Wheel bearing seal problems

[Deleted User]

Today I went about greasing the right front wheel bearing on my 1950 Pacemaker Deluxe. Everything pretty much went fine (those wheel bearing grease plungers really do the trick!) until I went about replacing the original metal seal with a new one. I used a Chicago Rawhide #15960 seal purchased from Napa. For some reason I had a very difficult time trying to get the seal inserted into the inner wheel hub. I greased the side of the new seal to help slide it into place, but everytime I started to carefully work the seal in place (flat side facing me) it would go into the hub on one end while the opposite side lifted up. Finally, I got it to go straight in and set the seal so it was flush with the surface of the hub backside. However, it seems the inner rubber sealing portion of the seal was distorted against the inner bearing. It just didn't look right, so I removed it and put the original metal seal back in place as a temporary fix. I don't recall this being so much trouble the last time I did this on my long gone '53 Wasp. By the way, do the original felt seals and accompanying metal collar still remain on the spindle when using a new replacement seal. And also, I know it's best to replace an old wheel bearing grease seal, but it seems the old metal seal and felt seals are still in very good shape. Has anyone just continued with these older seals without any problems? Thanks for any suggestions here!

Geoff

I have never replaced the original front wheel seals on any of my cars, and never had a problem with grease retention.

[Deleted User]

That's great to hear. In that case, I'll just stick with the original factory front wheel bearing seal set up.

51Hudson

I had the same problem. No matter what, I could not get them in. I even took one to my grinding wheel to try to make the OD a little smaller, it still didn't work. So I also just put the original ones back in.

[Deleted User]

1049superg - The CR 15960 is not the correct seal for your car. A CR 15649 or a National 42364S are what you need. Norm

[Deleted User]

I believe the number I listed is a NAPA number although the seal is made by Chicago Rawhide. Still, I'll have to double check with NAPA.

Park_W

Strange ... my records show I've bought the 15960, and I know I've never had a problem with installing them. Hmmmm.

[Deleted User]

Park W - The CR 15960 and CR 15649 almost the same except a slight different in shaft size (ID) which probably be OK. The main difference it the width - the 15960 is .313" - the 15649 is .250". That is probably why he had interference between the bearing and seal when he installed it flush with the lip of the hub. Norm

Park_W

Norm, thanks for that info. The thickness issue may also explain why the 15960 is often found to be hanging on the spindle rather than coming off with the drum-hub assembly ... the seal may not have been fully seated in the hub.

[Deleted User]

I wonder if there is a better wheel bearing seal out there for the front spindles on stepdowns. Seems like the Chicago Rawhide 15960 may not be the best grease seal, but perhaps the best one for the time being.

[Deleted User]

1049superg - SKF or CR 15649 is a better seal as discussed on this topic. Norm