Indentifying an axle / swivel housing - Defender

[100SRV]

I found that I needed to adjust the preload on my swivels once again so investigated further - it seems that a thrust washer or similar has broken up causing the occasional wobbly wheel. The problem is that the axles have no serial number visible so I can't tie them to a part number.

I suspect that they are 110" TD5 Defender type, the main features are:
ABS sensors in the top swivel pin
Only a filler plug in the swivel housing - no drain or level plugs present
The RH swivel appears to have had the arm for the drag link cut off.
There are brackets for anti-roll bar on the axle tube

I have also attached some photos which might help identify the parts applicable.







What VIN range / model year would these axles be used from/to please?

Edited by 100SRV on Friday 5th November 11:39

[paintman]

Only Defender ones with ABS in the top & no drain plugs that come up on LRcat are FTC5297/FTC5298

http://new.lrcat.com/#!/1235/266/296/64 Defender 2007 onwards

Edited by paintman on Friday 5th November 14:44

[100SRV]

paintman said:

Only Defender ones with ABS in the top & no drain plugs that come up on LRcat are FTC5297/FTC5298

http://new.lrcat.com/#!/1235/266/296/64 Defender 2007 onwards

Edited by paintman on Friday 5th November 14:44

Thank you for confirming, that was what I figured they were too.

[100SRV]

Bought a pair of swivel rebuild kits (pins, bearings etc - no swivel ball itself) and dismantled one side.

I thought there was something odd the other day and upon giving the top pin area a good clean I found that it has a railco bush rather than a taper roller bearing.

To convert to taper roller bearings I'll need new swivel balls.

What is the best solution - retain what I have or convert to the bearing arrangement?

[anonymous-user]

100SRV said:

Bought a pair of swivel rebuild kits (pins, bearings etc - no swivel ball itself) and dismantled one side.

I thought there was something odd the other day and upon giving the top pin area a good clean I found that it has a railco bush rather than a taper roller bearing.

To convert to taper roller bearings I'll need new swivel balls.

What is the best solution - retain what I have or convert to the bearing arrangement?

Depends how much you use it and how quickly you get through/need to adjust swivel bearings I guess?

[100SRV]

Thank you for the in-depth analysis and advice ;-)

I'm sticking with the Railco bushes.

Did 'Rover stop using Railco bushes as a cost-saving measure?

Edited by 100SRV on Friday 12th November 08:20

[100SRV]

Bush on the left is Land-Rover 110 early
One on the right as removed looks like a modified Range Rover classic part.




As the swivel balls are slightly pitted I've elected to change to 300TDi type.

[paintman]

Looking through for RRC comes up with this lot.

Mine's an '86 non-abs & that's taper rollers with the bearing outer track track pressed into the holes in the housing & the pins in the bearing/inner track assembly. Top & bottom are the same . LR part number 606666.

606666 is shown as lower only for abs equipped vehicles

Later top pin for abs equipped RRC/Disco 1 shows this thrust bearing (FTC2065): www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/ftc2065-thrust-bearing-s...
http://new.lrcat.com/#!/1229/79163/79258/6285 Item 9 doesn't give a part number when clicked, but I THINK it's also item 29 in the inset pic which shows a thrust washer.
The overhaul kit STC226 shows a pin, the flat bearing and two washers. Wouldn't be surprised if it's a pair of thrust washers & one goes each side of the flat bearing.

The one on the right in your pic appears to be FTC125 which is pressed into the top ball hole of abs equipped vehicles - presumably for the flat roller bearing & it's thrust washers to go on top of? www.lrseries.com/FTC125-TOP-SWIVEL-PIN-HOUSING-BUS...
If yours had this has the flat roller broken up & caused the unadjustable slop?


Think your railco is FRC2916


There IS a similar upper bush for the defender, but it looks different (taller) to your pic: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392785056025 & the usual suspects only show it with kits for non-abs vehicles & what looks like a fibre thrust washer FRC2906 www.johnrichardssurplus.co.uk/railko-bush-thrust-w...

The abs one shows as TAR100050 but that has a taper roller bearing.

Appreciate it's all academic as you're changing anyway but it's trying to work out what you had!
Based on all the above I'm inclined to think your assemblies are late RRC/Disco 1 but it would be interesting (for me at least!) to see pics of exactly what you've got.

ETA I've just blown your bottom pic from the original post right up and looking at the lowest face to the right of & below the rusted seal retaining ring bolt it looks like there is something circular in the rust - could this be the sheared off remains of a drain plug?

Edited by paintman on Friday 26th November 14:44

[100SRV]

Thank you Paint man, this has been a PITA job mainly because I've been busy working shop only get to put a couple of hours in and usually when the parts factor is closed.

I rebuilt using 300TDi parts so I know what I have and it matches my other 'Rover.

I rebuilt the LHS this week, completely different arrangement on the top pin, this being a bush with a roller thrust bearing.

I'll post some photos, more for amusement.

All done now and eager to drive it again after a month with my sluggish station wagon :-)

[paintman]

Land Rover.
The ultimate Big Boy's Meccano kit

Look forward to seeing the pics,