Wrenching skill level challenge

"R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet" (r-saldana)
06/16/2015 at 11:21 • Filed to: None

Soooo, I am having a full routine high mileage service conducted today on my Disco while having my brakes replaced (rotors, fluid, pads, and new stainless brake lines). Unfortunately, they won’t install my new HD steering rods or my u-joint rear driveshaft conversion. I had already planned on doing my own lift as it is pretty simple shocks and springs swapping, which I have done before when going from airbags to springs all around in 2013.

So I put it to you Oppo, what do I need and how competent do I need to be to replace my steering rods and rear driveshaft?

(This includes tools and skills)

Edit: Because I have not been clear enough “apparently”. What specialty tools do I need, that I would not already have in a decent tool kit?

Primarily this is directed towards TheBloody, hammerheadfistpunch, and 4muddyfeet.

DISCUSSION (6)

crowmolly > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/16/2015 at 12:05

I believe you will have to swap over the pinion yoke, and that will unload the pinion bearing. Similar to what happens when you change a pinion seal. Actually, it’s basically the same thing. You will need a beam style torque wrench and a way to stop the pinion yoke from spinning.

Steering rod replacement looks straightforward, just like a tie rod replacement on a muscle car. You will need a pickle fork of adequate size and a BFH.

Disclaimer: I am not a land rover guy so some things might be off. But seems like nothing is that LR specific.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/16/2015 at 12:35

The drive shaft is stupid easy Atlantic British has a the tool you need for that. Installing the HD stearing is also pretty striaght forward. Here are some videos that are betting at explaining it than I would. In terms of tools for that, a pickel fork and a big fucking hammer (watch your fingers) are the main tools needed.

HammerheadFistpunch > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/16/2015 at 18:41

rear shaft? is it just a direct replacement? should just be a bolt on affair. As for rods, pickle forks and such like Crowmolly said.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > HammerheadFistpunch
06/16/2015 at 22:57

It’s a u-joint replacement for a rotoflex. it’s a bit more indepth than I actually thought originally, out of fear of screwing something up I am likely going to take it in to have it done, as well as the steering bars so that I can also get them re-aligned.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/17/2015 at 05:41

I agree with crowmolly. Your steering rods are a fairly simple affair, and with a pickle fork and torque wrench you should be able to do all you need to. Do you just have the steering rods, or the full drag link assembly and damper? If you do it will be better to pre-build and just bolt it straight up in there. Ramblin Rover may offer better insight than I can on your U-joint setup, but I can’t imagine there’s any special tools required. If it doesn’t need Whitworth or ridiculous imperial fitments (it doesn’t), don’t worry about it!

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
06/17/2015 at 09:18

I am doing the drag link as well, I was thinking I may be able to repurpose one of the standard shocks as a new steering damper when I replace the springs and shocks with my TF kit.

I have decided that since it will need an alignment afterward anyway it is smarter to go ahead and have it done professionally. And while I grasp the theoretical concept of replacing a rotoflex for a u-joint and flange assembly, this is about 3 steps above my knowledge and ability level. I want this stuff done but I also don;t want to tear things up in the process of getting it done. But I will still be installing the springs and shocks myself.