Front End - Defender 110

[robert m]

Hey all. Just did a full brake job on the 110 and noticed something new.
When everything was back together I grabbed the road wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock and wiggled it - no play. When doing the same at 12 and 9 o'clock, quite a lot of movement.... when looking behind the rim, seemed as though the whole hub assembly was a little loose at the swivel ball. Maybe more on the bottom pin than the top.
Now, the steering and suspension bits seem tight with the exception of a light clunk when turning to the maximum, in both directions. But no sloppiness on the road. One wheel seems more 'wiggly' than the other.
I have read a lot about bearing preload etc, but suspect one of the swivel components. If thats the case, is it a big job? What constitutes a full swivel service? As I am not sure when it was last done, perhaps it needs one.
Also, forgot to mention, there is a leak from the swivel seal on the 'loose' wheel.
Any input, info or suggestions would be appreciated. - Robert

[John]

On a vehicle of that age it would be difficult to say what you are likely to find when you look closer. If is possible that a previous owner never assembled it correctly in which case the swivel pins may just need shimming correctly or bearings and pins could be warn - or who knows.

If you don't have a manual you can download one here

http://www.landrover.ee/est/varia/downloads/cars.htm

That should give you some idea of the construction and re&re steps.

[robert m]

Thanks John. Have the factory manual and parts book etc... and have had most of it apart at one point or another. Was hoping for suggestions as far as a diagnosis. Maybe something simple someone had come across with the same symptoms. I do however realize its hard to 'guess' without looking. Appreciate your feedback though. And yes, it is a 1992, so who knows....
Time to take it apart and start gutting.

[Glenn D.]

I had nearly identical symptoms in my 85 D90.
I suspect its you swivel pin/bearings on the bottom. It is a job you can do yourself if you are competent.
I had mine done cause I was lazy. Price depends on the condition of you swivel balls (snicker...) They can get rusty and eventually leak.

If they are fine then the parts are resonable (for a land rover). You should do you swivel seals and upper/lower pins etc. While you are in there.

If you leave it too long I hear you may damage your balls after a while and thus the price goes up a few hundred dollars a side.

I just had mine done this summer and the handling improved greatly.

And no more leaking balls.
:D

Glenn

[John]

Sorry, I guess I did not outright say it but yes, your preliminary diagnosis of a problem with the swivel pins sounds correct.

[HeadDamage]

Sometimes you can fix this by removing some shims from under the top pin that holds the top of the swivel together.

[Bern B]

I had to do some work on the the front end of my 110 this past spring
my swivels were loose and leaking
I needed to replace 1 upper pin on one side and the railko bush on both sides I also changed the bearings and new seals
The hardest part for me was setting up the right amount of shims, make sure you have plenty of different sizes of shims and follow the directions in the manual .
Now I have tight steering and dry balls :D
Good luck and like Glenn said dont leave it to long

[robert m]

Okay... this is precisely why I am a member. Exactly the kind of responses I had hoped for. Thank you all. Now I will start buying the bits and in a couple of weeks, take 'er apart and gid'er done!!!

Thanks again...
For now I'll still envy all your dry balls. :oops: [/img]

[nakedbarra]

How do you know when your getting old?
You start having dry :sleepy2: and wet :fart:
Sorry, but that last comment got me thinking about something a wise old man told me .