N/S rear hub oil seal

[Siros]

Hello fellow Morris Minor owners,
As a new member to the forum, I thought that I would quickly introduce myself as a 47 year old from Southampton, who bought a 1971 registered Bedouin coloured Traveller in Jan 2009. It looked good from the outside, but I very soon found that whoever had it before me, had made a mess of almost everything, with botched repairs everywhere. Anyway, to try and cut a long story short, I have replaced numerous panels (and now feel that I am a part owner in ESM spares!) and lots of other bits, together with respraying the engine bay etc. This brings me to the crux of my problem; the rear N/S hub.
I was checking the rear N/S shoes and found oil everywhere. I suspect that this was due to a dodgy hub 'O' ring, however, I had a spare oil seal lying around so thought I would renew it at the same time. I have managed to remove the bearing and old seal, but am now wondering if anyone can confirm which way round the new seal goes. I assume that the lip of the seal points outwards from the diff to keep the oil in. The design of the hub and the back plate would seem to keep dirt ingress to a minimum. However, I don't want to make a mess of things so was wondering if any one more knowledgable than me can shed any light. Any help would be much appreciated. [frame][/frame]

[taupe]

Hi

The way you show it in your pic is correct

[bmcecosse]

And I'm not sure that it is! The idea is to keep dirt out........... So I believe it should be fitted the other way round. I'm not sure how mine are fitted - because I have never had to disturb them.

[taupe]

BMC

youre just confusing the guy

Think about it the oil is on the bearing side and the seal is as shown to stop it leaking on to the brakes not to stop dirt going in.

Ive just done these myself so I know its right

Taupe

[bmcecosse]

As I say - I'm not so sure......... How did the old seal come out ? On Minis the seal is definitely put in backwards to keep dirt out - I'm just not sure if the Minor is the same..........

[taupe]

If youre not sure why comment.

I am sure

[taupe]

BMC have a look at Fig HH 13 in the manual... Youll need your spy glass though!!!

[bmcecosse]

Well - it's a Forum - a place for discussion - and I have said I have doubts - but I do know that on other cars the seals are put in backwards and I think that's the way I would do it! I was hoping a few others would join in the discussion!

[taupe]

No hard feelings BMC youre neally always spot on

[Siros]

Hey Taupe & BMC, thanks so much for the replies. The seal came out as it was in the photo, so after everyones advice, I will put it back the same way.

Until the next time, which I suspect may be sooner rather than later.

[m0oses]

Hello from New York State

I have had a rear hub seal fail that caused differential to seize up after all oil leaked out then twisted off one of the axles. I replaced the diff, axles and then replaced both bearings with a sealed (permanently lubricated) assembly. The bearing I used was a NACHI 6207-2NSE (package part number), bearing marked 6207NSE. During the re-assembly, I used whatever the standard array of gaskets one would install with an open bearing. My only concern at the time was that the diff fluid might "eat" the seal material -- did not happen; the fluid I used was Valvoline gear oil high performance sae 80w-90 part number 831. That was done over 20k miles ago and was a roaring success.

Bye
Nick
Lockport, NY USA

[M25VAN]

Just to add a bit more confusion it's shown the other way round ( to the pic above) in the parts manual, MH13. It's a clearer image than my electronic copy of the manual. I've always fitted them the way BMC says the mini ones are fitted, simply because that's how they came out.

[bmcecosse]

[M25VAN]

So that's 1-1 in the local parts/workshop manual derby and a latest score of 1-1 in the 'how did yours come out' middle of the table clash. Any late goals?

[chrisryder]

mine have always come out (and gone back in) the way the original posters picture shows!

[taupe]

The parts book shows it the wrong way round and also on the wrong side of the bearing!

both my seals had not been disturbed from new and came out as the OPs pic

Having said all that - it will probably work whichever way it is fitted as there is no pressure in the axle case. Also the new seals have a dirt lip facing the brake plate as well as the oil seal lip

[M25VAN]

Shows my usual level of observation. Workshop manual wins in extra time then.
Lets hope I remember to put it in the correct way next time.....

[taupe]

Heres a usefull link if doing these seals and bearings

http://eastberkshirebranch-mmoc.org.uk/ ... arings.htm

[rayofleamington]

mine have always come out (and gone back in) the way the original posters picture shows!

Mine too (three, four)


If the seal leaks again, most likely the opposing surface is badly worn.
It's not unheard of to have to move the seal by approx 1.5mm (packing shim behind it) to get it to run on a better surface, or failing that.. find a better axle.

[Siros]

Well the way I look at it and having thought about it, the main function of the seal (in this application anyway) is to keep the oil in and from weeping out onto the backplate and so contaminating the brake shoes. The design of the hub and back plate will tend to keep out most of the dust and the seal will keep out anything else. If the seal goes in the other way round (opposite to my photo) then its design will not assist in keeping oil in and there is then a risk of oil running onto the brake shoes. I guess in practice it wont make a lot of difference which way round it goes in, but should things reach an extreme, then I would rather have oil free brake shoes, which would be the safer option, than a worn bearing which I can easily replace. Despite all this, it makes for a well interesting, if not entertaining discussion. Thanks to all.