Hi all. I has questions about the front wheel bearing seals. We purchased two new seals, each from a different supplier and got the same part. So far, so good. But they are reeeeeeealy tight fitting. They are a bit larger than the one we took off. I'm assuming the original has shrunk over time. But these new ones seem so tight that it makes it hard to judge setting the spindle nut against the bearing (smooth spin as opposed to binding). Here's what we bought:




Your tips, tricks, comments, experiences and suggestions regarding the front wheel seals would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bobby

 

I have never had TIGHT grease seals on front hubs, on any of my many Jags.

They simply "tap in" and thats it. They only retain grease, so not needed to be super critical.

CBC2858 is the Jag X300 Part Number, maybe across reference is needed.

 

Details have faded over the years but I had miserable experiences with hub seals on my X300/XJR. Destroyed several trying to install. Assuming I was getting incorrect seals I went so far as ordering Jaguar-boxed parts. No difference. I also eventually learned that, as per the Jaguar ROM, the seals are not intended to be tapped into to hubs but, rather, slid onto to spindle and then the hubs installed onto the spindles....although that process still leaves us with impossibly tight fitting seals. I recall that a piece of PVC pipe used as an installer tool was part of the process

After that misery I never replaced them again. I just reused them

Thinking back, using a file to slightly chamfer the hub would've probably worked

If your originals are still serviceable I'd just reuse them and choose another hill to die on

Cheers
DD

 

Hi Bobby,

It can help to put the new seals in the freezer for 30 minutes or more just before you are ready to install the hubs on the spindles. This slightly contracts the outer diameter of the steel core of the seal. Also, put a little grease on the spindle where the seal rides, and put a little grease in the hub where it fits onto the seal. Rotate the hub as you center it on the spindle and seal. If the hub just won't slip onto the seal, you can try installing the outer bearing, washer and axle nut and slowly tightening the nut with a ratchet as you rotate the hub by hand to keep it centered on the seal as you press the hub home with the axle nut.

P.S. Be sure to have the bearings and hub greased and ready to go so you don't have to remove the hub again after you've seated it on the seal.

Cheers,

Don

 

Thanks all. Great information. Does anybody know, when driving, is the seal supposed to spin with the hub or stay stationary on the spindle? Just curious.

Thanks!

Bobby

 

I'm guessing it stays put. I can't imagine that rubber part lasting for very long if it's supposed to spin against something.

 

I think Vee is right. The seal sits tight on the stub axle, and the hub rotates around the rubber seal.