Hello!
Was working on front brakes and discovered the front left hub was leaking. Took it all apart, cleaned it up, and am now trying to install the inner seal and have two questions.

1) which side of the seal goes into the hub? I assumed that if you can see the spring that side faces into the hub.

2) How do you get it into the hub? The seal is slightly oversized and when I try to press it in one "side" pops in and the other "side" pops out. I presume you don't just hammer it in.

Suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Strut seal just pops out and install a new one closed end facing inward.Don't drive it in too far,usually sets about 1/8" below flush with the strut casting. The hub seal MUST be pressed in open side up(with the garter spring) or you'll damage the seal.. I barely started the seal all around lightly tapping with a hammer. Placed a steel block or a plate over the seal and pressed it in flush. Slicker than snot that way..

 

Hi OPT,
My hub and seal look different and the seal is just a little too big to fit cleanly. There is no way the seal can be pushed in by hand.

As I said above the seal is small enough that one side will start cleanly but then the other side won't go.

Using a pneumatic press the seal starts to buckle slightly before going in so I stop.

Should the hub and seal be greased? I used oil but it didn't seem to help. Any other tips?

Thanks

 

Here's the pic

 

That's the strut seal you're holding.. The only difference between the older strut seal on yours (3610018 versus the newer 3610028) I really don't know.Possibly has to do with it being mechanical awd only and the strut is a little different.The hub seal(3610019) is Green and metal. Used on your model along with all the later ones.Both should have a small film of grease around the lips.

 

That explains everything!!! I screwed up thinking the strut seal was the hub seal. Got my parts mixed up.

Off to get a hub seal.

Thanks again!!!

 

Hey OPT,
Question, Are the inner and outer strut hub bearing packed with grease? Or does the hub fluid provide lubrication for all the front wheel/hub bearings?

I'm replacing all the bearings and seals in the wheel and strut hub because the hub had no fluid in it.

Thanks

 

Just lube the bearing with hub fluid.Manuals say grease the bearings but not needed. On filling the hub oil I just had the hole at 12'00 clock and put the fluid in turned the hub to 4'00 clock position to drain the excess fluid out. Doesn't hurt to have a little extra oil and turn the hub back up before it stops dripping.

 

Got it! Thanks again!

 

Sorry OPT, another question.

There is a collar (#5220883) that goes over the axle before it goes into the strut housing. The original owner did not install this part. But it looked like a good idea so i ordered one and have it now but don't know which way to put it in. One side of the collar is rounded and the other side is fairly flat.

Does the rounded side of the collar face the strut housing and seal?

Thx