Felt front axle seal style?

[fataitaa]

I'm replacing the seals and bearings on my 95 cruiser. I had an incomplete FEBEST set, but it had both felt seals. (right).
The seal on the left was part of a full 4-wheel set I ordered. The felt seal is pre-compressed felt.

Uninstalled, the FEBEST seal is 9mm thick. The compressed one is 3.7mm. Once installed and compressed under the compression ring they will likely be similar in thickness.

My question is: The felt edge, outside the compression ring will be thicker and will be fluffy. The pre-compressed one will be rigid.

Any thoughts on which is better.

Thanks,
Taitaa,

 

[Kernal]

You could use a steam iron to compress the FEBEST felts, let dry a few minutes, then if you want spray the felts with a water repellent treatment, let it soak in, then install. Or, just use the OEM felts.

 

[bhsdriller]

Not sure what the difference is but just use the OEM style

 

[fataitaa]

Good plan. Thanks.

 

[Woofythewolf]

The compressed one will do a better job scraping junk off the ball so there's less for the rubber seal to deal with.