Have I dropped a clanga

[zulublue]

I changed my pinion oil seal on the front diff today, easy job, took the old one out and reversed the process to put the new one in, although they are slightly different.

I later looked at diagram showing the breakdown of the fitting, it is showing the oil seal the other way around to how I have replaced it, I have put the flat part of the seal facing the prop, is this the right or wrong way? does it matter as long as it seals? I have not topped the diff oil up yet as I have to change the half shaft seals on Friday, so I dont' know if it leaks or not.

Anyone know the answer to this, diagram attached

[Rossko]

I think you dun right, i.e. have the flat side of the seal facing the world and the open, lipped side facing the oil.

I reckon in the diagram the part highlighted is the tin mudshield that goes outside of the seal proper; it may be that you haven't got one of those ... are they present only on some front diffs perhaps?

cheers, Ross

[zulublue]

Cheers Ross, the local £x4 garage have daid it is right also, no tin on the outside, just hope it works now, on the old seal there were 2 circular metal spring retainers, on the new one there is only one, hope its the correct part :?

[AbyssDJ]

probably ok. i think i put the seal on  the wrong way around when i did one of our wheel bearings too... only realised after id put the bloody thing back together.

seems ok though, touch wood - except the damn bearing keeps coming loose needs a new lockwasher

[blackbob]

the seals fit with the flat part outer
the pic in the diagam is a tin plate dust cover

[Difflock]

Flat side always face's out,lip with spring behind it always faces what your trying to stop leaking  :D  :D

Also,when replacing seals try and get the ones that have a small wiper lip on the front face as these help to stop crap getting jammed between the seal lip and the shaft

P.S any numbers on the front face can be used to order the seal from any good engineering supplies shop ie 20-35-8

20 would be the shaft diameter in mm's

35 would be the seals outside diameter in mm's

8 would be its thickness in mm's

English sizes are usually refered to in decimals,250 would be 1/4, 750 would be 3/4 etc

[Range Rover Blues]

If the rubber lip makes a cone shape that accepts the centre of the drive flange as you push it in then it's correct.  Internal pressure would help the oil seal be forced against the shaft it's running on.

[zulublue]

Thanks All, good info there Les cheers