Seal/Shaft ..... How tight is too tight?

Crazy Horse · Jan 19, 2015

Dealing with a rear axle shaft here on a Jeep but
with the expertise on this forum, I'm sure someone
will know an answer to my question.

I bought some replacement seals that seem to be
extremely tight, they are the correct seal # for
the application. Not having too much experience
with this, I'm wondering just how tight the fit
should be (or feel). It's a double-lipped
neoprene seal (one lip is smaller in diameter than
the other) and the shaft is about 1.85" in
diameter. Let's say for this 1.85" shaft, is
there any standard size(s) that the seal
diameter(s) should be (other than just smaller)?

JMS/.MN · Jan 19, 2015

Do they still feel tight when you use some lube? Is there a slight bulge on the end of the shaft that should be filed down? A slight chamfer would be an advantage for starting the seal.

Crazy Horse · Jan 19, 2015

Yes, still feels tight when lubed, at least to me it seems tight. That's the problem, I don't have much experience with this. There is a little bit of a chamfer on the spline end, the only way to get the seal on since it is a one-piece axle with a hub at the outer end.

ShadetreeRet · Jan 19, 2015

Most seals need to feel tight. If you notice, there is likely a spring circling the inside of the seal. This holds tension on the lip of the seal against the shaft. I have installed seals that seemed very tight, but had no failures. CAUTION: If you must slide the seal over splines, rotate the seal about an eighth to a quarter turn, clockwise and counterclockwise as you do so. Otherwise, the splines could possibly damage the edge of the seal. I am sure there is a "sleeve" available for this, but you may have to get it off a tool truck. Many auto supply stores carry more special tools than they used to, and some even lend tools. Just a thought.

Bob · Jan 19, 2015

What, specifically, is the vehicle?

What is the seal source/manufacturer/part number?

(Brand name like SKF/CR, Timken, or National) or generic from "the Land of Almost Right".)

Having that info will show if the seal is correct for the application, and having the seal part # will enable a lookup to see what shaft diameter it is intended for.

Don-Wi · Jan 19, 2015

To get it over the splines without damage, cut a pop bottle and use it as a sleeve over the end of the splines. I forgot that truck and I wrecked a seal while doing the brakes on our Oliver 1855. Learned it while doing the brakes on my 1600.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Russ from MN · Jan 19, 2015

I think he means a pop CAN, right! When I worked in the JD shop I was taught to wrap splines tightly with plastic electrical tape, and then grease it.

ShadetreeRet · Jan 19, 2015

Russ, you're right, that would work great. Thanks for the idea.

Don-Wi · Jan 19, 2015

I just got done drinking a coke in a bottle so I cut that up. Either way, something th help it over the splines, as add I think about it there was a square shoulder on the shaft I had to get it over. Either way, it worked and the leak is gone.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Don-Wi · Jan 19, 2015

I just got done drinking a coke in a bottle so I cut that up. Either way, something th help it over the splines, as add I think about it there was a square shoulder on the shaft I had to get it over. Either way, it worked and the leak is gone.

Donovan from Wisconsin

David G · Jan 19, 2015

I have slid them on the shaft with a piece of paper between shaft and seal.

Seal/Shaft ..... How tight is too tight?

Crazy Horse

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JMS/.MN

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Crazy Horse

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ShadetreeRet

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Bob

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Don-Wi

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Russ from MN

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ShadetreeRet

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Don-Wi

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Don-Wi

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David G

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