Sector Shaft Oil Seal

When installing the sector shaft oil seal do you have to put any kind of lubricant or seating compound on the gasket and/or casting or is the seal just popped into place dry?

 

I put gasket sealer on mine.

 

:iagree: It may not be necessary in all cases but I use sealer on all components of the box, cover, bearing retainer, preload shims and shaft seal. I have had good luck with Permatex High Tack Gasket Sealant ( item #765-1221 ) let it set a few minutes and get tacky. It cleans up easily with common lacquer thinner.

I wipe all metal surfaces with lacquer thinner ( except the seal ) to get rid of any oily residue first.

It will squeeze out from between the preload shims and not affect adjustment.

 

Any tips on how to get the new seal in without mangling it? Maybe I'm just not squeezing and pushing hard enough but it seems like it's too big. The old one was a real bear to get out because of the way that it's stuck in that little recess, so I'm thinking that it's just time to get that big hammer out. Any input is appreciated.

 

Okay, maybe the hammer isn't the answer. Upon further examination of the new seal it seems that there is a metal ring embedded into the rubber. I don't think that the old one had this. Has anyone else had this trouble?:?

 

It will take a moderate amount of force to seat the seal, Newer seals will not look like the originals and usually will have a colored sealant around the edge that will partially shear off when the seal is driven into place.

I drive mine in using a socket thats the same size as the seal and just fits inside the bore.

Sometimes it takes a considerable whack to get the seal to start into the bore but once started they drive right in.

 

I don't think that any amount of wacking will get this one in. Like I said in my previous post, there is an embedded metal ring in the that makes it impossible to squeeze into place. There is also no colored sealant like you describe, just the bare rubber. I wonder if maybe this seal was meant for a different box without a recess cast into it like mine does. I am thinking about maybe carefully cutting out the ring and seeing if that works. If not I'll just have to find the right seal.

 

I know the NAPA SKF8637 fits in my box, My old original seal was all rubber with a metal washer on the outer face. This metal face fit in the bore, The seal may be to big.