Wheel seal question

Depends on the seal brand and the location of the silicone. Stemco 2 piece requires RTV on the wear sleeve to the axle. I would say if it was used any other way it wasnt correct.

 

It's an extra layer of protection. Some guys do it, some don't. I like to use #2 on the outside of a CR or old school Stemco seal.

 

I have used silicone on hundreds of them, stemco, national , it doesn't matter, if used where it is intended to go

 

Ok......I'll play.


What wheel seal manufacturer's instructions call for RTV on seal installation? Are we talking seal to hub surface? If I have to glue it in I'd rather not use the seal at all.
If additional sealant is required to keep the seal from leaking either theres something wrong with the hub or other? If a seal has issues leaking as installed maybe one should be spending more money on a higher quality seal that doesnt need additional sealant to keep it from leaking.

 

I do not know of any manufacturer that calls for it. On stemco I use it under the wear ring if there is a bad spot on the surface, which is the only time I will use a stemco anyway, and may or may not put some between it and the hub, I am talking a very fine film. On national I will use some (fine film) between the seal and the hub. I have seen guys use it on the spindle surface with national when it has a bad spot with success, but I just use a stemco in those cases.

 

Yes, a thousand times yes. Completely agree!!!

I’ve used the national 3800 series seals for 13years. The only time they didn’t hold for the reasonable/ expected amount of time was when there was a problem with a plugged vent or the bearings. (Mis-adjusted, or pitted conditions)

Yes silicone probably may have kept the seals from leaking..... up till my mistakes came out and the bearings failed!!!

It’s like supergluing all the doors shut in your house just to make sure your wife hears all the points of your argument, just to realize half way through that ....

You where were in the wrong!!!