Is there a seal? Front wheel bearings?

[Eric VerValin]

Ok.. i got a set of 95 knuckles, and one is 'questionable' So i figure on replacing both bearings. The play in the one is pretty small, but its there, it will pull / push about 1/8 - 1/16th of an inch. Should I bother with new hub assemblys? Or would I be ok with just a bearing? I noticed from searching that the rears have a seal also, and the fronts do not? Is this right? Thanks !

 

[projectSHO89]

Always replace the hub and bearing together. The front bearing is a sealed unit, it has no seals.

Steve

 

[Eric VerValin]

Well I remember replacing the bearing once before, and only replaced the bearing. I was just looking at the this set of knuckles I have here, and just thought it was funny that it was all exposed, and just wondered if there was supposed to be something back there shielding it. Ahh well.. just some more money I didnt want to spend, trying to avoid it. I just hope my woman isn't gunna be too ******. I just found out today I think we're having twins, instead of just one.. eeek.. now i really gotta hurry up and finish this thing..

 

[sdpatt]

The inboard surface of the front wheel bearing is protected by the dust seal that is mounted on the spindle. This seal must be removed and re-installed when the CV shafts are replaced. If it's not there, the R&R was not done during a CV shaft replacement.

 

[Eric VerValin]

Well your talking about the cap that covers the spindle nut right?

 

[AREA 91]

Eric, he's refering to the front nuckles. There is a "seal" on the end of the CV shaft where it meets the insode of the nuckle and bearing. It helps keep crap outta the front wheel bearings. Almost all CV shafts that you get at the parts store do not have these seals. Therefore, you need to remove the old seal, and install it on the new CV.

 

[Racer X]

Haha, 3 Ford Tauruses and I've never seen that seal on the CV shaft. Ever.

 

[Shoaz]

Haha, 3 Ford Tauruses and I've never seen that seal on the CV shaft. Ever.

Same here, I was beginning to wonder...

 

[Eric VerValin]

LoL.. I think i see what your talking about.. have my halfshafts out on the bench. Kind of a small (thin) ring of rubber just inside of the splines? I'm guessing thats what your talking about, but I'm almost afraid to pull it off.



The seal thats stuck right there?

 

[Storm-Chaser]

There is a seal;

AREA 91 is correct. It is pressed onto the outer CV joint after servicing;

There's an entire page in the Service Manual dedicated to, and specific Rotunda tools used, to change/replace the seal. Some references refer to the seal as a "grease seal" instead of "dust shield".

I'll see if I can dig-up the part number from a previous invoice.... (but don't hold your breath!)

 

[Eric VerValin]

Hey guys... lookie here...

I stole this from Devin's post...

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=73664

RaAxles know where to find them. Guess I know who's getting my buisness. They gotta be around somewhere, but yea Racer.. I've had 4 Tauri, 3 SHO's and I've never seen one. Probally why the bearings go so fast. I only had to repack my wheel bearings once in my truck and she's got 229,000 miles on her. Nice fat seal there.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Hey guys... lookie here...

[deleted]

RaAxles know where to find them. Guess I know who's getting my buisness. They gotta be around somewhere, but yea Racer.. I've had 4 Tauri, 3 SHO's and I've never seen one. Probally why the bearings go so fast. I only had to repack my wheel bearings once in my truck and she's got 229,000 miles on her. Nice fat seal there.

My 'other' Taurus has them, and has over 500,000 miles with the right half-shaft being the factory original unit! The left has been replaced twice.

The reason most people haven't seen them, is because most shops (including many dealers) don't service the seal when the strut or half-shalf are changed. Most dealers don't even carry the seals in stock, despite the fact they're still available from Ford (E9SZ-2217-A).

 

[broken SHO]

Ok.. i got a set of 95 knuckles, and one is 'questionable' So i figure on replacing both bearings. The play in the one is pretty small, but its there, it will pull / push about 1/8 - 1/16th of an inch. Should I bother with new hub assemblys? Or would I be ok with just a bearing? I noticed from searching that the rears have a seal also, and the fronts do not? Is this right? Thanks !

The bearings will be loose when there is no CV joint installed in them, there is no pre-load then. It's a good idea to replace the bearings anyway.

 

[Eric VerValin]

Done.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Oh no you're not...


You didn't PAINT them

 

[Eric VerValin]

Sorry I missed your post.. and yea, I know.. I am still kicking myself for that, but its ok, they gotta come off again when I get my struts, maybe I'll coat em then.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

But then you've got to fight that four-letter-word....

R - U - S - T