What did you do to your Rover today?

[westcoastkevin]

How much for the bearings? I replaced the bearings in the front end of my Dodge with Timkens awhile ago and they were not cheap.

Rick

Right around $240.00 plus $15 for the shims and pinion oil seal. Not too bad for 8 full Timken bearing sets.

You did not even see the other pile where I have new railco conversion kits, all 8 bearings and 6 seals for the front axle ends. As soon as I get the pins pressed in, I will get it back together with 100% new bearings/seals end to end.

[ThorH]

What are the railco conversion kits?

[westcoastkevin]

What are the railco conversion kits?

On the series ones like I have, (with very early ones being an exception) the steering damping and preload for the swivel balls is maintained using a cone and spring arrangement. The spring pushes the cone into the bronze cup and that provides the preload and also provides some steering damping.

When the one ton model came out, the railco bushes were introduced (mainly to deal with the weight of the front end), but it is common to retrofit them as the parts for the earlier setup are harder to source and pretty expensive if you can find them at all. I originally wanted to keep the cone and spring setup but the cost of the bits was just silly.

The conversion consists of pressing out the splined pins from the steering arms and replacing them with pins (pins not in the picture) that fit in the railco bushes which you can see at the lower right. The result should be a light responsive steering. (well....not counting the steering box which is another kettle of fish.)

It is worth noting that the steering arms are fitted to the top of the swivel housings in the series ones with the normal taper roller bearing below.

[ThorH]

Thanks for the info!

[Skookumchuck]

Filled the back full of Birch and Larch (Tamarack for you eastern types) firewood drove around in the snow and then built up a big fire in the stove to keep the house nice and toastey. Later today I will get the plow on to clear the driveway. The best part is I get to write off all the Rover expenses to the buisness

[westcoastkevin]

Today I got a call from my camshaft shop telling me that my regrind is done and it is on the way back. ...... one day closer.

[73series88]

picked up some used defender doors today for an absolute steal.
started fitting them. have to finish drilling the new door catch holes.
bottom one lined up so its just one hole.
someone tried to sand blast them so the skins are warped. thats fine with me. should cut down on alot of breeze and water coming through. plus roll down windows.
aaron

[slorocco]

Pulled the right front axle shaft to see what the problem was. Clean break down near the diff. Hope I can get the stub out. Otherwise I might have to drop the diff to get it out. I've got to drop the front diff cover and see what I can see from inside.

[SafeAirOne]

I've got to drop the front diff cover and see what I can see from inside.

Front diff cover? To my (limited) knowledge, the (rare) front differentials that have covers generally aren't the type that break axles (Salisbury front axles).

[cedryck]

broken stubby

usually a good idea to remove differential after breaking an axle. check for bits of metal, easier way to remove broken piece, and inspect for other collateral damage oh and check the oil for bits as well and of course new 90w when refitting.

[slorocco]

Front diff cover? To my (limited) knowledge, the (rare) front differentials that have covers generally aren't the type that break axles (Salisbury front axles).

Yup, Series 1Ton Salisbury front axle. I was hoping it would be unbreakable. Unfortunately, in the past year I've broken two left side CV joints and one right side axle shaft.

Ordinarily I wouldn't complain too much but the problem is that the CVs and swivel stuff all map back to Stage1 part numbers and therefore are very hard to find and extremely expensive when you do find them.

[slorocco]

usually a good idea to remove differential after breaking an axle. check for bits of metal, easier way to remove broken piece, and inspect for other collateral damage oh and check the oil for bits as well and of course new 90w when refitting.

Yup, I agree. Fortunately the break was real clean so I don't expect too much junk in the oil but will change it out anyway.

[siii8873]

well my intermittant gas gauge and poor memory left me stranded for a short time today. Could have swore I just filled the thing up.... NOT.
Luckily I was 3 miles from a friend who brought some over.

[o2batsea]

My parts just came from M&M 4x4. Yay.

[SafeAirOne]

Yup, Series 1Ton Salisbury front axle. I was hoping it would be unbreakable. Unfortunately, in the past year I've broken two left side CV joints and one right side axle shaft.