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Hello all! I had the front pass swivel assembly rebuilt on my D1 about 6 months ago. The shop put in a used part, and now it’s leaking again like crazy. Brought it back but they wouldn’t honor the warranty. Ultimately going to have to redo the job. Ive asked a few used part contacts if they have the part but it seems like they’re pretty hard to come by in good condition....can someone point me in the right direction of a reputable used part contact that might have one or a dealer where I can get the part for a reasonable price and condition?
Paul Grant & Will Tillery are two good used parts suppliers from whom I've purchased. Good experience with both. You can do a search for their details.
Paul Grant & Will Tillery are two good used parts suppliers from whom I've purchased. Good experience with both. You can do a search for their details.
What part do you need?
thanks! I reached out to Will yesterday and unfortunately he doesn’t have the part. I’ll have to double check what exactly needs to be replaced but I believe it’s the swivel ball itself. When I brought it back to get the seal replaced they said it wouldn’t seal properly because the ball they initially used was pitted. I’m still pretty new at this car stuff so please excuse anything that doesn’t make sense above lol
thanks! I reached out to Will yesterday and unfortunately he doesn’t have the part. I’ll have to double check what exactly needs to be replaced but I believe it’s the swivel ball itself. When I brought it back to get the seal replaced they said it wouldn’t seal properly because the ball they initially used was pitted. I’m still pretty new at this car stuff so please excuse anything that doesn’t make sense above lol
I've gotten the same schpiel, that the swivel ball needs to be replaced because it's pitted. Not sure I buy it. Bearmach sells swivel rebuild kits for $170 per, including a new swivel ball, here. It's on my to-do list, but they're such a pain to do I'm highly considering just buying a new seal and doing a janky cut-the-seal install.
I've gotten the same schpiel, that the swivel ball needs to be replaced because it's pitted. Not sure I buy it. Bearmach sells swivel rebuild kits for $170 per, including a new swivel ball, here. It's on my to-do list, but they're such a pain to do I'm highly considering just buying a new seal and doing a janky cut-the-seal install.
Im very hesitant to because I pretty much sold my soul to the devil with how much the repair cost...I was told that if I keep up with the grease and check it every few months or so it should be fine....not sure how accurate that is.
Im very hesitant to because I pretty much sold my soul to the devil with how much the repair cost...I was told that if I keep up with the grease and check it every few months or so it should be fine....not sure how accurate that is.
That should be correct. Mine need grease as is. I bought this Disco in march and knew one of the swivels was leaking. More pressing repairs took precedent, and at some point it stopped leaking, which probably means I don't have any grease left. They haven't collapsed yet, knock on wood. You should be fine if you keep up with it.
Pitting is a legitimate concern and cause for leakage/failure of the swivel, although it MIGHT not be that. The swivel ball is one big smooth surface and is sealed by a very large wiper seal. If the wiper on the seal is damaged, it'll leak. If the swivel is too pitted, fluid/oil will get out and onto the swivel/potentially run out while sitting if its dramatic enough.
Its a pain in the butt job, but definitely hobby mechanic level as long as you have a good head on your shoulders and a good mechanical sense of things.
If your "leak" is oil and not grease, you should make sure the inner axle seal at the base of the swivel is good, as that will allow diff oil into the swivel ball and thin out the swivel grease. Some folks run the swivels with oil instead of the grease, its up to you.
There is also a couple paper mating gaskets that could allow diff oil to leak out of if they bolts weren't tight or they did not clean the surfaces well, or did not install it right if they aren't familiar with the system.
number 22 is the big seal that is usually the leaker when the swivels go out. Very common to goof it up.
Number 5 is the seal that keeps the diff fluid out of the swivel. If it was coming in and there was something not quite fluid tight, it would leak diff fluid out of that point.
24 is the base seal between the swivel and axle housing, another leak point if installed wrong or missing as well as #4
Pass Swivel Assembly Issues
