Are wheel bearing oil seals reusable?

[Nickathome]

I got got sticker shock this afternoon when at my local NAPA store. I had inquired what the price for the oil seals is. I was not expecting what I had heard. They want $20.00 for the plain seals and $35.00 for the seal with the flange(It might not be a flange, I am not sure what the guy said)..I'd prefer not pay over $50.00 for each wheel if I don't have to. Are the seals reusable?...

[MSeriesRebuild]

I got got sticker shock this afternoon when at my local NAPA store. I had inquired what the price for the oil seals is. I was not expecting what I had heard. They want $20.00 for the plain seals and $35.00 for the seal with the flange(It might not be a flange, I am not sure what the guy said)..I'd prefer not pay over $50.00 for each wheel if I don't have to. Are the seals reusable?...

If your truck has original seals, they will not be fit to reuse. I would highly recommend they be replaced at every wheel bearing service interval if they are removed from the hub. The price they quoted is rather high, I wonder if they are quoting a price for an incorrect seal? What part # are they quoting this price for?

[Nickathome]

I assumed it was the numbers I gave the guy. The numbers I was given from this website are those I mentioned to the guy at the store. The NAPA where I inquired from is not my usual NAPA stop. I went to another one further up the road which has later Saturday hours. I did not buy I merely got prices. I will go to my normal NAPA soon and see if there is a difference.

[HingsingM37]

Do not reuse your old ones. Thats like reusing your oil filter. I have to wonder like Charles what they were quoting you? Are these the hub seals for your M37 or something else? Front or rear? The rear axle hub uses the flanged seal on the outboard. Both inboards are the same on the hubs. You should be able to find them cheaper than Napa. Try a bearing house. For the inboard I used a TSM #281384SAH, about $11 retail. I believe the CR# is 28116 for the inboard seal? The flanged seal I have seen for much less as well.

[Nickathome]

Hey cheaper works for me, where did you buy them for that price? I'll buy from there.

[Cal_Gary]

By 'flange" they may be taking about the "seal flange" or "sleeve" -they are driven onto the axle shaft with an installation tool to cover up axle shafts that get the grooves worn in them over time (from the inner edge of the seal) that causes them to leak excessively. The new inner seal edge rides against the flange or sleeve instead of riding in the old grooved area on the axle shaft itself.
Gary

[gwalker]

A B lynn has them on e-bay all the time some on there now. The rear axle has a flanged seal its the first one when u take out the axle.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/M37-Dodg ... enameZWDVW

[MSeriesRebuild]

A B lynn has them on e-bay all the time some on there now. The rear axle has a flanged seal its the first one when u take out the axle.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/M37-Dodg ... enameZWDVW

The ones shown in that picture are only the outer seals, no inner seals are pictured. If they are NOS as the information states they are, you don't want them at any price.

[HingsingM37]

Nickathome,
I sent you a p/m.

I believe what Charles is saying is not that the original seal design was faulty, but the rubber compounds that comprise the seal lip breakdown. A NOS seal no matter how well packed, will deteriorate with time. It may look fine, but the materials molecular structure is shot and it will not last or seal against the surface.
Along these lines, I often wonder why folks buy 50 year old oil filters on ebay $$$. You may as well stuff the canister with old yellow newspaper

[Nickathome]

HingsingM37;

PM sent in reply...

[ELBUFO]

http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/ Has some good prices check them out...John