Paper thin hub gasket- will it work?

[Andy65]

I just received a hub gasket from one of the usual suspects that is only .010 thick. The one I removed is .045 thick. I can't see how it will work given the bearing spacer but they tell me it is what they have been using for awhile. HUH? Has anyone tried the thin ones maybe with liberal amounts of gasket sealer?

 

[Keoke]

Hi Andy, if the axel's flange seats firmly on the gasket and hub it will work. Use a sealer on both sides Hylomar if you have it. Alternatively, you have a pattern and can easily make one from thicker material--Fwiw--Keoke

 

[Dave Russell]

I think .008" to .010" is about standard. Thats why I said earlier that something is not correct on your car. Either wrong spacer, wrong bearing, or bearing not fully seated in the hub.

I think someone has used a thick gasket as a work around for another problem.

It "may" have worked before - but you really need to remove the bearing from the hub & measure the bearing width (should be .902") & it's seating shoulder depth in the hub. Seating depth plus the spacer should not project much more than .004" beyond the bearing carrier face. While in there, replace the seal, spring side toward outboard.

The hub nut will require a sturdy 2 13/64" socket that fits an eight sided nut. The nut on the LH side is a LH thread. The nut on the RH side is a RH thread. They "should" be tightened to 100 lb/ft or more.

OR

Stuff it back together with five gaskets & hope for the best.
D

 

[Andy65]

The manual says "bearing spacer must protrude .001 to .004 beyond outer face of hub AND paper washer" (emphasis added). That dimension assumes a .045 thick washer/gasket. Without a gasket the bearing space should protrude .046 to .050. That is exactly what I measure. Correspondingly with the unworn part of the old gasket it is exactly .001 as it should be. So, no problem with bearing seating. Supplier called back (amazing) and said they have not sold the thick gaskets for a few years but knew that is what was originally installed. I'm good to go.

 

[Dave Russell]

OK - sounds good. I was going by the older hubs which have no O ring seal. I guess it makes sense that the models with O ring need some space for this ring. Sorry if I confused things. Hope the inner seal is good. I'll stay out of this.
D

 

[healeynut]

Andy -

Your old gasket was too thick. You definitely want a very thin gasket here, as it will be substantially much less susceptable to compression stress and failure. what this means is thicker gaskets will start leaking with time, where as thin gasket will retain their fit, even after you drive the car around.

 

[bighly]

I am doing this same job now. Use the thin gasket.