oil-seal position

Post by **markattard** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 1:45 pm

hi Could anyone please advice on the correct position of the oil seal in the rear wheel hub?

The old oil seal was found with the lip facing the wheel, but the Leyland workshop manual says it should be facing inwards, to complete the confusion the haynes manual says it should face the wheel......

Post by **brixtonmorris** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:32 pm

The spring in the oil seal should face to the side where the oil is.
sometimes they are fitted the other way around , or in a slightly different position, if there is wear on a shaft. Repositioning the oil seal, helps it to seal, as it does not run on the worn part of the shaft.

Post by **Willie** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:51 pm

Follow BRIXTONS advice, I think the confusion is because by 'inwards' they
mean the spring side should be facing the bearing, not inwards towards the
middle of the car!

Post by **markattard** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 1:15 am

iS IT TRUE THAT THE BEARING GETS LUBRICATED BY THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL ? AND THE OUTER O RING PREVENTs IT FROM GOING INTO THE DRUM?

In this case I think it makes sense that the lip should face away from the middle of the car....

Post by **Willie** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:20 am

YES to both questions but the outer O ring is used in conjuction with a paper
gasket. (The early rear hubs did not have the O ring).

Post by **davidr** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 12:22 pm

Hi

All oil seals of the lip type with or without a spring are designed to be fitted with the lip/spring facing the oil/pressure side. The flat face is always outwards.

This is enables the oil pressure to assist in holding the lip against the shaft.

In the case of the axle this means that when the half shaft is removed the flat face should be facing you. This also makes ir easier to fit using a piece of wood to tap into place. If the shaft is worn then a shim can be fitted under the seal to bring the lip away from the groove.

Hope this helps

davidr