1973 Muskeg MT73 wheel seal orientation

[Muskegmt73]

I am a bit confused regarding the wheel bearing seal orientation. Typically an automotive wheel seal will be installed with the 'lips' in and the metal face out. However, since grease is intended to be injected in the fitting on the screw-on hubcap, I am wondering if the lip should be installed facing out which would allow the injected grease to come out indicating a complete fill.

I have one side completely taken apart, including the tandem spindle assemblies. The spindles themselves have both a metal mud excluder and a rubber mud excluded. The rubber excluder is intended to contact the wheel bearing seal therefore keeping mud and water from entering the seal and bearing assembly.

Most of the seals are installed with the metal side out but there were a couple with the metal side inboard. This is why I am wondering which way is correct.

So, does anybody here know which way the seal is supposed to be installed?

Thanks
Muskegmt73

 

[J5 Bombardier]

I've heard guys talk about reversing the seal so grease goes out and water can't get in , Bombardier might have even said to do it on their SW48 due to salt getting past the seal. I put mine in the normal way ( metal face out ), you'd have to be pretty good to install that wheel with a reversed seal and not damage or knock the spring out even if you pack it with Vaseline ,but after it's installed you can't see it to know. Just my opinion . Post some pics of your Muskeg if you have a chance and welcome to the Forum.
J5 Bombardier

 

[Cidertom]

Several of the cats use reversed seals. J5 listed the reasons. There are dual lip seals, I don't know why they were not used in the OEM.

 

[Muskegmt73]

Has anyone found a source for the wheel grease seals? I need some. The ones I have removed are Garlock Klozure 63x1057

 

[Snowy Rivers]

I would recommend searching the various seal company sites and find a metal clad seal that is designed to be used with the lip such that the grease can come out.

My Thiokol 2100 has the hub seals that way.....

Here is a piccy of that seal.

Should be easy to find a seal in the size needed for your machine.

There is NOT a "Garter spring" on these seals either....

Looking at the piccy....RH side faces outward

Very easy to install too using a flat plate and a modest size hammer...Or a regular seal installer tool with a handle on it that is tapped with a hammer/mallet ...

Snow water is the softest water on the planet....as the wheel bearings warm up under operation they will expand the air in the grease cavity and after the machine is shut down the bearings cool the air inside the cavity cools and SUCKS IN WATER from the shush that will be around the area at times...

Having grease coming out will help stop this issue HELP is about it.

After the season shut down the tracks should be dropped and the bearings removed and cleaned/repacked with good MARINE type grease....Reassembled and the cavity filled until grease comes out the seal.

ITS NOT IF WATER WILL GET IT....IT WILL....And rust follows if the parts are allowed to sit idle....

Failed wheel bearings are just a fact of life if they are not maintained constantly (SEASONAL MAINTENANCE)

The seal is barely a stop to water......Once rust sets in....the bearing will go away...then the spindle.....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$....

 

[tommu56]

Has anyone found a source for the wheel grease seals? I need some. The ones I have removed are Garlock Klozure 63x1057

I use to be planner ordering and finding parts at work and got Klozure seals from

BDI in the pa area


BDI link


garlock page link

 

[J5 Bombardier]

I've been using DMR seals , single lip. The seal numbers in the pic are the main ones I use , but you'll have to size them as I seen at least 3 different O.D dia in wheels over the years.