Swivel housing swap

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

MY 2004 Defender 90 Td5 was in the workshop recently for its annual service and preparation for the MoT test. All of the oils and filters were changed and a worn steering drop arm ball joint was replaced. Having checked for play in all four wheel bearings by jacking the wheels off the ground and shaking each wheel in turn, I detected slight movement in the front right wheel and assumed that it was a simple matter of tightening the wheel bearing, which I could do later.

Before heading to the test centre I checked again and discovered the play was actually in the swivel ball assembly. This was not a quick fix, so to keep my appointment I informed the MoT tester of the issue and he decided the state of the swivel housing was not yet serious and would only merit an advisory, so the vehicle passed. However, it was time to carry out a proper investigation of the swivel pins and swivel balls on my Defender, and put things right without delay.

Stripping down the front axle

WITH the Land Rover raised on the lift