A-Frame balljoint

[mudder110]

howdy all, need to replace the a frame balljoint on my 110, was wondering if I can do this without jacking up the vehicle also has any one used the maxidrive replacement, any tips appreciated cheers all.

[Bundy]

I've done it on a couple of RRC. The shocks and springs and having it in gear hold the diff from rotating pretty well. You may need and assistant to push or pull the car so you can get it lined up to go back in.
A tie rod end puller is also needed if the taper on the joint is stuck fast.

[TonyC]

:eek:

With the A frame disconnected the axle can rotate and the car will fall off the axle.
With all four wheels chocked it "shouldn't", but there is no no way you would get me under it!

Jack it up and put it on chassis stands.

Tony

[Sirocco]

:eek:

With the A frame disconnected the axle can rotate and the car will fall off the axle.
With all four wheels chocked it "shouldn't", but there is no no way you would get me under it!

Jack it up and put it on chassis stands.

Tony

It cant rotate with the trailing arms, shocks and propshaft all in place, not to mention the weight on the springs. How does it fall off the axle?

Sure you don't want to do it on a hill and isolating all 4 wheels would be good practice but its not going to "fall over and kill you"...

Thats just silly :D

G

[TonyC]

It cant rotate with the trailing arms, shocks and propshaft all in place, not to mention the weight on the springs. How does it fall off the axle?

Sure you don't want to do it on a hill and isolating all 4 wheels would be good practice but its not going to "fall over and kill you"...

Thats just silly :D

G

The rear of the trailing arms are held by a single bolt IE: a hinge.
The top shock bushes are free to swing, the bottom ones are a little pin in a rubber bush.
Coil springs play no part in the axle location.
Once the A frame ball joint is disconnected there is no side ways location of the axle and nothing to stop the axle rolling forwards or back other than any wheel chocks you may have placed.
The tail shaft has a uni joint in each end as well as a sliding joint, so no axle location there.

If a Land Rover falls on you and doesn't kill you you should consider your self very lucky, on the other hand you may wish it had.

If you chose to ignore the basics of supporting a vehicle when working under it, so be it.
As I have stated there is no way I would get under it.

I guess we can let Mudder110 read the replies and make up his own mind.

Tony

[Sirocco]

Yes there is room for movement but it is very limited on each component. The springs and damper will help keep the axle aligned on the vertical axis. If the springs are firmly seated then the axle cannot rotate unless you force them forwards by movement of the wheels.

Certainly not enough to implode a defender without provoking it.

As always use common sense when doing these things.

[Jode]

All points noted, but Tony's advice to also use axle stands is in my view wise - I have only one life, and I'd rather live it driving a landie than a wheelchair. But the possible movement isn't great, as the others have noted; when I have replaced the ball joint, I've let the axle stands take most of the weight of the rear of the vehicle, chock the wheels, and get on with it.

[mudder110]

hi all thanks for the reply's axle stands it is anyone got the maxidrive balljoint once again thanks.

[TonyC]

hi all thanks for the reply's axle stands it is anyone got the maxidrive balljoint once again thanks.

Hi Mudder110,
I had a Maxi Drive A frame ball joint in my old 110.
Worked well and was greasable and adjustable for wear, not that it was in there long enough to show any wear.

The stands need to go under the chassis not the axle.

Tony

[uninformed]

Yes I have the MD ball joint and would buy one again.

[simmo]

Hi, are Maxi drive ball joints still being made by someone else?

Why buy one instead of a LR one? do they have advantage of better articulation or is it that they last a long time? I see they are grease able.

How does the cost compare, one from Roverspares is $40, I'm not sure if that LR or not, how much is the MD one? thanks

[uninformed]

A quick search would reveal many threads with referrence to MD and google would probably lead you to M R Automotive.....

AFAIK the MD ball joints are still being made to the same specs, and these better than anything LR made.

They are greasable and adjustable for wear.

I doubt the current genuine LR as good as the early LR ones and I also doubt a $40 BJ any better

[simmo]

"maxidrive axle rear ball joint defender"

thanks I did search before hand, there was some hits on the forum and talk on the forum about fitting them, but not about their improved function, MR, or the cost, only they're "good" and "greasable". I can go to MR website tks

[mudder110]

Hi, are Maxi drive ball joints still being made by someone else?

Why buy one instead of a LR one? do they have advantage of better articulation or is it that they last a long time? I see they are grease able.

How does the cost compare, one from Roverspares is $40, I'm not sure if that LR or not, how much is the MD one? thanks
hi simmo yea they are made by mr auotmove redcliff they are stronger and fully rebuildable as well as greasable two sizes one up to 2 inch lift one for over 2inc lift $220 each cheers

[brendanm]

I am a fan of all the Maxidrive products and would recommend them and certainly not look take any sales away from them. When I was looking for suspension components LR Automotive who are the Maxidrive distributors had a Balljoint to suit 2 inch lift. I ended up however getting one out of the UK from Gwyn Lewis as other components were coming from him. His one suits the two inch lift and articulates through a wider angle than standard. Maybe look into not only the increase in strength and serviceability but ask the question of wider operating angle. Be good to see money stay in Australia supporting home products.

[simmo]

Thanks Brendan, I found out about the rebuildable part, better articulation is good. I'm a fan of MD products/quality myself, i went to the factory and met Mal when I fitted my maxidrive locker. I had seen the MD ball joints discussed but couldn't find much info about them, hence the question. I'm just thinking ahead if I need to replace the one in my car at some time. I had it checked a year or so ago and it was fine then.