1998 Defender 130 - what should I be using in my Swivels?

[86mud]

Hi all

I currently run oil filled bearings. So I am assuming that my swivels fill with the oil from the diff like the bearings - is this correct or should I be adding oil to the swivels?

The swivel housing has only a fill point at the top of the housing.

Thanks

[travelrover]

This is what I use in my 96 300Tdi

Swivel pin housing
80W-90
0.35 each (.70) litres

[roverrescue]

The swivels will only fill from the diff if you have removed the inner seal pressed into the swivel before it is bolted to axle housing.
If you are running same oil through entire front end (which I do) overfill the diff to the top of the fill hole to ensure good volumes.

As you swivel housing is missing a drain it is tricky to check for water ingress
Drilling and tapping a drain is easy

S

[Blknight.aus]

checking the oil condition is easy...

turn the steering to lock in the direction of the swivel you want to check, remove filler, slip in a zip tie and pull it out again.

[roverrescue]

True Dave,
But then how do you drain the swivels of any said water?
Pull the diff plug sure, but water will sit in bottom of swivel sump which is lower than the axle tube?

10 minutes with a drill and tap and voila

S

[timax]

I had one with a drain and one without. When i did a CV rebuild i converted to oil including the seal removal and tapped the one housing. So now i can drain from 3 spots. It was super easy to do although very messy with the old grease. Castrol EPX is what i run .I replace about once per year depending on use as it an easy job and the oil is cheap.