Budget vs premium swivel seal (BigJimny shop)

Amazing, thanks Martin! I think I'll opt for the OEM ones since my Jimny is predominantly a road vehicle with only occasional off-roading. Sounds like it's more justifiable to go cheap if you're burning through kingpin bearings because you're in the mud, off-road etc.

And yes @DrRobin, I've been through Martin's videos and they're really helpful. My only real concern is breaking off seized bolts - the job itself seems not too complicated (still the most mechanical thing I've done on a car though!). I'll get some bolt extractors & left hand drill bits before I start. Also hopefully leave the ABS bolts nicely greased for the future.

One final question - is the Maxima Waterproof Grease good for the CV joint too or do I need something else? I imagine so given it's popular and nobody mentions otherwise.

You don’t need left handed drills for the ABS bolt, it’s open at the back, so will just drop out of the rear. The seal bolts are blind, but all of mine came out, even if the heads were crudy.

I used the Maxima waterproof grease for the kingpins and the CV. Follow Martin’s advice and don’t overfill with grease.

A number of bolts were seized on mine, including the brake callipers bolts and the lower kingpin bearings, both needed a lot of encouragement to come out and the lower kingpin bolts needed a blow lamp. Then one of the lower kingpins was stuck and I had to turn it back and forth to get it out.

I helped another member near to me, his was much easier, but my advice is have some 6 sided sockets, a long socket bar and when that doesn’t work a lump hammer.

Robin

Forgot, I had to drill out two of the steering split pins as they were ceased in place so ordered a small pack of those.

Robin