A place for more technical discussions. Please make sure you post in the correct section on the site, this way it keeps the site tidy AND ensures you get a more relevant answer.
The MOT advisory states: nearside front swivel ball leaking.
That's ok then. All you need is a kingpin rebuild kit from Martin in the shop in the top banner. This is the two bearings that will have undoubtedly failed which in turn have caused the inner axle oil seal (included in the kit) to allow axle oil into the swivel which bypasses the outer dust seal. There's a full how to in the information section. You don't need to replace the axle or write off the car. The kit is cheap and the job can be done by a competent amateur in half a day.
Temeraire (2018 quasar grey automatic)
One of the last 200ish of the gen3s, probably.
ADOS Attention Deficit Ooooh Shiny!
I'll third the above.
I'll also add that any replacement axle is likely to need this work anyway. It's an easy job, get the parts from Martin (Big Jimny Shop) and follow his excellent "how to video".
Yokohama Geolanders, Sony head unit, NAUTILUS Air Horn, DRL conversion, Rear cargo space, Elvis Bobblehead, transfer Guard, Indian hanging Elephant, Koni Heavy track dampers, Custom SS exhaust, Voodoo Doll, Adventure Rack with LED ight bar, vintage ERIBA caravan usually attached (yes it's slow)
It's quite common for well-meaning mechanics to completely fill the inside of the swivel with grease, and in the absence of an adequate seal to retain it this will leak out. So as Roger says, first step is to clean it up and hope it stays clean for the MOT. I wouldn't rush to change kingpin bearings unless you get movement in the swivel or the characteristic wheel wobble.
And it certainly isn't in need of an axle replacement! On a Jimny a rusty swivel is a healthy swivel.
As Busta says, its very common where the Engineer is used to Land Rovers.
Old LandRovers required the Swivel Joint to be filled with oil. Suzuki requires them to be "dry" with only 100g of grease IN TOTAL.
When such an Engineer sees leaking oil they think the worst from their LandRover experience and expect to change the Chromed Balls like a Landrover. The Suzuki balls are built into the axle so they immediately suggest changing the axle.
Instead all it needs is a simple Kingpin Bearing change. The worn bearings are causing wobble in the driveshaft that is letting diff oil to leak past the small internal seal and then leak out onto the road.
Its a straight forward bearing change, less than 2 hours work for an Engineer (I can do both sides in an hour now I have practiced a lot!)
Martin
2003 M13 early KAP build.
3" Trailmaster lift with 1.5 Spacers on front
Customised winch bumper and roll cage
235/85R16 Maxxis Bighorns on 16" Rims, 4:1 Rocklobster, Rear ARB locker and on-board air
Corrected arms all-round, rear disks, Recaro seats and harnesses
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