knuckle rebuild help

[Big_Wheel]

OK guys,

I have a question about a knuckle dilema I have right now. I got a rebuild kit for my 1982 BJ42 and I have the knuckle itself assembled...my problem is with a part that came in the kit. From the FSM it appears to be the "dust seal" and it goes on after the disk shield over the spindle but before the hub. It has a mysterious rubber seal molded into the inside hole diameter. I never noticed this part (the old one) having this rubber when I took the knuckles apart. I am not using the disk shield and made a spacer for its place...though I think this is not important. When I assembled the hub and tested the preload it was three times what it should be! I know for a fact that it is simply this rubber seal dragging on the hub because it fits really tight...and the bearings are fine. I cant just call it good enough because the preload has to be properly adjusted to keep the bearings working properly. Should I just not use this 'dust seal', should I cut the rubber off, or should I just do the tourque specs as in the FSM and assume the bearing preload is adaquate? Thanks guys.

Curtis

 

[Big_Wheel]

Here is a picture of the part.

 

[Poser]

You never noticed it because the rubber seal portion was probably missing.....


That is a “hub seal” to keep big pieces of debris away from the wheel bearing seal.


Clean the area on your wheel bearing hub where this seal wipes/rides against it. It is very likely that this area is rough and causing your high reading of the wheel bearing pre-load.

 

[Big_Wheel]

Its true that is probably vanished years ago...the area seems pretty clean and I greased the lip of the rubber before assembly. As long I I know its supposed to be there. I will sand that area a little. tHanks

 

[Big_Wheel]

Worked out okay...preload is almost within spec now...thanks.