SLROC Forum

Hi all,

I'm doing a swivel repair on my 97 Defender, but having trouble with the top rear kingpin bolt.
Access is hampered by the brake pipe, which is bracketed to the swivel housing - no chance to get a socket onto the bolthead.
I've tried various open/ring spanners, a blowtorch and a cold chisel, to no avail.

Running out of ideas now - short of hacksawing through the bracket, to get a socket on top of the bolt, then buying a new bracket FRC7201

Any advice is welcome

Get as much heat as you can into the swivel housing where the bolt screws in and throw some cold water over it, it works a treat. Use this method at work all the time

Does that bracket have bent up tage for anti rotation? Maybe that's why the socket won't fit on (just guessing)

Many thanks.


There's no tangs on the bracket itself. But the tabs holding the brake pipe & backplate are spot welded & raised - which makes it hard(er) to get flat purchase onto the bolthead


I'll give the hot'n'cold dowse a try. When it's warm enough to go back in the garage!