The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

[joinerman]

Had the cruiser mot'd today and got an advisory about bad corrosion on the chrome swivel joints, they say you cannot replace them.

Brian

[Google]

[DaveN]

They're not actually chrome anyway, he's confusing them with a Land Rover. They're just bare metal, and always look rusty. Usually, the 'wiper' seals are tired as well, but then that lets a bit of grease onto the swivels which cures the rusty look. It may be the swivels are dry of grease inside anyway.

If you're really worried about them, you can fill the swivel with grease an replace the seals, and while you're at it, clean the swivels up a bit.

But they will always look rusty whatever you do.

[jvoelcker]

The swivel joints are also referred to as the knuckle ball.

If it is rusty, it is generally down to the lack of grease in the knuckle housing where the CV is and the lack of grease will lead to the premature wear of the CV joints as well as the knuckle bearings.

You could get away with pumping grease into the knuckle housing via the plug with the square top to it that is on the top of the knuckle at the front, however if the knuckle ball is rusty and very dry you are probably better off doing a complete strip down and repack of the knuckle as well as the wheel bearings - the chances are that there is already some damage to the CV joint.

The seal kit is only £32 from Milner Off Road, although you are better off getting the genuine Toyota inner axle seal (£8.50 each). Assuming that the CV joint, knuckle bearings and wheel bearings are OK it is a pretty easy job, but very messy.

There are plenty of sites out there describing how to do it (search for Birfield repack) and if you get stuck I have done a few for various people so would be happy to advise.

Usually I clean the balls up and treat the rust with a rust treatment before re-assembly - once properly serviced with enough grease in the knuckle the balls should remain clean and shiny - you just need to keep the grease topped up at every service.
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Cheers,

Julian
1994 HDJ80, with loads of mods without looking too obscene
1997 KZJ95 - Gilly's - plain black and muddy on BFG ATs.