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.