Ques. on wheel bearing seals

[Dee2]

'90 Loyale Sedan FWD

 

Normally seals can only be installed one direction and to a controlled depth because of a flange on the seal.

 

The wheel bearing seals I got can go on in either direction and the depth is not controlled by any flange. I didn't make note of the old ones when I took them off.

 

Can anyone tell me the direction and depth of the seals when installed ?

 

Inner Seal

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The inner seal has an extended lip. I assume this goes toward the engine/axle joint ?

 

Outer seal

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The outer seal has an exposed retainer spring, I assume this faces toward the bearing ?

 

For depth, do these go in until flush with the bearing or just until the top edge is flush with the housing of the knuckle ?

 

thanks

Edited August 14, 2012 by Dee2

[Dee2]

After some research and dealings with the auto parts store I think I have this figured out. There are two type of seals, this is where I was getting confused.

 

Apparently, some where in time, the vendors started substituting single type seals for double type seals. So when you ask for an inner and outer seal you may get one double and one single, as I did, instead of 2 double type seals which is what was expected to match the original equipment (OE).

 

The OE seals, are the double seals, meaning they have a protruding lip on one side and the other side is flat and should look similar to this:

 

 

These are installed with the flat side flush to the bearing so the lip is facing out.

 

The single type of seals which have no lip and, typically, an exposed retainer spring on one side and the other side is flat and should look like this:

 

 

These are installed with the flat side away from the bearing (spring side towards the bearing) and the flat face is flush to the housing.

 

The double type seals are still around but you have to specify you want them and may require some lead time to get them into the store. These are definitely the better seals.

 

If you already use sealed bearings, you may be just fine using the single type seals. Expanded use of sealed bearings may be the reason vendors are moving away from the double type seals.

 

This is my best understanding and hope it helps.

 

 

 

Another discussion on this was found here:

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=108400