Best Way to Seat New Seal

[bluedunn]

Hi-

What’s the best way to seat a new axle oil seal on a BX in the absence of a press? How do I get it to go in straight/squarely? Is there a grease or something to make the seating process easier?

Thanks for any help/advice!

 

[Pau7220]

Seals don't need to be pressed in. They do need to be installed squarely with a seal driver, socket, etc. Plate steel or wood block will work on some applications.

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[SidecarFlip]

Seals don't need to be pressed in. They do need to be installed squarely with a seal driver, socket, etc. Plate steel or wood block will work on some applications.

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Amazing deals on this 10Pc Bearing Race And Seal Driver Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

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+1. I've used sockets, wood blocks, seal drivers and chunks of steel plate depending on how large the seal is. I usually put Anaerobic sealant on the outer edge of the seal to insure it don't leak around the OD.

 

[whitetiger]

Hi-

What’s the best way to seat a new axle oil seal on a BX in the absence of a press? How do I get it to go in straight/squarely? Is there a grease or something to make the seating process easier?

Thanks for any help/advice!

Is it seal you are replacing on the front or rear axle?

If t's a front axle seal, you push it quite a ways in with your fingers, then use a socket or piece of plastic pipe and with a hammer gently tap it into place.

If it's a rear axle seal, you can push it about halfway or more by hand and gently tap it in the rest of the way with a hammer alternating sides each time you tap it. Anything that will fit over the wheel hub would be 6" bigger around than the seal.

 

[bluedunn]

Is it seal you are replacing on the front or rear axle?

If t's a front axle seal, you push it quite a ways in with your fingers, then use a socket or piece of plastic pipe and with a hammer gently tap it into place.

If it's a rear axle seal, you can push it about halfway or more by hand and gently tap it in the rest of the way with a hammer alternating sides each time you tap it. Anything that will fit over the wheel hub would be 6" bigger around than the seal.

It's the front axle oil seal/pivot seal. I've tried once to replace this and ended up at the dealership to have it done because I couldn't get the darn seal to drive in squarely. Well, it's leaking (very small amounts) again, so figure something is wrong and it's due for another replacement.

 

[bluedunn]

+1. I've used sockets, wood blocks, seal drivers and chunks of steel plate depending on how large the seal is. I usually put Anaerobic sealant on the outer edge of the seal to insure it don't leak around the OD.

Thanks for the info. Regarding the Anaerobic sealant; you're suggesting putting on the outside diameter of the oil seal, where it comes into contact with the axle housing? Do you have a brand/type that you have had decent luck with?

 

[SidecarFlip]

Yes, outside diameter where it contacts the bore. I use Detroit Diesel anaerobic sealant but I don't believe you can buy it. Locktite makes one and Kubota has one as well.

 

[whitetiger]

It's the front axle oil seal/pivot seal. I've tried once to replace this and ended up at the dealership to have it done because I couldn't get the darn seal to drive in squarely. Well, it's leaking (very small amounts) again, so figure something is wrong and it's due for another replacement.

So, what you are replacing is the knuckle pivot seal, not an axle shaft seal.

 

[bluedunn]

So, what you are replacing is the knuckle pivot seal, not an axle shaft seal.

Correct, not the axle shaft seal but the pivot seal.