axles and bearings. If I am going to this much effort I don't want to have to revisit it to change the bearings in 18 months.

I am going to have to change one of the front callipers so it may also be new callipers, discs and pads also - but then do you get the new brake pipes and braided hoses???

It could end up being a costly job and I have only had the truck a couple of months and not been able to drive it yet!!

Thanks for the help.

Regards

Mick
Post #829936 8th May 2020 5:47pm
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Harry.O



Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 716

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi ST Nato Green
Although I wouldn't normally recommend Britpart spares, their swivel rebuild kits are good. If you choose the version that has a G on the end of the part number, it is all OEM parts inside such as Corteco seals and Timken bearings. 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top
1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles
Post #830027 9th May 2020 8:23am
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Mossberg



Member Since: 29 Feb 2020
Location: Lancs
Posts: 553

United Kingdom 1993 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Aintree Green
Thanks for the reply.

The "G" kits are quite expensive compared to the others and I don't have the money to buy genuine if the other gear is a suitable replacement, especially if weak component of a kit is inexpensive to purchase at the same time.

I just have to watch the pennies! Spending money on OEM parts when it is not warranted means I can't buy other parts (and I have a few to get!!!).

Saying that, I want to keep this truck so don't want to buy gear that is likely to fail.

It is a balance getting the right stuff at the right price, but I hope with the help of you guys I can make the best choice.

Many thanks for the help.

Mick
Post #830065 9th May 2020 11:07am
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2656

Scotland 
OEM (or better) parts are always warranted.

The Britpart ‘OEM’ G-suffix swivels actually appear to be reasonable. I fitted a set to mine years ago before I knew the reality of their shocking quality control and other than the Teflon wearing off they have been okay. These days though I would buy genuine as I can’t bring myself to give Britpart any money.

For the swivel job buy genuine or decent OEM branded parts - Timken bearings and Corteco seals as above. The Allmakes PR2 range is generally good. Costs more but it will last - mine have done over 230k since rebuild and are only now needing looking at again.

Don’t fall for the myth that OEM means it’s the same as the genuine part in a plain box - while this may be true in some cases for many parts it is not. Each part must be assessed on its own merit.

Good luck - a swivel hub rebuild is a messy job but fairly simple and a good way to get to know the business end of the vehicle.
Post #830171 9th May 2020 10:29pm
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