Ball joint replacement

I've finally finished replacing the ball joints on the landy. I started this job more than a week ago but there were a few problems. I started with the drag link. The ball joint on the steering relay end came out pretty easy but the other one took a fair bit of whacking the steering arm to break the taper. The hammer type ball joint splitter that I bought especially for the job was useless. I got one ball joint unscrewed easily but the other one wouldn't budge. Even lots of heat and two monkey wrenches couldn't do it. Dad mentioned that when he replaced them back in 2005 he couldn't get one undone so it is likely it had been in there 20 years or more. I ended up buying a new drag link. I needed another at some stage anyway because mine didn't have the mount for a steering damper. I got it from Classic 4x4 Parts in Auckland along with a new oil pressure switch for my Discovery. Both were genuine parts and fitted perfectly. The track rod ball joints came out easily. It seems that some makes of ball joints have grease nipples have some don't. The ones I got were Britpart and the sealed for life type. I prefer this as the OEM (Lemforder) ones are sealed for life so I guess this is superior. The ball joints all went on easily and seemed ok quality wise. At $5 a pop i'm not complaining. I reused the old clamps with new bolts.

Track Rod Ball Joint

Steering Damper Mount

I've taken the Landy on the tarmac before I touched the steering, after adjusting the steering box and after doing the ball joints. The adjustment of the steering box stopped the wandering but the ball joints have got rid of lots of the play in the steering. It now holds a straight line at 50kmh when before I touched it it was dangerous to go 30. Huge improvement. I think that replacing the ball joints was one of the best improvements for the money i've made. The ball joints only cost me $30 and are pretty easy to do.

I've also dug out my old Haynes manual for help with ordering axle parts. I'll probably do the rear axle before christmas and wait until the new year to start the front.

New Brake Drum

I expected putting the new brake drum on to be a 5 minute job but as always not everything went to plan. When I went to put the drum on the first time the studs didn't line up. I thought that as the wheel had been on without the drum the studs hadn't bedded in straight, they didn't look like it anyway. I then proceeded to destroy the threads on the studs and nuts trying to pull them back through so I had to get 5 new studs and nuts. These studs seemed much better quality than the ones the replaced but were, again, unbranded. Replacing the studs didn't work. I then drilled out all 5 holes to 19mm to get the drum on but it still took a mallet to get it over the shoes. I think that both the hub and drum were just crap. I know the drum was Britpart but I don't know about the hub. I should have simply found a series 2 hub in the first place rather than substituting a series 3 one. When I rebuild the rear axle I will find a secondhand series 2 hub and brake drum rather than using the ill-fitting series 3 hub/drum. I guess the lesson learnt is to get the right part and try to go with good quality parts rather than the cheapo Britpart stuff.

New Parts and other updates

The new parts have arrived and I have run into a few problems. I placed two orders with LR Direct, one for the brake drum and ball joints and another for the lights. However, I somehow accidentally ordered two of the brake drum order so I have ended up with double of everything. This was no fault of Lr Direct, they shipped everything I ordered and it was brilliantly packaged. It was just me being a bit stupid. Hopefully I can sell some of the stuff through forums to recoup the cost but I guess its a good lesson to make completely sure you have the right stuff before you order.

The posts on replacing the ball joints and brake drum will still go ahead but unfortunately you might have to wait a wee bit longer if you want to see the lights being replaced. I'm thinking of placing another order in November/December for stuff like hub oil seals and possibly a swivel rebuild kit. The next few big jobs will be focused on the axles and I will eventually move on to drive shafts, gearbox and clutch. I am focusing on the drivetrain as I can do it myself, the rusty chassis and bulkhead will require someone that can weld. I've also got some things on the Discovery to do but I probably won't document them as they're just small electrical jobs.

The ball joint and brake drum posts should be up by mid next week (10-11 October). Also, the trip up the Rangitata might turn into a overnighter up the Godley/ Macaulay rivers at the head of Lake Tekapo. Bit easier terrain and better facilities. Also the scenery should be even more spectacular. It's just going to be the Discovery and dads Defender and because my Discovery is bone stock and dad is very careful with his Defender the easier terrain is probably the better option. This is all weather dependent but hopefully all the rain we had in winter has left none for spring!

Please feel free to leave a comment. If you have any recommendations on parts suppliers or brands to look out for i'd love to know!