Bearing seal

[steveirving]

Hi all, im servicing the bearing on my 59 tradewind and when i popped the bearing and seals off i noticed the seal body had a circular scuffing pattern on it. It appears that the inside edge of the bearing body was rubbing on the outside portion of the bearing seal. My question is if perhaps i packed the seal into the hub too tight? If that is the case what is the technique for packing the seal into the hub? My technique for the castle nut is to hand tightnen it with some channels locks, thenback it off until the cotter pin slides in. Thoughts? Why the wear pattern?

[cwf]

Sounds like the seal was set too deep??

[Olie]

I agree with cwf . You probably drove the seal in too far.

Just tap the seal in evenly with the drum lip and no more. The castle nut has nothing to do with the grease seal.

[steveirving]

That does make sense now that i think about it. The castle nut pulls the rwo bearing tight onto the spindle, so putting the seal just flush with the drum lip will create a seal and should provide a small cavity for grease to circulate. When i first pulled the drums and seals out after getting the trailer this is how they were set (below the rim of the drum against the inner bearing. Is this incorrect?

[cwf]

Yup that is wrong to seat that deep