vulcan bomber Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 I'm about to replace bearings and seals in my swivels. The balls are Teflon and the working area of them is absolutely fine. However there is a bit if rust showing where the Swivel accumulates some road going crud over time. So while it's all apart is there any worth in putting gaiters on the swivels? If so, what have you fitted? Are they any good? Easy to fit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 Never bothered with gaiters on my swivels, just wipe the dirt off once a month, gaiters will split over time & just hold any moisture & dirt in, leather ones here https://www.paddockspares.com/276954-swivel-houing-gaiter-kit-leather.html https://www.johnrichardssurplus.co.uk/land-rover-swivel-gaiter-kit-rtc3826.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 I tried leather gaiters on my S1, first they filled with mud and water, then they got caught in the lock stop and cut a hole. Finally you cannot look at the ball to check it's condition so I took them off. Interestingly my S1 has been kept in a condensation dripping container for the last 14 years and whilst newly fitted bolts have rusted in weeks my swivel balls are perfect though a bit sweaty. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfry Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 Agree with the others. They end up filled with crud and dont allow your balls (no sniggering at the back) to dry off. Only make the corrosion aspect worse IMO Only benefit will be the small protection from physical damage while off roading. Until they are torn off. Just wipe them off now and again and apply your favourite anti corrosion squirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 I put some of the rubber type on at the end of 2019 to "try" - what a big to install and by middle of 2020 they had split open. don't even go near them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paime Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 I tried to fit the Br*tpart ones and found it impossible. The swivel-axle bolts wouldn't fit after the gaitor was on and the rubber was too stiff to work with. A complete waste of time and money quite frankly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 On 7/24/2021 at 11:30 AM, missingsid said: I tried leather gaiters on my S1, first they filled with mud and water, then they got caught in the lock stop and cut a hole. Finally you cannot look at the ball to check it's condition so I took them off. Interestingly my S1 has been kept in a condensation dripping container for the last 14 years and whilst newly fitted bolts have rusted in weeks my swivel balls are perfect though a bit sweaty. Had a very similar experience on my 109 - came home from a site day and the gaiters were filled with silt and one had pinched and split. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted July 27, 2021 Author Share Posted July 27, 2021 Thank you Gents, you've about confirmed my original thoughts on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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