Swivel Seal Question

[3VILC]

OK, so with regards to the swivel seals, ie. the ones on the inside that seal up against the ball shapped end of the axle housing.. The left hand one sits right up against the ball and looks normal, the right hand one there appears to be about maybe 4-5mm gap between the lip and the ball surface and this is the side that I thought was leaking axle oil (changed the axle seal) but now i think maybe just cv grease mixed with water (the axle oil was still pretty much full when i change the seal, and i've had the thing a year now n its been leaking since i got it). Is this just a really buggered swivel seal? it almost looks like theres some kind of spacer missing between the seal and the 2 half plates that hold it in

[darinz]

It sounds like the seal has been put in backwards. It is possible to do and you can even bolt it all up with a bit of effort. The only way to tell would be to take the seal out and see if the lip is facing the right way.

[3VILC]

Hrm, it could be possible, the lip 'appears' to face the same way as the other side, although i suppose its possible to push the lip inside out to face the right way if the seal was backwards depending on seal design. I havent seen what these look like new in the packet so unsure. But the edge of the lip, ie. the part that should touch the ball, sits out very slightly further than the backing plates, whereas on the good side this point is a good 5mm below the level of the plates. I guess i'll have to bite the bullet and pull the whole lot out again and pull the kingpin bearings to get at it. I only noticed how strange it looked after changing the axle seal and degreasing the back of the hub

[darinz]

You should be able to undo just the seal covers to check. Only pull the kingpins if it is wrong.

[oldblue]

If the seal is to be changed, make a cut at the very top of the seal and felt ,refit cut to the top. NO NEED to pull the swivel houseing off.

[3VILC]

Thanks oldblue.. i was wondering if something like that could be done.. it looks like a b***h of a job to pull the whole lot off.
I know its generally better to leave bearings undisturbed if at all possible which is why i left the kingpins alone last time. I hope its not buggered i seem to remember that being about an $80 seal last time i was pricing stuff at nissan