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CJs110

Member Since: 06 Sep 2023
Location: Windsor
Posts: 25

Swivel Pin Preload / Shims

So working my way through the possible causes of death wobble (panhard rod bushes now sorted lol).

Next on the hit list was swivel pin preload.

Found a post on another forum, super informative. Tie rods off, fish scale used to measure - target range of 12-14lbs of force.

Off the bat, both side basically flopped side to side. Like 2lbs of force needed to move from stop to stop literally no resistance. Started with RHS first, there were 4 shims, dropped down to 2 and when tightened and torqued up I hit the target of 14lbs of force on the scale to move that knuckle stop to stop. Great!

Then got to the LHS (driver for me LHD) - remove the swivel pin and guess what only 2 shims to begin with. Removed 1, not enough. Removed both and its now just the pin directly to the housing, torqued up and I get between 8 and 10lbs of force needed to move from stop to stop. Where do I go from here? There aren't any more shims to remove!

Another point to note, I bought new shims/pins but I could not use the new pins as my ABS sensor got stuck only halfway in. Chalking it up to cheap parts.

Vehicle still on stands, doing a brake service before I go test it out. But I can already tell the steering feels tighter even though I wasn't able to reach that 12-14lb window on the LHS.

28th Jul 2025 8:24pm

MarkBrown

Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 553

1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green

Personally I’d say the left one will be tight enough. If I remember mine ( older 110) are set at 4.5 kg, once the initial stiction is overcome. 1983 110 automatic OM606

28th Jul 2025 9:05pm

Dinnu

Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3590

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black

Which axle do you have? The earlier Railko bushes have more preload than the later taper/roller bearing at the top. Your figures suggest you have the Railko. Note that preloads are stated without swivel seals.

Edit. I realize that you posted in the Td5 section, so if original axle, would be a taper roller bearing. I think your preload values are quite high. Dont remember the values, and no WSM at hand but also sure there have been many threads on this forum about preload values. Perhaps a search can get more info. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

28th Jul 2025 9:19pm

donmacn

Member Since: 07 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1896

I’m not so good with Lbs vs Nm..!

As you probably know, to do this properly you also need the swivel seal removed. I’ve seen figures quoted for doing the preload with the seals still in place, but it’s a bit of guesswork.

If you’re having issues, you might want to think about taking the seals off? Messy and unpleasant, with lots of cleaning up involved - but you’d be “doing it right”.

On the question of low values, even with no shims, I wonder if you might have issues with an out of spec or worn swivel bearing?

Edit: Just after I read this thread, and posted, I found something else that might be directly relevant.

It's towards the bottom of this thread on another forum (hoping it's OK to link to this Martin?) https://lr4x4.com/topic/118680-worn-swivel...nt-1112239

In particular Retro says: "Yes the top pin forms the inner race of the bearing on Td5 onwards. Allows for ABS sensor on vehicles equipped as such."

I think I have a Td5 axle casing, but Tdi axle ends... (so what do I know!?)... but I hadn't realised that on the later axles the top swivel bearing acts directly on the pin. In which case, if you're trying to set your preload with the old pin and bearing, I reckon wear in both of these could be why you're not getting enough resistance? Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...

29th Jul 2025 8:31am

Johan_B

Member Since: 20 Sep 2024
Location: Gothenburg
Posts: 117

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green

I did one of mine last year (Puma 2007) and if I remember correctly the target was around 1,45kg with a fish scale. IF my memory is right AND we have the same type of axle, then your values seem to be high, even on the left side.
I found it really tricky to get a good reading. First you need to overcome the initial resistance (which will produce a higher value), then you need to pull with constant speed while keeping the scale perpendicular to the swivel arm and reading the value.
With your chassis id you should be able to see what axle type you have unless modifications have been made.

29th Jul 2025 10:38am

4RF RDS

Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 981

2000 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Epsom Green

I believe one is supposed to remove the swivel seal to set the preload BTW.

Good luck. 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

29th Jul 2025 5:26pm

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