Swivel Ball Gaiters

[whitehillbilly64]

Hi.
Just wondering if members have fitted swivel ball gaiters.
With Gilbert being my daily driver, on about 2klms of dirt road a day, I wonder if they will help protect the swivel balls and seals from wear and chips.
Even make my own from a pattern.
Thanks for your comments.

whitehillbilly

[akelly]

I have them on my IIa, seem to do a good job of protecting the swivel balls. No holes or damage in them after nearly 10 years, but maybe that's an indication that I need to do more off-roading?

[whitehillbilly64]

Positive feed back.
Thank you.
What brand and type did you use ????
Comments on UK forums, was MOD vehicles had them fitted and always, the swivel ball were in better condition, than the unprotected ones.
Thank you again.

whitehillbilly

[gromit]

Also interested to hear whether they are rubber or leather.

The leather ones look OK but the rubber ones that come in a blue box possibly wouldn't last long.
Do you partly remove occasionally & check to make sure that no rust is occurring ? I did find comments about the possibility of them actually holding water if there was a hole, probably relates more to the rubber ones because the leather ones lace on rather than seal (looking at pictures of them).
Also with leather do you have to apply neatsfoot oil or something similar to keep the leather flexible or maybe oil leaking from the swivels does this job ?!

Colin

[akelly]

Positive feed back.
Thank you.
What brand and type did you use ????
Comments on UK forums, was MOD vehicles had them fitted and always, the swivel ball were in better condition, than the unprotected ones.
Thank you again.

whitehillbilly

I can't remember what brand they are, but they are grey leather, quite thick.

[akelly]

Also interested to hear whether they are rubber or leather.

The leather ones look OK but the rubber ones that come in a blue box possibly wouldn't last long.
Do you partly remove occasionally & check to make sure that no rust is occurring ? I did find comments about the possibility of them actually holding water if there was a hole, probably relates more to the rubber ones because the leather ones lace on rather than seal (looking at pictures of them).
Also with leather do you have to apply neatsfoot oil or something similar to keep the leather flexible or maybe oil leaking from the swivels does this job ?!

Colin

Mine are leather and yep, the leaking oil keeps them in good shape! I've never applied any treatment to them. There's no way they would hold water, but I can see that the rubber ones would.

Cheers,

Adam

[whitehillbilly64]

Thanks.
look like these ????
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/221856173270?chn=ps&dispItem=1

whitehillbilly

[incisor]

same as my leather ones i believe

[gromit]

Different colour leather Swivel Housing Gaiter Kit - Leather - Paddock Spares (http://www.paddockspares.com/276954-swivel-houing-gaiter-kit-leather.html)

Colin

[B.S.F.]

When I bought my L/R 17 years ago it came with new swivel balls. I've done 150k km since then, a lot on dirt ( I live on a dirt road for a start) and my swivels are still unmarked. I do however make sure they always contain oil. I've found that all the damage done by flying stones is to parts b-e-h-i-n-d the front axle, mainly to the rear shock absorbers and the muffler. I don't think gaiters would make a difference to the poor quality plating of todays swivels. .W.

[akelly]

Thanks.
look like these ????
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/221856173270?chn=ps&dispItem=1

whitehillbilly

yep, they are the same colour as that. Can't tell if it's the same kit, but looks like it.