Front ball joints

[Mick]

I have noticed that there is a slight leak at the bottom of the big ball joints on my BJ74,( don't know what the technical name is ) is it normal to have a slight leak, or do I need to replace something ?


Thanks


Mick

 

[woody]

knuckle seal kit....$80-100 in the US, see Morgan's writeup in the tech links for a good writeup on the process...

 

[Mick]

Thanks Woody. Someone on that thread mentioned about topping up with grease, do you know where the grease nipple or filler plug is ? I have just had a look but can find nothing.

Thanks


Mick

 

[woody]

looks like a pipe plug fitting....square head, into the side of the knuckle...

it only greases the trunions there tho, no help for dry birfields...only good way to get those is a complete teardown

 

[Mick]

Is there no oil in there ?

 

[woody]

in the knuckles? better not be...if there is, then your inner axle seal is junk.

knuckles use moly grease

 

[teapot]

i do a rebuild on the knuckles about every three years depending on how much i wheel, if you have never done it i would recommend doing so you might find something that needs attention like bearings, inner axle seal(probably your problem),and repacking the birfield. it's better to be safe than sorry at home than on the trail.

 

[peesalot]

new seal and grease every birfield replacement

 

[Mick]

Teapot, are the bearings likely to need replacing ? it has done 29000 road kms

As luck would have it I have discovered that a mechanic who works down the potash mines is a neighbor of mine. He has done axle overhauls on landcruisers many times, he will give me a helping hand.

It seems weird that quite a few people around here are familiar with landcruisers, but I am the only person that has one to use in daylight.

 

[Chef]

The knuckle (maybe they're called trunion where you are?) bearings are more likely to need replacement than the wheel bearings, but at 29k on the odo, it's more likely that you only need to replace seals, and clean and repack everything...

 

[Mick]

Sorry Chef, I made a typo. That should have read 129000 kms

Mick

 

[Chef]

Roight. Definately time for new trunion bearings.

 

[teapot]

the rebuild is not that hard just time consuming unbolt everything and replace it with new kit that simple, i spent $90.00 on a knuckle rebuild kit, and hi-temp grease. the firdt time i did this one side took me about two hours the other about 45 min. air tools help. don't forget to pack everything really good with grease before you start anything this will keep your hands cleaner which will make it faster to finish the job.