You're correct, guess I was starting to fall asleep when I read that. LOL

And while I'm at it...
I've posted it here somewhere, but can't be bothered to find the thread; hub bearings are the same inner and outer, Timken SET37, SKF BR37, *** KIT38 or National A-37

 

antichrist

Apologies for jumping in on an oldish thread...

Thanks for putting up the photo of the correct fitting of the oil seal. I did wonder if that was the right way to fit it - in fact I did it that way first time!

I have fitted one of mine wrongly today, putting the outer lip of the oil seal right inside the cavity of the hub.

Does anyone think that is a really bad idea that justifies stripping it all down again? Or should I just leave it as it is not fouling anything?

I guess it might be a little short of room to seal on the shaft.

Grateful for any advice.

 

Nothing wrong with resurrecting an old thread, IMO, since your question is on topic.

I've not tried fitting one backwards so I won't venture a guess as to the long term, or short term even, effects.

 

That seal keeps your hub from filling with water when you ford. If you put it in backwards then theoretically every time you submerge past the axles your hub will fill with water. The hubs are unvented and essentially "inhale" when water hits them and they cool rapidly, just like the axles. I would say it is a judgement call, it is a lot to pull apart and you will maul the seal getting it out, so you'll have to buy another one...I might just leave it until something else required me to bust it open again.

just my humble opinion -

 

Thanks for your input guys.

geek_IM - Reckon you are right about exposing it to water getting in. Although it isn't fitted backwards - same orientation but it just slipped inside the little flange when I fitted it and I thought it looked right.

I think I'll just bite the bullet and strip it back down again this morning. I have a couple of spare seals (the old type) in the event that this one gets mangled.

At least I now have antichrist's photo to ensure I do it properly. I'm still learning about Land Rovers and these Forums are really helpful!

 

What seals are you using? The FTC2783, which was the original Discovery seal, is the one that is installed flush with the rim of the hub bore. The newer FTC4785 is recessed 4mm from what I can find (I haven't used them in 8 or 9 years so I'm going with what I found looking around on the web).
I use RTC3511 seals.

 

I was given a new set of front discs with the vehicle when I bought it, and they came complete with pads and hub seals.

They are not the RTC3511 which I had bought and fitted last week (and which I agree look like good seals with the dual lip and springs) but I fitted one yesterday to replace the one which, as geek-IM suggested it would, got mangled on removal.

To be honest I don't know what type these are. Looking at the various diagrams and photos on the forums they might be the FTC4785. They have 2 lips with one being a slightly larger diameter than the other, but no number is stamped on them. Could be an after-market clone. I fitted one to replace the one I mangled - would have gone back to get a new RTC3511 but everywhere closed this weekend and today is a local holiday as well so I just went with what I had. After spending hours trying to find a fitting diagram on the web I fitted it with the main lip facing inwards towards the bearing to keep the grease in. It looks OK but time will tell if it stops the grease getting out and contaminating the disk.

 

Can you read French?
Land Rover FAQ • Afficher le sujet - Moyeu de roue AV 300TDI : révision et réglage
If not copy and paste the URL in to google translate and you'll get the gist.

 

Tom

Mais Oui, mon ami.
(OK, courtesy of Google Translate, actually hilarious)
"We'll have to disassemble the rocket and then the hub."

Excellent pictures. And it looks identical to the seal I fitted, which I did get the right way round!

Many thanks again for your efforts to educate this Newby.