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Timcat



Member Since: 20 Jul 2016
Location: Tanzania at the moment
Posts: 1005

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
Sumo bars & drop arm conversion.
Took the 110 (2.2 Puma) to have the tracking done & the ball joints / bars were solid! So rather than cremate them and try to get them moving I’ve took the plunge and gone stainless HD Sumo bars with drop arm conversion with grease able ball joints from Glyn Lewis ( we live in the truck for months at a time travelling) so it gets the best if something needs doing.
After reading all the paper work it seems quite straight forward ( if the oem drop arm & ball joints come apart that is) Question is has anyone done this & is there an easier method of doing this and any do’s & dont’s To concider? I’m not a mechanic but work hands on ( builder) Thanks in advance..
Post #760338 23rd Feb 2019 12:32pm
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Roy5695



Member Since: 15 Feb 2014
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 1123

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Indus Silver
Recently did this on mine. They are brilliant. I’d start soaking the drop arm securing nut in penetrating fluid.

You’ll also need a good puller to get it off too. I have the laser one I used to do mine. PM me if you’re interested in it 👍 2011 Defender DCPU 2.2 - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic30623.html

Instagram - @r22oyp

Roy
Post #760384 23rd Feb 2019 6:14pm
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hank



Member Since: 12 Sep 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2224

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Get the disc cutter out


Click image to enlarge
 > 110 XS Double Cab
> Instagram @simonlanemind
Post #760388 23rd Feb 2019 6:26pm
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2545

Scotland 
Sumo bars are a good upgrade.

Not sure I see the point of the drop arm conversion though for a normal vehicle. Maybe for a competition car which is wearing them out quickly.
Post #760394 23rd Feb 2019 6:38pm
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Timcat



Member Since: 20 Jul 2016
Location: Tanzania at the moment
Posts: 1005

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
I know what your saying but for £50 pounds extra it covers everything & I’ve been told the replacement parts should it go in the future aren’t up to the original ones.
Post #760403 23rd Feb 2019 7:09pm
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grafty99



Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4784

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
I did the disco drop arm conversion when upgrading to sumobars.

Far, far easier to change the ball joint. Even if I only have to change it once it'll be worth the extra.

I hate the Swan neck ball joints Rolling with laughter 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton
Post #760410 23rd Feb 2019 7:39pm
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2545

Scotland 
No issues with genuine ball joints to my knowledge, though generally poor parts quality is an issue for everything eventually.

Changing the drop-arm ball joint is an easy 20-min job with the correct tool. And no need to re-adjust the drag link, or have an adaptor to mount the steering damper.

Swings and roundabouts really.
Post #760430 23rd Feb 2019 8:18pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7682

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
i run the disco drop arm too with a TRE, its simpler to work on and easier to change a TRE than the std def drop arm ball joint in my experience. typically when the lip gets damaged on the std ball joint!

the only hard bit is getting the drop arm off the steering box.

you can measure the track rod length TRE centre to centre to give you a good starting point when fitting the new one. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #760435 23rd Feb 2019 8:24pm
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sako243



Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1185

Wales 1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
The correct toll for removing the drop arm is a work of art. Popped around to a friend who had one and simply tighten it up on the joint and then whack with a hammer and it comes flying off.

Recently converted mine to a Gwyn Lewis drop arm (300Tdi 110) and it transformed the vehicle but that was largely because the other arm was loose. I got fed up of swapping ball joints, kept destroying gaiters off road and the lips would wear out meaning they kept popping off then.

Unfortunately only been on a couple of months and snapped two cranks so its off the road again so can't comment beyond that. Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi
Post #760451 23rd Feb 2019 9:23pm
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Roy5695



Member Since: 15 Feb 2014
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 1123

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Indus Silver
Video of the tool doing the job. Worked first time.

 2011 Defender DCPU 2.2 - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic30623.html

Instagram - @r22oyp

Roy
Post #760599 24th Feb 2019 7:40pm
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