Front wheel seals
#1
Front wheel seals
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
Your tips, tricks, comments, experiences and suggestions regarding the front wheel seals would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bobby
#2
The following users liked this post:
Don B (11-30-2020)
#3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pacific Northwest USA
Posts: 24,743
Received 10,757 Likes
on
7,101 Posts
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
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
The following 3 users liked this post by Doug:
#4
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Crossroads of America
Posts: 19,391
Received 12,737 Likes
on
6,379 Posts
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
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
Last edited by Don B; 12-01-2020 at 12:18 PM.
#5
#6
#7
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Crossroads of America
Posts: 19,391
Received 12,737 Likes
on
6,379 Posts
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)