Front wheel bearing seal

[avbell2]

I'm changing the front wheel bearings on my "new" red '66. Under the
metal cup that covers the end of the axle is an O-ring. I was told
that there should not be an O-ring in the groove but there is
definitely one there now. Replace it with a new one or toss it out
entirely? I see where this question came up before on the forum but I
can't see where anyone answered it.
Thanks,
Mike Bell
Red '66
Sacramento, CA

 

[David Chapman]

Although it looks like it's for an O ring that grove is to hold the rubber cap
that was fitted to very early Amphicars. The idea being the rubber would
compress slightly and you wouldn't have a problem of water being sucked in to
the wheel bearings. When using the metal cup you need a seal isn't quite
air-tight. That way if there is a pressure difference any water gets sucked
inside the metal cap (where it doesn't cause a problem), instead of past the
inner oil seal where it does. So, in short, remove the O ring.

David Chapman

 

[avbell2]

Well that settles that, and saves me from trying to find new O-rings.
Thank you Mr.Chapman.


--- In amphicar-lovers@y..., "David Chapman" <david@m...> wrote:
> Although it looks like it's for an O ring that grove is to hold the
rubber cap
> that was fitted to very early Amphicars. The idea being the rubber
would
> compress slightly and you wouldn't have a problem of water being
sucked in to
> the wheel bearings. When using the metal cup you need a seal isn't
quite
> air-tight. That way if there is a pressure difference any water
gets sucked
> inside the metal cap (where it doesn't cause a problem), instead of
past the
> inner oil seal where it does. So, in short, remove the O ring.
>
> David Chapman