Inexpensive Wheel Seal Installer

[DHennon]

Here is my first stab at posting pictures and a tip on the site.

I just finished replacing all the steel and rubber brake lines, M/C, Air Pack, wheel cylinders, wheel seals and re-packed the bearings. Following the extensive, " how to replace the seals" thread, and the potential for catastrophic failure by not redoing the brake components, I decided to give it a go.

I read several comments about installing the wheel seals and was a bit shy about pounding on them with a brass drift pin to seat them.

I made a trip to the helpful hardware place and bought some 3" schedule 40 PVC pipe about 2 feet long, a 3" slip x slip coupling, a 3" slip x female adapter and a 3" PVC pipe plug. The assembled installer is pictured below.
I did not glue anything together.

The coupling is exactly the same size as the seal and when you slip the seal over the axle tube, followed by the installer, all you have to do is tap the plug in with a BFH and seat the seal. Worked like a charm and only cost about $6 bucks.

 

[SMOKEWAGON66]

That seems pretty neat...axle seals and I do not usually get along lol...maybe this would help.

 

[RAYZER]

Good job Dave! I may have to copy that!

 

[Flyingvan911]

Very nice!

 

[Deucenut]

Great idea. I have that job coming up and will likely copy your idea. Thanks.

 

[runk]

If you get a piece of pipe with one expanded bell end, the bell is also the right size for the seal.

 

[scoutmanadam]

that is very clever, great idea

 

[two.fiveM35]

Great idea.

 

[Kaiserjeeps]

Posts like this rock. Cheap and effective. Thanks!

 

[197thhhc]

Thats a great idea. Thanks for posting.

 

[CARNAC]

HEY THAT IS A GREAT IDEA IT LOOKS JUST LIKE.........

Well.....it looks just like the one CARNAC made and posted awhile back.

Wait it is just like the one CARNAC made and posted about.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/51160-how-hub-flip-7.html

Post 63 and 67 on this thread from Sep of last year.

 

[DHennon]

So sorry... I would not copy someone's elses idea intentionally or otherwise. Great minds just think alike. Since there are so many mambers with so many posts, and I was not flipping hubs, I would have not seen your post. Please accept my sincere apology.

 

[gringeltaube]

Don't worry, just make another one but using steel parts, not plastic.
Works better and you can claim it your's...

Make sure your tool comes to rest exactly where the red arrow points at...!


G.

 

[Odyssey M]

I used this same method after checking out CARNAC's post (2 piece build). It worked great--both are good ideas. I think next time around, I would add the collar you have on yours. The 3" pipe by itself was a smidge off, but still very workable.