Td5 - changing lower steering UJ

[Dry Rot]

Simple question that will probably get a quicker answer here.

As the header. I've got the replacement UJ but no bolts with it. This is a Bearmach BR 1632 NRC 7704. I am assuming this required simple high tensile hex headed part threaded bolts as I can find no thread inside the holes. M8 X 33mm?

The original UJs seem to take an external torx (Star) headed bolt that screws into a threaded hole in the UJ, so no nut? Priced around £2 each.

Why, oh, why don't the suppliers either include the bolts or provide some guide as to what sort and size are required? Definitely negative feedback from me and the UJ will be going back. Fortunately, I am not in a hurry but usually parts are needed reasonably urgently to replace stuff that has failed so this could have been a major source of annoyance. No wonder British industry is in such a poor way.

 

[Nearly]

@TripleSix
@roscoe erf

 

[roscoe erf]

discovery or defender

 

[Dry Rot]

discovery or defender

2005 Defender Td5 110

 

[Dry Rot]

@TripleSix
@roscoe erf

That's what I am grumbling about. They appear to be Chinese badged as Bearmach needing (my quote) "simple high tensile hex headed part threaded bolts as I can find no thread inside the holes. M8 X 33mm?".

The original ones on the LR are external star headed (i.e. need a torx socket) going into holes threaded on one end of the UJ only (no nuts).

Of course, stating that would be far too easy. You could then order the bolts at the same time and have them sent together with the UJs.

But why make things difficult when you can make them nigh on impossible? Bear in mind that I am in the Scottish Highlands and it isn't a matter of popping down to the corner shop to get parts but a 70 mile round trip into town if I choose not to use mail order.

 

[Nearly]

What happened to the old ones?

 

[roscoe erf]

they are just a bolt

 

[Dry Rot]

What happened to the old ones?

Still on the Land Rover! The UJ is an MOT advisory. The car was "rambling" a bit which had me thinking it was a slow puncture, then the MOT guy pin pointed out the problem. So a job that needs to be done but not urgent.

I found this diagram on an US site (duh!) which looks as if it might have come out of the manual. Note star bolts are number 8. No nuts on site so presumanly these bolts go into holes threaded on one sde of the UJ.

Edited to say, the Bearmach UJs have no threads in the holes -- nor any indication of what bolts are needed.

Looks like I'll have to find the manual. I'm still fuming!

 

[Nearly]

I ordered a track rod end and it arrived without a nut!
I hit the old nyloc with a punch and recycled it.
Everything made to save the last penny and no-one actually knows what's in the box until it arrives with final customer.
Do you want me to post you an assortment of m8 bolts?

 

[Dry Rot]

I ordered a track rod end and it arrived without a nut!
I hit the old nyloc with a punch and recycled it.
Everything made to save the last penny and no-one actually knows what's in the box until it arrives with final customer.
Do you want me to post you an assortment of m8 bolts?

That s very kind but I'm enjoying my rant at the moment!

Annoyingly, the two holes on the UJ (left and right) were not identical (measured with a vernier caliper) with about 0.5mm between them. Also, the UJ was fairly stiff, not sure whether that's good or bad but anything I've had for tractors etc. has always been very smooth and slick. I might have a word with the local LR agents next time I am in town.

So it seems there are two types of lower UJ with at least three variations in the bolts.

 

[TripleSix]

I tend to put a lot of genuine parts on our defender, or at least genuines from britpart, part number ends with a G.

When ours needed both climb UJs I bought a whole shaft.
I can't remember if it was new or a takeoff from a delivery mileage defender.
Having a local firm that chops about brand new landys is often helpful

 

[Dry Rot]

I tend to put a lot of genuine parts on our defender, or at least genuines from britpart, part number ends with a G.

When ours needed both climb UJs I bought a whole shaft.
I can't remember if it was new or a takeoff from a delivery mileage defender.
Having a local firm that chops about brand new landys is often helpful

Yes, I'd like to put genuine part in this LR as although a 2005 it is a good one, never uses any oil, and is relatively trouble free. I'd like to keep it that way. Salvage from a newish vehicle sounds like a good compromise.

 

[Sausage]

Salvage is fine, you’ve just got to be careful with subtle differences between models (td5, puma, etc.), could be number of splines, length whatever. Having said that minimal changes were made between the different models.

 

[Dry Rot]

Well, I have capitulated and kept the Chinese UJs. It looks like an M8 x 40 part threaded high tensile bolt with a Nyloc nut will do the job. It's possible to get the genuine Land Rover UJs complete with Torx bolts but at a much bigger price (of course). But as I'm 81 and don't have many driving years left, it will probably see me out.

It just annoys me that the dealers will supply an item with no warning that different bolts will be needed and (I think) a (6mm??) Torx socket required to take off the failed LR UJs. (I've bought a Torx set of sockets just to be sure I get the right size).Talk about dealers being bloody awkward!

 

[Nearly]

Well, I have capitulated and kept the Chinese UJs. It looks like an M8 x 40 part threaded high tensile bolt with a Nyloc nut will do the job. It's possible to get the genuine Land Rover UJs complete with Torx bolts but at a much bigger price (of course). But as I'm 81 and don't have many driving years left, it will probably see me out.

It just annoys me that the dealers will supply an item with no warning that different bolts will be needed and (I think) a (6mm??) Torx socket required to take off the failed LR UJs. Talk about being bloody awkward!

So you've reached your 8th decade and only just realised that dealers / manufacturers are selfish barstewards. Hmmm.

 

[TripleSix]

This was the one we fitted

Steering Column Shaft UJ Joint Defender 300TDi, Td5 & Tdci Puma 1997 to 2016 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Steering Column Shaft UJ Joint Defender 300TDi, Td5 & Tdci Puma 1997 to 2016 at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Dry Rot]

This was the one we fitted

Steering Column Shaft UJ Joint Defender 300TDi, Td5 & Tdci Puma 1997 to 2016 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Steering Column Shaft UJ Joint Defender 300TDi, Td5 & Tdci Puma 1997 to 2016 at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

It is only necessary to replace the worn parts which in my case are limited to the lower UJ. At least where the Land Rover is concerned!

 

[2wheels]

mann automotive laurencekirk. 01561378500. land rover specialists.