axle seals

[roddyb34]

I hate to ask a silly question but i am about to assemble the rear end for the last time ,which way do the axle seals go in ,

 

[jw hash]

with the lip towards the oil, so when you are putting them in the axle housing the lip or what you would call the back side of the seal is facing you.

 

[Tom Endy]

This is an age old question. One of the how to books says to install them such that the tapered side of the seal faces the lubricant. Which lubricant? The oil in the banjo or the grease in the wheel bearing? The seal is actually a grease seal, its purpose is to keep the grease up against the wheel bearing and force it in that direction when you pump grease in through the grease fitting.

The original seals were made of leather and it made sense to install them so that the leather did not fold over on its self during insertion. The current rubber seals have a taper on both sides which adds further confusion. When I install them in the axle housing I put them on the insertion tool so that the metal seam is against the flat side of the tool. I am of the opinion the seal will do its job installed either way.

Tom Endy

 

[Jim Parker Toronto]

Yes, Tom is correct, they are grease seals, not oil seals.I doubt that the oil goes that far away from the banjo unless you overfill it. On the other hand, the grease from the wheel bearing could migrate into the axle shaft if over greased.

 

[Scott H]

This side of the seal has a spring under the lip. I would assume this is the side that needs to face the grease in the hub.


This side is tapered, which would allow the axle shaft to slide thru easier as you insert the axle from the center section towards the wheel. I would assume this side faces the oil in the differential.


Is this correct?

 

[Aerocraft]

Scott: You are correct. Gar Williams

 

[Scott H]

Thanks Gar, and a shout-out to Naperville!