Dust Shield/Seal needed?

[SHOguy 92]

Just put on the new wheel bearing and forgot I needed to pick up a dust shield/seal till I had it apart. So I tossed it back together moved the car out of the garage so the garage is still usable.

Then I called all the auto parts places in town today, even ford checking for a new dust shield/seal. No one has them, most places dont have it in their parts at all. And Ford says it's discontinued.... (just great)

But the guy at Ford also said he wouldn't worry about it. He said he was pretty sure they aren't needed. So any confirmation on this or maybe a place to check for a dust shield/seal?

 

[SHOZ123]

If you are talking about the pie tins they should be in the trash heap.

 

[SHOguy 92]

Nope I am talking about the seal that goes at the end of the CV where the CV meets the back of the wheel bearing.

 

[93rev2sev]

It's attached to the axle...if you replace the axle there should be a new seal. If not, you would have to transfer the seal from the old axle.

Here's a pic...


It should still be on your axle...so don't worry too much...

 

[SHOguy 92]

I didn't buy a new axel and the old seal is stuck in the knuckle, well should I say whats left of the old seal (the few bits that count).

So I need a new one, and no place seems to have it. I really don't feel like buying a wholw CV just to get one, and even then most parts places I talked to said nothing comes with the CV, just it no seals.

So is it fine to go without this seal or will that result in a once again gibbed wheel bearing?

Or if anyone knows where to buy the seal by itself that would be great. Was suppose to have the car on the road today, looks like it could be over a week if I gotta order it online.

**EDIT** wait that whole cup including those side teeth are part of this dust shield? Crap I put it all back together and didn't check the axel side, I figured that the seal was just a little ring that went over the end of the CV.

 

[93rev2sev]

the picture above shows an ABS axle from a MTX car and a non-ABS axle from an ATX.

The ABS ring is not part of the dust shield...it IS just a ring....like you said.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Raxles has supplied new ones with SOME of the axles I have purchased from them. You may want to check there. For the ones they didn't supply a seal with, I just popped one off at a junk yard... Actually a few. Regular Taurus cars have the same seal.

 

[SHOguy 92]

Pulled it apart, it for sure isn't in there. So I assume that it isn't safe to go without one of these even though Ford told me it should be fine? I really just need the answer on this so I can get my car home.

I can't really go to a junkyard up here and pull one off since this is the rust belt I'm sure all these seals would be shot.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

I can probably get you OEM seals still in the blue plastic OEM packaging, if you can't find the seals anywhere else.

 

[SHOguy 92]

That would be great, toss me a pm with a price and I'll let you know. For now I put some liquid gasket in there (not a ton) let it cure for 24 hours gave it a slow drive around to test it. Then drove it home, seems to be doing the job. But I would much rather have the real gasket in there.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

I'll check tomorrow and should know either tomorrow or Monday on availability.

 

[hawkeye18]

It's not a gasket. It's just something to keep dirt out. Which it ceases to do after about 5,000 miles anyway. It's really not a big deal, and as long as you don't go dirt-track racing on it, it should be fine. Even if you do, you'll have other problems long before dirt in your CV axle.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

The CV joints are sealed by the Oetiker boot clamps. This seal is for the backside of the front wheel bearing.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Okay, I've found some of the seals. Dealer list is $10.98 (ea.), I can get them for $8.79 ea. and shipping - about $22-$23 with shipping, Priority Mail.

 

[93rev2sev]

Hey, as long as they are availbale...why not do it right.

I don't think it will hurt anything to drive it the way it is until you can get the new seals installed. New axle nuts are recommended (they are "one use only" nuts, according to the manuals).

 

[Eric VerValin]

I remember posting about this a long time ago... got mine apart and realized I didnt have one on the passenger side... drove around without one for god only knows how long.. some dirt will get in there, but it wont trash the bearing super early or anything. Unless maybe you live in the desert, or drive thru deep water often, you should be ok for a while.

 

[93rev2sev]

When you DO get it installed, slap some grease on the backside of that bearing...not too much...just enough to **** the seal and coat the bearing.