Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: PeterPortugal on July 14, 2020, 21:20:50

Title: Installing Front wheel bearing lip seal
Post by: PeterPortugal on July 14, 2020, 21:20:50

Guys,

The BBB recommends using a sealant when installing a front wheel bearing seal.

Lots of online resources say it is not necessary.

If anybody does use sealant do they have a particular brand they recommend?

Thanks

Peter

Title: Re: Installing Front wheel bearing lip seal
Post by: Benz Dr. on July 15, 2020, 05:20:15

I've never used sealant but I don't see why you couldn't.

Title: Re: Installing Front wheel bearing lip seal
Post by: wwheeler on July 15, 2020, 15:05:05

Makes a messy job messier. You wouldn't want it to mix with the grease or turn hard. There is an Aviation grade Permatex #3 that is thin and does not harden. That would be about the best I could come up with. This would be useful for all kinds of jobs on these cars. Especially the ones where there is no gasket and just a metal to metal fit.

Title: Re: Installing Front wheel bearing lip seal
Post by: stickandrudderman on July 15, 2020, 15:14:45

Not required on the outside but you should smear a little grease on the internal lip before assembly.

Title: Re: Installing Front wheel bearing lip seal
Post by: PeterPortugal on July 15, 2020, 15:20:12

Thanks guys, I am going with the general consensus of not required. Maybe machining tolerances have moved on considerably since the early 60's.

p.s. permatex non hardening was the name that cropped up when I trawled the net. This was mainly on US sites about trailer hubs. I think by trailer they mean the kind that you put a boat on and back into the water. That might explain it !

Title: Re: Installing Front wheel bearing lip seal
Post by: wwheeler on July 15, 2020, 22:33:45

To diverge slightly since you mentioned trailer hubs....

On the front grease caps, I have used Teflon tape to completely seal the cap from creating a grease film slime on the wheel and hub. I used 1/4" wide Teflon tape and carefully positioned the tape up near the flange of the cap on the OD. You want the tape to stay far away from the brim of the cup. Doing that will prevent strings of tape from getting into the wheel bearing/grease area as you install the cap. When pounding the cap on, the Teflon tape scrunches up and forms a nice little gasket between the hub and the flange of the cap.

No more grease slime!