wheel bearing oil seals

[alfredo]

Hello, i am a little confused about which way the oil seals face in the front steering knuckle. according to my haynes manual the flat side should go up against the wheel bearing. the other side with the lip and recess faces out. this is shown for both inner and outer seals. that is how my brat is set up. my only concern is that in the wheel bearing replacement photo essay in the archives it shows the seals originally like that, but when replaced they appear to be orientated the other way with the smooth face facing out. the guys at my local auto parts store said that it should be done opposite of what my manual says. i replaced the bearings on my drivers side according to how they were when i took them out, which is with the smooth side against the bearing. does it really matter? thanks

[coxy]

My method as a mechanic is to always use bearings with rubber seals on both sides,this takes care of the bearing lube issues,then all you have to do is worry about dirt and water getting in.

If the concern is keeping something in the seal lip faces inwards,if to keep something out the seal lips face out.

Many of the better seals have a double lip on the inside to keep grease or oil from escaping and getting on the brake disks,and also have a single lip seal to keep crud from getting in,some variations use a flat sealing section on the outside,and it pays to remember 99% of seals have the seal numbering code on the outside of the seal.

Even something like a bearing hub with tapered bearings that you pack with grease will ocassionally use a flat face type seal and all seal lips must be assembled with a smear of grease or the seal will burn out and fail.

Cheers coxy

[GeneralDisorder]

The spring side always points toward the contained fluid for situations like wheel bearings, etc.

 

GD

[Frank B]

Hello, i am a little confused about which way the oil seals face in the front steering knuckle. according to my haynes manual the flat side should go up against the wheel bearing. the other side with the lip and recess faces out. this is shown for both inner and outer seals. that is how my brat is set up. my only concern is that in the wheel bearing replacement photo essay in the archives it shows the seals originally like that, but when replaced they appear to be orientated the other way with the smooth face facing out. the guys at my local auto parts store said that it should be done opposite of what my manual says. i replaced the bearings on my drivers side according to how they were when i took them out, which is with the smooth side against the bearing. does it really matter? thanks

 

They were that way in every Subaru I've had to replace the seals. I don't think they will go in with that long lip towards the bearing, I don't think there is enough room. With the inner seal, that long lip goes over the end of the axle. The original outer seals didn't have that lip.

 

Next time you replace the bearings, go with sealed ones as mentioned above. # 6207-2rs Pop out one of the seals, put some real grease in the bearing, grease the inside of the hub a bit, and install it with the remaining rubber seal facing out, towards the wheel seals.

Those bearings turn up super cheap on ebay.