Tips for installing front hub seals for 500 Scrambler 4x4

[p5200]

I bought a seal driver kit but, the spring that goes around the lip of the seal came off inside the hub. I have another seal but, I wanted to check here first to see if maybe I should use some steel wool or something around the metal edges of the seal. I'm open to all suggestions. Thanks! 🙂

[Mech]

The spring will have come off because the lip got distorted as you worked it over the shaft.  The outer should only need to be wiped clean with a rag and have some sealer on it if it's  a metal body, or dry if it's a rubber bodied seal. The sealing lip should have a bit of grease on it.

You should be able to tap the seal into where it sits easily with an 8oz hammer. Use a fat engineers punch if it's recessed.   It shouldn't take any hard hitting at all..You have to hold it down and tap a very little in on one side, then jump to the opposite side before working your way around tapping it in evenly all the way around in stages, going around about six or ten times before it's right down..  If it gets cocked it will distort the body of the seal, but as long as you can tap on the opposite side and get it moving down on the higher side again is it will come right if you don't let it get more than about a 1/8 inch out of flat.

If you have any trouble and end up getting a new seal, I'd recommend the new rubber covered seals.. that are way better.

[p5200]

I tapped in in with the driver tool a pretty good ways the the spring popped off again. I got lucky, and was able to tap it back out again. I put the spring back on and tapped it back in lightly working my way around it like you mentioned. It went in a lot easier the second time. The seal I replaced is the outer one that goes in the back of the hub. I got the ones that go in the back of the struts also so I'll have them if needed later. Gave it a test ride and so far, there's no leakage. I sure appreciate having knowledgeable people such as yourself where I can obtain help when I need it! 🙂

[Mech]

Perseverance always wins..  giving up never does..

 

Good onya.