Fin Jim

Hi and welcome 
Just a little tip, make sure you can undue the fill plugs before you drop the oils 

Jack 

So here is controversial tip of the day...
I was out bow hunting couple of days ago. I left the keys on my other jackets pocket and locked the doors manually with the knobs. 🤦🏻 (no central locking)

After little googling I decided to try to the old stick trick
First I removed the broadhead from an arrow. Then I wedged a knife between window and the seal to make a little room and started pocking towards the lock with the arrow.
It was too easy! The locking knob jumped right up after couple of tries.
Just like in the movies.
 
Im not sure if the mechanism is improved on newer models but I do hope so.
I guess this trick works on most older cars.

Did the drivers side king pin bearings today. Got rid of the wobble! There is still just a barely noticeable wobble at certain speed so I will do the other side later.
I changed both bearings, the oil seal and the swivel seal.
Easy and satisfying job to do.
One part that many guides miss is the impotance of cleaning the old gritty grease.
 
That was the most time consuming part. Also when putting everything back together you would easily have some sand and dirt falling on your new and just greased, pristine bearings.😬 That was annoying! I might try to somehow place piece of cardboard above the assembly next time to avoid that.

The "ball' it self was showing some wear and I think it might prematurely wear the swivel seal. Has anyone had problems with this or even replaced them?
 


One feel good pic for the road.
 

As the ends are welded changing them is really a matter of the whole axle case. The more common alternative is to sand them smooth and paint them with a glass hard enamel like por15.

As long as the balls are sanded down to remove most of the rust and the rough edges and, the Ball is well greased, the seals will last long enough. they only need to keep the water out and the grease inside and there is no oil pressure like other lip seals.
Not a major problem but would need service more often when there is rust.
But I guess it will be more like every 30000km when rusted instead of every 100000km depending on how clean and well greased you keep it.

Paint like Lambert says may extend the 30000km to twice that.

Por15 takes time to do it I did mine nearly 5 years ago 
 

Will take a picture tomorrow of how they look now