Thread: Swivel Housing/Ball - Differences?

had a quick squizz, and it seems that it's VIN dependent .. so yep(I think).

Up to VIN KA930455 and then from LA930456 ... I think this is around '93/94 ish ... but not sure with Defenders.

Anyhow, looks like there is a Railko type bush swivel, and then a tapered bearing type for the ABS/nonABS types.

there is a difference between the balls (excluding leafer to coil versions), to the best of my knowledge they interchange if you swap enough parts across with them which from memory include

the bearings and races
the swivel pins

I recall there being something funny with the ford version as well which as a model came in around in 2007 although that may have been related to the axle side not the swivel side.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

there is a difference between the balls (excluding leafer to coil versions), to the best of my knowledge they interchange if you swap enough parts across with them which from memory include

the bearings and races
the swivel pins

I recall there being something funny with the ford version as well which as a model came in around in 2007 although that may have been related to the axle side not the swivel side.

Thanks... I understand the Top King Pin and bearings are different between ABS & Non-ABS but other than that I was kinda hoping that the actual Ball and where the bearing race presses into is the same whether its ABS or not... Would this be correct or not?

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Thanks... I understand the Top King Pin and bearings are different between ABS & Non-ABS but other than that I was kinda hoping that the actual Ball and where the bearing race presses into is the same whether its ABS or not... Would this be correct or not?

Thats my understanding.

The other diferences I think pertain to the setup for the guide bearing/bush for the CV joint. Im sure someone whose more part oriented than me can chip in and correct but I've never had an issue with fitting up whatever I got when I ordered up replacement swivels. (or fitted customer provided parts)

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Thanks... .. I was kinda hoping that the actual Ball and where the bearing race presses into is the same whether its ABS or not... Would this be correct or not?

If it's ABS then for sure the ball seal is going to be the later 9mm type,
But if it's non ABS, then there is either an earlier 12mm seal and a later 9mm seal.

As for the balls themselves, they can be different too.

Mate of mine melted his front wheel bearing. Helped him put it all back together. had to be careful what parts we ordered. I did the searching, mate ordered what I found was supposed to be the right parts. I was surprised how 'cheap' the swivel housing was .. considering the great lump of weight that they are.
All except one part we ordered came up perfect, and that was the ball seal(the 12mm vs 9mm differences). Turned out we ordered the correct part, but they accidentally sent the wrong one.

And remember that some Discos(and RRC) will have similar/same parts to the Defer, but not strictly in the same model years .. due to ABS/nonABS availability.