Removing Inner Seal Without Damaging

[waterbill]

I have Bearing Buddies and use Spindo Seals. I do not dunk the hubs at the ramp. It's been a few years since I installed the bearings, and that's when I packed them thoroughly. Every year since, I've only repacked the outer bearing because I don't want to wreck the inner seal trying to remove it. Question 1: Do I need to take them all apart and repack? 2: If I use the slide hammer method of getting the seal off(taking off the outer bearing and reinstalling the nut then pulling the wheel), will the specially-sized Spindo Seal be ok to use again after repacking? It's not that I'm too cheap to buy a new seal set; there are just no retailers in my area that carry them. When I rotate the wheels, there is no rumbling sound, and on long trips, the hubs are cool to the touch. Any good advice will be appreciated, thank you.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Removing Inner Seal Without Damaging

Do the bearing buddys not allow grease to enter the hub and reach the inner bearing? I always thought they did but now that I think about it maybe not unless you were to loosen up the spidle nut so the bearing was sloppy in the race then replace the buddy and pump till grease oozes from the rear seal then adjust everything back up again.
It's been my experience that once the seal is pressed in the hub you cannot re-use it mainly because it almost impossible to remove it without damage.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing Inner Seal Without Damaging

It's not that I'm too cheap to buy a new seal set; there are just no retailers in my area that carry them.

Ayuh,...

I learned about 40 years ago,...

Pull a Wheel,.... Change the Seal.....

Regardless of the Brand...

 

[john from md]

Re: Removing Inner Seal Without Damaging

Seals are cheap. A bearing failure on the highway is not. You can get seals from several places on the net. Don't underestimate how important these seals are. If you ever saw a boat axel come off at 65 MPH, you would never question changing them again.

Regards,

John

 

[Randybeall]

Re: Removing Inner Seal Without Damaging

It sounds like you have been lucky so far. Order the seals on line pull the hubs, clean them throughly, clean the bearings and repack with fresh grease and seals. Cheap insurance, now that you have talked about it in public your luck will run out very soon.

 

[Pascal]

Re: Removing Inner Seal Without Damaging

I prefer to change out the spindle seals with new ones. That said, it is possible for me to mess up on the install of the new seals and then I am in trouble so I try and save the old seal whenever possible.

In order to do that:

1. remove the spindle nut, washer and outer bearing cone.

2. Reinstall the spindle nut full thread deep on the spindle and align one of the corners straight up.

3. If the nut will slide though the outer bearing cup in the hub your are ready for the next step.

4. Start with the nut just inside the hub/outer bearing race and slide the hub rapidly and with a firm grip so that the corner of the nut catches on the ID of the inner wheel bearing cone. Push firmly down on the hub against the spindle when you do this.

Most of the time I have found that the seal and bearing are left hanging on the spindle after the first stroke. Sometimes it takes an extra one or two.

I have had applications where the inner bearing cone will slip right through the seal and a few that have a super tight seal grip in the hub that wreck the seal. Most of the time I'll be able to save the seal from at least one hub if not both.

When I'm done, I check the parts tub I keep for that vehicle to see if I've saved any other old seals, compare the condition and throw out the worst one. That way I always have a spare if I need it and can't get one on short/no notice.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Removing Inner Seal Without Damaging

I prefer to change out the spindle seals with new ones. That said, it is possible for me to mess up on the install of the new seals and then I am in trouble so I try and save the old seal whenever possible.

In order to do that:

1. remove the spindle nut, washer and outer bearing cone.

2. Reinstall the spindle nut full thread deep on the spindle and align one of the corners straight up.

3. If the nut will slide though the outer bearing cup in the hub your are ready for the next step.

4. Start with the nut just inside the hub/outer bearing race and slide the hub rapidly and with a firm grip so that the corner of the nut catches on the ID of the inner wheel bearing cone. Push firmly down on the hub against the spindle when you do this.

Most of the time I have found that the seal and bearing are left hanging on the spindle after the first stroke. Sometimes it takes an extra one or two.

I have had applications where the inner bearing cone will slip right through the seal and a few that have a super tight seal grip in the hub that wreck the seal. Most of the time I'll be able to save the seal from at least one hub if not both.

When I'm done, I check the parts tub I keep for that vehicle to see if I've saved any other old seals, compare the condition and throw out the worst one. That way I always have a spare if I need it and can't get one on short/no notice.

Thanks for the tip... I too need to replace inner bearings and seal and was dreading the process. This has been great information!!