front ball joint gaiters/prop shaft UJ

[colin gray]

I rebuilt my IRS about 3 years ago and renewed the props shaft UJ's at the same time taking car to get genuine ones or so I thought.. The rear UJ now has a small amount of play and I am thinking of removing the prop shaft and replacing the UJ's or Prop shaft and wondered if anyone has done this without removing the IRS?

The other issue id that my front wishbone ball joint gaiters are severely cracked and its about the third or fourth time I will have replaced them in 10 years of ownership and it would have been an annual job had I not nursed them along a bit each time.
I was looking to get some genuine ones but I am confused about the extra plastic retainer I have seen mentioned and from memory I do not think my car has them already so, is this an aftermarket fix for the so called genuine £7 a pop gaiters masquerading to be genuine?
I just want to get it right and not be at it again next year or year after that.

Any advice greatly received including suppliers as S and G supplied the last ones and I was thinking of going to JLR classic factory parts.
cheers
Colin

[abowie]

I don't think you'll be able to get the prop shaft out without removing the IRS. You might be able to R&R the rear uni joint with the shaft in situ but to be honest it's going to be an annoying job.

If you haven't already, try the clear plastic gaiters rather than the black rubber ones.

[MarekH]

I replaced one of the half shaft U-joints by unbolting the lower control arm and the half shaft and removing the whole splined hub assembly with half shaft still attached to the workbench. It was then straightforward to press out the U-joint, replace and bolt it back onto the disc. If it is the U-joint inside the hub, then you may have a problem with access.

The prop shaft will only come out if you move either then engine or the IRS.

kind regards
Marek

[bitsobrits]

No need to remove the IRS...just remove the engine/gearbox instead

Seriously, the IRS needs to be removed. Which is probably easier than you might imagine, but still a real chore.

[colin gray]

Oh well looks like IRS out then! It is not too bad yet and grease may nurse it till it gets to 100K miles in around 3.5K I am looking to tidy up the bodywork then so will sort the prop then, unless I win big in which case it will go to a specialist
I was thinking the clear gaiters this time for the ball joints and wondered about the plastic collar folk have mentioned on other posts, I don't want to order them and not need them or need them and not have them so I am a bit confused as to if they are essential as I have not had to have them before?

Thanks for the info and replies

[mgcjag]

Hi Colin.....the clear plastic gaitets in my opinion are quite good.....you need to use them with the clear plastic ring insert.....if you dont use the ring the gaiter will be far too big.....its quite obvious once you have both parts in hand....i just use stainless lock wire around to hold the gaiter in place.....Steve

[colin gray]

Hi Steve, thanks for clearing that up I think I will call JLR classic parts to make sure I get everything I need to do all four.
Cheers
Colin

[colin gray]

Well that's all ordered from S and G as could not get on with JLR site.
Maybe I am out of touch but a bit over £60 with p n p for four gaiters and associated clips and retainers seems a bit steep but I hopefully wont have to see to it again for a while.
Will attend to the rest at the 100k refurb if I can nurse her along a bit