Author Topic: sealant for pinion seal and solid rubber axle boot  (Read 1256 times)

merrill

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sealant for pinion seal and solid rubber axle boot
« on: June 13, 2019, 14:44:55 »
hello
i have been reading many of the posts and the rear axle bearing tour document in preparation of pulling the rear axle on my 66 230 to replace all of the bushings and seals.

What i have not clearly found is

1. should a sealant be used on the pinion seal when mounting it to the support arm?     if so is gasket shellac recommended?
2. should a sealant be used when installing the solid rubber axle boot?
                                            i have seen a post where pr 200 metal primer was used  (https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=27131.msg194644#msg194644)
                                            and read posts where the BBB does not recommend a sealer
                                            but most of the posts seem to recommend a sealant. 
                                            If a sealer is recommended would Permatex grey gasket maker be suitable?

thanks in advance
matt
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

ja17

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Re: sealant for pinion seal and solid rubber axle boot
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2019, 15:08:39 »
I use a bit of gasket shellac when the outside ring of the pinion seal is bare metal. If the outside of the seal has a soft material covering, I would not. With the soft outside covering a light oil might help for a smooth installation. With all double lip seals (front crankshaft seal), pack between the two lips with grease. In any case lube the inside of any seal or its rubbing surface with some grease or oil so you do not have a "dry" break-in upon first use. The solid axle boot is a soft rubber and seals fine as long as the correct size clamps are used. Some like to use a sealer on the seam of the split boot, although not recommended by BBB.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

merrill

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Re: sealant for pinion seal and solid rubber axle boot
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2019, 15:39:43 »
Thank you again Joe
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230