TR2/3/3A front hub seal options

[raskas]

Hey Guys

Getting the hubs together and ive got a similar problem to previous posts regarding the felt seal cup not going into new hubs. Im wanting to know if anyone has successfully converted to a nitrile type seal as a replacement for the felt.

Cam

 

[Bruce100]

I just installed TRF seals with no problem. Someone in this forum suggested that you install the hub without the seal, adjust for proper bearing adjustment, then mark the nut and hub with a sharpie, note number of threads. Remove hub, install pre worked in grease seal. Tighten till it aligns with sharpie mark and thread count. Also, make sure you have the felt pointed in towards center of the car

 

[raskas]

Thanks for that Bruce. Ive tried a dry fit to see if the cup for the felt seal would slide into the hub by turning the stub axle nut, its just compressing the felt and the cup goes nowhere. I have found some 35x53x7 seals that may work well to replace the felt design. I just wondering if anyone else has had success using a more modern solution.

 

[TR3driver]

The bit about setting bearing clearance without the seal is actually from a Triumph manual.

The original metal cup should go into the hub easily. Any chance you didn't get the old one out? If not, I'd say you got a part that wasn't properly made.

Several people have posted (long ago) that they use rubber seals, but I've not seen any comments on how well they last, etc. You can find several part numbers on the RockAuto web site
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/triumph,1956,tr3,2.0l+l4,1436212,brake/wheel+hub,wheel+seal,1860

 

[Bruce100]

Pictures?

 

[raskas]

Im suspicious that the new hubs have a different lip diameter, the felt seal looks to be 54mm but the hub is only 53mm and has no chance of taking the steel cup of the felt seal

Cam

 

[TR3driver]

Oops, I missed that they were new hubs. Sorry.

I checked an original hub, and I get 2.082" in the seal bore (which is larger than the bore for the bearing race). Which is just a tad under 53mm.

 

[Bruce100]

I haven't installed the passenger side seal yet, and new in the package from TRF it measures 53.3 mm. The drivers side was an interference fit, I had to pull it in as I tightened the nut.

 

[raskas]

Yeah the ones i have from rimmers are more like 54 on a vernier, sorry i havent got a mic to be more accurate. I dont mind being the pioneer on these nitrile seals i have coming, ill get it all set up and post some picks soon

Cam

 

[raskas]

Okay guys. My metric seals have arrived and ive fitted one to the new hub, size is 53 x 35 x 7. It tapped in nice and snug on the hub with a touch of loctite flange sealant and is sitting well on the step in the vertical link... fingers crossed it does the job.

Cam