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What Oil Seal To Use?


MochetVelo

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I'm replacing my leaky rear axle seals on a 1911 Hupmobile Model 20. The seals are leather now, and I was wondering what type seal I can replace them with. There are single lip, double lip, spring-loaded rubber types, plus spring-loaded leather seals. Here's a quote from obsoleteoilseals.co.uk:

I am sometimes asked whether a modern seal should be used where the original seal was metal/leather.

A modern seal can be used but only if the shaft the seal is sealing to has a suitable surface finish. If for example the shaft is a new axle shaft this will probably be OK. If the shaft has any imperfections a leather seal will usually seal better as the lip of a leather seal is wider than a modern neoprene seal. If the shaft is made of a soft material a modern seal can wear a groove in the surface for the same reason.

Thanks for any help.

Phil

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In my opinion almost any modern seal will out perform old type leather, felt, etc. seals given a smooth sealing surface. If the sealed shaft is not smooth there are thin sleeves available that are made to address that problem. A face to face chat at a good bearing store counter should be able to answer most of your questions and provide helpful guidance.........Bob

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I believe that modern seal technology is quite a bit better than it was in the earlier part of the 20th Century. But that might not also dictate that a more-correct-for-the-era seal type and material might be more appropriate. But the ultimate determiners might be . . . the metallurgy used in the shaft (i.e., hardness) and the typical (and maximum) shaft speed the seal would need to be capable of handling.

As also mentioned, any wear on the shaft (in the seal area or due to the seal being where it was positioned) can be critical to the ultimate sealing situation. Some "replacement" or "problem solver" lip seals actually move the seal's lip away from the original seal's position to get a new seal surface to work with (some front crankshaft seals and rear wheel bearing seals have been done this way by some manufacturers). So, knowing the OD of the shaft can be important in finding a replacement seal.

Seems like I recall mention of soaking leather seals in motor oil before installation? I wonder how this same leather would respond to some of the more modern motor oils, in that respect?

As good as leather might be, putting a knurled pattern on the seal's contact area (in order to help divert oil back INTO the motor) would not seem to be possible with a leather-based seal. The newer rubberized seal would obviously have better durability in higher-rpm service, where the leather might abrade and degrade as it heated up during similar use. I also suspect the newer rubberized seals might require a slightly harder surface to seal against, yet they'll usually put a wear groove in the material over time . . . whereas leather might just polish it more (unless some abrasive material became embedded into the leather, somehow).

I know there are "stainless steel wear sleeves" (as mentioned) for specific applications . . . usually for front crankshaft balancer/seal appllications. There are other similar places on the motor where such a slip-on seal might not be appropriate or advisable, though.

There can be compelling reasons to use either type of seal, but I think I'd lean more toward the modern lip seal (for many reasons), provided it was sealing against a smooth and round surface that was "flat". Just as I typically put a thin layer of silicone sealer (usually black) on all of the cork-type gaskets I use (makes it easier to take apart later on AND prevents "wicking"), but in an incognito manner.

Just some thoughts,

NTX5467

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