jimconline Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 I can't remember when the right swivel pin housing started leaking on my 1996 Defender 110, but it has been years. The left one has remained dry; no leaks. Every time I service it I top it up with anywhere between 60mls and 80mls of EP90. The swivel itself is clean and smooth, no corrosion nor pitting. It does leave its drippings if it's been parked for awhile, but other than that I have no complaints. I do have all the parts for replacement but have not felt a need to do so. My question is whether I might be able to replace the EP90 with one shot grease, thinking that the grease, being thicker, may not leak out. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanuki Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 If there's a CV joint inside the swivel, I'd say go for it with the semi-fluid grease. Better to have grease in there than fill it with EP90 and have it all widdle itself away like an incontinent 90-year-old so the joint runs dry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Got grease in my 1989 110 swivels & added some shots of ep90 too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 EP90 in mine. I fixed them so they dont leak! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Personally, is stick with EP90.... EP90 is easy to drain out and replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkie Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 I used to have the grease in mine. When I replaced the swivel housings, it was the messiest job I have had to do. Everything was covered in grease. I wished at the time that I had oil in there which could be drained out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 I'm just rebuilding my front axle ends after 11 years and just shy of 80000 miles, I put 1 shot in originally and I'll be putting it in again. Yes it is a messy job, but if you do it right you really shouldn't be needing to go in there very often - my CV's where found it tip top condition - quite chuffed with it actually as the grease is obviously doing its job. If its leaking I'd say you have a problem with your seal or your swivel pre-load and would probably get it replaced/looked at at some point, changing to one shot will probably reduce your leak but it wont go away, one shot is pretty wet too its like some moly grease has been mixed into some EP80W90. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 IMO if you’re doing any kind of wading or dirty work then EP90. That way you can easily see when it’s leaking and therefore when water etc can get in. If it’s leaking There’s something wrong with the seal/ball/lower pin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Jim, I use one shot in mine. When I strip it the grease is stuck to everything, especially the cv joints. I view that as a good thing for 35 year CVs ☺ However if oil or grease can leak out then carp can get in so if your swivel is good then it's time to take the pain and change the seal for a quality replacement (I use Corteco). It's a Ballache of a job but straightforward enough. While you're in there, tap Landroversforever for a pair of his stainless steel swivel seal retainers. These don't rely on leaking oil to prevent corrosion 😉 HTH Mo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 If its just seals, pull the whole hub and halfshaft to change the seal. If the preload, pins and bearings needs an overhaul, it is more involved! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimconline Posted October 2, 2019 Author Share Posted October 2, 2019 Thank you all for your input. I do appreciate that I can't let this leak go on forever and, since I have a long overland project planned in the new year, I may take advantage of some quiet time this winter and do an overhaul. For now, I think I shall just leave the EP90 to do its job. I find it interesting that there are such mixed feelings about oil versus grease. When I do the overhaul I shall pack it with one shot and hope that I can forget about it for years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 You say "grease" once you've had a play with the stuff you'll understand, its more like watered down molyslip, its pretty wet just not quite as wet ar Ep90. I'm just finishing an axle end rebuild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 It's thixotropic grease it gets more in a liquid state as it warms up, then as it cools it sticks to everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 19 hours ago, jimconline said: Thank you all for your input. I do appreciate that I can't let this leak go on forever and, since I have a long overland project planned in the new year, I may take advantage of some quiet time this winter and do an overhaul. For now, I think I shall just leave the EP90 to do its job. I find it interesting that there are such mixed feelings about oil versus grease. When I do the overhaul I shall pack it with one shot and hope that I can forget about it for years to come. Do not pack it full of the STC3435 one shot grease a measured amount 370ml is all that's ts needed for each swivel housing. https://www.johnrichardssurplus.co.uk/swivel-housing-grease-stc3435.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 I use EP 140 in my swivels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 21 minutes ago, mmgemini said: I use EP 140 in my swivels Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 On 10/3/2019 at 3:19 PM, reb78 said: Why? Seems a reasonable alternative to 1-shot. Easier to drain for replacement, and less mess, but better resistance to leaks than EP90. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 On 10/3/2019 at 12:19 PM, reb78 said: Why? Doesn't leak as much as EP 90 and I think better than grease Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimconline Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 Agreed Western; packing it was not a good choice of verbs. Will use the 370mls if I go with 1-shot. I am reconsidering, however, after mmgemini's suggestion to use EP 140. Sounds like a wise alternative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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