8N Front Spindle Seal

hunkydory · Sep 14, 2021

Changing the front tires on my 1950 8N I found the hubs to be a little loose. Another opportunity to make things right.

Taking them apart I found these felt seals at the back of the spindles. <yellow arrow> They're about 1/2" thick.

The Master Parts Catalog does not mention them as a component of the front hub, or the spindle assembly.

Any clues which part this is?

Of note, the catalog does not list that thrust washer behind the seal. Is this a non-Ford solution?

shaun wallace · Sep 14, 2021

None of that stuff is supposed to be on there. Either use NCA 1190 B or 202784 dust seal.

Den N Ms · Sep 15, 2021

hunkydory, From your pic,it looks like the spindle where the seal rides is worn badly at the bottom.That might be the reason the felt is on there.

hunkydory · Sep 15, 2021

Thanks for your responses and insight.

I learned long ago, "The more you look the more you see." I have an unfortunate nature of looking. :lol:

This appears to be an example of "getting by on the cheap." The spindle itself is worn, but not that badly considering its age. Based on the fit of the inner bearing's inner cage it is still serviceable.

The inner bearing fell apart when I removed it. That felt piece is a kludge for the cheap <blocked by YT> that put it back together. It [b:8b15bde914][i:8b15bde914]almost [/i:8b15bde914][/b:8b15bde914]fits within the ring of the "dust seal".

And there's a ring of wear on the spindle's shoulder that matches rear of the inner bearing inner cage. YAY! We'll see how well the new bearing butts up.

Can't wait to take the other one apart....

Witness!

The "dust seal":

Inner cage of the inner bearing:

[b:8b15bde914]Don't be that guy! Do it correctly, or don't do it at all.[/b:8b15bde914] </soapbox/ 8)

Ken(Ark) · Sep 15, 2021

Late 30's to mid 40's Ford cars and trucks had a spindle the same size and the hubs would interchange . I assume the auto hubs had seals to keep the grease in at higher speeds where tractors has seals to keep the dust out . Just a guess . Someone may have used parts at hand or thought it would be better that way ? Pretty sure I remember looking at one of my tractors ( 1 w/truck & 1 w/car hubs ) and there was a good 1/8" gap where the tractor dust seal would be touching the spindle .

Dean · Sep 16, 2021

Looks to be OEM style dust seals.

Designed to keep dirt out, not grease in.

Dean

hunkydory · Sep 16, 2021

New parts came today. I'll fit everything up and see how it looks.

The other side had what looks like the original dust seal. Old enough that the rubber separated from the ring. No one has been in these hubs for a very long time.

I'm not keen on a seal that will "keep dirt out not grease in". Grease should stay where you put it.

Is there a better solution? The Operator's Manual says to repack the bearings every 600 hours. Does that seal keep enough grease in to keep them lubricated?

Ken(Ark) · Sep 16, 2021

Is there a better solution? The Operator's Manual says to repack the bearings every 600 hours. Does that seal keep enough grease in to keep them lubricated?

The seal works to keep the grease in if you stay below 55 mph . This site sells the hub caps that have a grease zerk listed for the later models . 957E1139 Front Hub Cap for Ford 8N NAA DEXTA 500 600 700 800 900 2000 3000 4000+ or look on ebay .

I give them a couple pumps when I hit the tie rod ends etc about every 10 hours . Packing the bearing is all you need but I like the extra grease just because I can .

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-3000_Hub-Cap-with-hole-for-grease-fitting_957E1139.html

hunkydory · Sep 17, 2021

The seal works to keep the grease in if you stay below 55 mph .

Thanks Ken! I had to laugh out loud at the 55mph. I don't think that will be a consideration. :lol:

The 'ol girl should be happy with fresh bearings and good grease. The bearings appear to be originals, or close to them. Lots of wear.

Having a loader on there probably hasn't helped. We won't talk about the front tires - it's amazing they didn't pop.

8N Front Spindle Seal

hunkydory

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shaun wallace

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Den N Ms

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hunkydory

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Ken(Ark)

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Dean

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Ken(Ark)

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