Coenut Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 I need to clean up the seal mailing surfaces on the rear axles. I usually use a red scotch rite and some wd40, but was told to never do it that way. Am I in the wrong? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
theakerstwo Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 If you scratch the sealing surface then it can leak.Use emery cloth and go round and round with it. 2 Quote glenn akers Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-359822 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmyb Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 I'm not an expert but we use scotch brite pads to scuff up paint before respraying. Doesn't really do any damage to a painted surface, so I would of thought a metal surface would of been even less risk. Just my thoughts. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-359842 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coenut Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 That was my way of thinking. The red pads are around 320 grit. I'll get some finer grit emery cloth. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-359843 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 If you mean you need to remove some caked on grease then pads or emery will work fine, but if you are trying to remove the ring cut into the seal surface than I don't think it will work. If the surface is cut you can either try to re-position the seal a little by not seating it as much or you can get a sleeve to slide over the hub that will provide a new sealing surface. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-359847 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Those are called "Speedi-Sleeves" for use when there is a wear groove into the sealing surface. Ensure you get the correct seal for this usage as there are times undersize seals for these. I use crocus cloth myself to clean up most sealing surfaces as it doesn't scratch other than in the micron range. 1 Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-359870 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coenut Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 There was a wear grove in the ring so I removed the ring. I don't have the tool to place that ring precisely back on so I went with a non grit guard seal. I have all hubs off to check the bearings and races so I figured I may as well clean everything up and replace the seals. The surfaces just need a touch up. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-359920 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 2 minutes ago, Coenut said: There was a wear grove in the ring so I removed the ring. I don't have the tool to place that ring precisely back on so I went with a non grit guard seal. I have all hubs off to check the bearings and races so I figured I may as well clean everything up and replace the seals. The surfaces just need a touch up. I'm not familiar with a tool needed to reinstall the sealing ring. It should have an "O" ring on it's inner surface which bears against the spindle and most have a roll pin which engages into a hole in the spindle to keep the sealing ring from spinning from seal drag. Some of the sealing rings from OEM were a press fit and the roll pin was not there but one would bore a small hole into the area where the sealing ring abuts and the replacement seal ring would slide right on. Some factory installations had a "Speedi-Sleeve" installed already. Those you just tap into place with a block of wood being easy to not distort it as you drive it onto the sealing ring. A little here, a little there, and they usually just walk right on. Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-359922 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coenut Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 The steer axle has the ring with a roll pin. The drives don't. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-359923 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 17 minutes ago, Coenut said: The steer axle has the ring with a roll pin. The drives don't. Yes, that was common. If you removed the "Speedi-Sleeve" from the drives they could, or could not be factory supplied when new. Replacements should be readily available. There is a tool recommended for their installation but I've never had one myself. Have always used a block of wood, (usually oak) and drove the sleeve on slowly and evenly. Put a thin layer of grease on the seal riding surface before sliding the hub into position so you don't burn the seal lips up during initial start up. Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-359926 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 Stemco makes a seal with a metal wear ring included, for most applications. This gives you a new wear surface every time you replace the seal. The sleeve is installed at the same time as the seal, with the seal installation tool. Saved me many times with a worn spindle when no other seal would work. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-360012 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coenut Posted January 28, 2017 Author Share Posted January 28, 2017 They are very convenient. The tool I don't have looks like an old metal style thermos and it has interchangeable heads. Thankfully spindles are good. Just curious but when is the next work day at the museum? 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-360030 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 They are very convenient. The tool I don't have looks like an old metal style thermos and it has interchangeable heads. Thankfully spindles are good. Just curious but when is the next work day at the museum? Second Saturday each month. So next would be Feb. 11, I believe. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-360033 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 can you not get a "mechanics" style seal for that axle ? as Underdog said a stemco style seal will eliminate the worry of having a lip seal, seal on a worn surface a cr scott seal or mechanics seal would also fix the issue as long as the seal surface is still smooth, a wear strip in the middle should not affect them as they are multi ribbed on the inner bore. and should be able to bridge the area of concern 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-360587 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coenut Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 Everything on the axles cleaned up very nicely. Little elbow grease with some emery and wd40. Used scott seals found them dirt cheap brand new on eBay. Next is a brake job, then wheels and tires. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-360593 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Everything on the axles cleaned up very nicely. Little elbow grease with some emery and wd40. Used scott seals found them dirt cheap brand new on eBay. Next is a brake job, then wheels and tires.Doing the same on my MH, likely will pull the drive hubs apart this weekend. I've been using CR seals for years, with good results. Best for a shade tree mechanic such as me, because no special tools required. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-360607 Share on other sites More sharing options...
m16ty Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 On 2/2/2017 at 7:30 PM, gearhead204 said: can you not get a "mechanics" style seal for that axle ? as Underdog said a stemco style seal will eliminate the worry of having a lip seal, seal on a worn surface a cr scott seal or mechanics seal would also fix the issue as long as the seal surface is still smooth, a wear strip in the middle should not affect them as they are multi ribbed on the inner bore. and should be able to bridge the area of concern I've used them. The seal actually spins inside itself instead of on the spindle. You can even put something like rtv on the spindle to help seal a less than perfect surface. You can also pretty much install them by hand, without having to drive them. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-360719 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgumby Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 http://www.stemco.com/product/grit-guard/ i always try to use these 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-360746 Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve p Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 stemco seals outlast scott seals or c r 100 to 1 in dusty conditions here in oz Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/48526-splindle-cleaning/#findComment-360886 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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