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Installing the 14bff two-part spindle seals without the magic tool?

dremu

dremu

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I ordered a pair of the 14BFF spindle seals as my spindles are scored and leaky even with new original-style seals.

The paperwork with these guys suggests the only way to do it is with tool J24428-A, which is like $200+.

I've just gotten the package open and haven't torn into the hub yet to refresh my memory as to how the original seal is set up. Is it possible to do install these by hand or with a rubber mallet or the like, or am I looking at buying a crazy expensive one-time use tool?

-- A
 
I just put a set on and pressed them into the hub as usual then installed the hub with a bit of grease on the spindle, I did end up using the spindle nut to push the seal on the entire way but it seemed to work fine.

I know that ORD doesn't have the special tool and they use these seals on the race car. The hubs are pulled off of it every race so it can't be a big deal to install them.
 
miniwally said:
I just put a set on and pressed them into the hub as usual then installed the hub with a bit of grease on the spindle, I did end up using the spindle nut to push the seal on the entire way but it seemed to work fine.

I know that ORD doesn't have the special tool and they use these seals on the race car. The hubs are pulled off of it every race so it can't be a big deal to install them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying!

A smidge of grease on the spindle does sound reasonable for the inner rubber surface. I'll also run some emery paper or something over the spindle surface so it's less nasty =))

When you say "Pressed them into the hub as usual", is that like with a mallet on the metal bit, tapping gently around the circumference, or other?

-- A
 
Are you talking about speedy sleeves? If so they should come with a little tin tool to pound them on with. If it didnt, I have an extra one I could send you. They come as part of the kits I buy.
 
No special tools to install them, in fact, the handful that I've installed all went on pretty much like factory and just by pushing them on by hand. No drama.

olanchamedic said:
Are you talking about speedy sleeves? If so they should come with a little tin tool to pound them on with. If it didnt, I have an extra one I could send you. They come as part of the kits I buy.
Click to expand...

Not a speedi sleeve, he's asking about the special two piece hub seals that we carry.
 
olanchamedic said:
Are you talking about speedy sleeves? If so they should come with a little tin tool to pound them on with. If it didnt, I have an extra one I could send you. They come as part of the kits I buy.
Click to expand...

I've done the speedi sleeve on another axle, but after reading about these I thought I'd give them a try. I'm not convinced that the sleeve seals perfectly and it was a pain to put on. (Though the tin tool is very handy to hold axle/spindle nut sockets in the toolbox drawers :D )

38377k5 said:
No special tools to install them, in fact, the handful that I've installed all went on pretty much like factory and just by pushing them on by hand. No drama.

Not a speedi sleeve, he's asking about the special two piece hub seals that we carry.
Click to expand...

Sweet, thanks!


-- A
 
dremu said:
Thanks for replying!

A smidge of grease on the spindle does sound reasonable for the inner rubber surface. I'll also run some emery paper or something over the spindle surface so it's less nasty =))

When you say "Pressed them into the hub as usual", is that like with a mallet on the metal bit, tapping gently around the circumference, or other?

-- A
Click to expand...

I used a hand press, but a large piece of wood and a mallet to tap around the edges would work fine. It's just a seal, install it.
 
Bringing this back up as I see one of my seals leaking, but I already have a speedi sleeve on it. Do I need to remove the speedi sleeve to use these?
 
bp71k5 said:
Bringing this back up as I see one of my seals leaking, but I already have a speedi sleeve on it. Do I need to remove the speedi sleeve to use these?
Click to expand...

I seem to recall it being a royal PITA to get the speedy sleeves off, so I wouldn't. IIRC, these are two piece, so the inner half will just sit against the speedy sleeve like it would on the spindle. Maybe lube the inner surface, but it should just kinda magically work.

-- A
 
Yea, I "lock-tited" the speedi sleeve on so I'm assuming that would take while to remove cleanly. And the seals really do seal better?
 
I replaced one today. I found a nice way to remove the speedi-sleeve is to score it with a sharp box cutter blade and then used pliers to grab near the score area to tear it. Once it tore, I was able to peel it off easily.

The new seal pressed in fine and I just used the spindle nut to seat the hub back on the spindle.
 
bp71k5 said:
I replaced one today. I found a nice way to remove the speedi-sleeve is to score it with a sharp box cutter blade and then used pliers to grab near the score area to tear it. Once it tore, I was able to peel it off easily.

The new seal pressed in fine and I just used the spindle nut to seat the hub back on the spindle.
Click to expand...

Do you have to remove the sleeve? I'm glad this thread was revived as I have never seen these seals until today and I gave one axle that seeps no matter what I do.
 
89yimmiJ said:
Do you have to remove the sleeve? I'm glad this thread was revived as I have never seen these seals until today and I gave one axle that seeps no matter what I do.
Click to expand...

I had the same thing, speedi-sleeved one side that still never sealed. I had to remove the speedi sleeve to get the good two piece seals on, but no leaks since :thumb:

They are kinda spendy but totally worth it, I'll never put a stock 14 bolt seal back on anything. After I almost caught a tire on fire at Blazer Bash '12 (gear oil leaked onto brake, then drove it to the trail), one of the guys at ORD mentioned that they found better seals for those. First day back I swapped them on, then the next day I convinced them to put them on the website.
 
I also wanted to ask what the general consensus on the effectiveness of these seals was but that's a pretty convincing testimony about them.

The main thing that had me wondering about how good they were was that I couldn't seem to find much discussion on them when searching the web. I plan to order a pair though. About to rebuild a 14b to swap into my 85 K10. Only thing being reused is the housing and diff cover.

Anybody know who the manufacturer of these seals are? Just didn't want to end up with some made in Taiwan seals for that kind of money.
 
I just swapped a set in mine after having the speedi sleeves. They are holding up great so far. The old seal leaked a bit on my nice new tires. :(
 
1977k5 said:
skf
Click to expand...
I know this is an old post, but for reference sake are these the same seals that GM is using on the 2002 and up 14 bolt (10.5 ring gear)? The AC Delco part is 291-319, or gm 15823962. I just installed two of these as I could get them locally, and do not wipe against the spindle, but rather rotate within the seal itself. Just wondering for future reference if the ORD ones are even better. Most dealers charge 34 a piece for the mentioned seals, so ORD is still a better buy!
 
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