An oil seal, also known as a shaft seal or dirt seal, prevents lubricants such as oil and grease from escaping along a rotating shaft. Oil seals are an important component in preventing leaks and contaminants from clogging various engines, pumps, and pipelines.
Installing and replacing oil seals can be a daunting task. But with the right knowledge, the results can be good. Here are 8 tips to guide you on what to look for when working with oil seals. Read on for more information.

oil seal

8 tips to keep in mind when installing or replacing oil seals

1. Follow the instructions in the manual

When installing a product, people often ignore the instructions because there is an idea that we can do it ourselves. However, oil seals are fragile devices that require attention and specific instructions to be followed before and after use.
Mechanical seals, like oil seals, can be easily damaged during installation. Taking the time to read the installation manual will provide you with step-by-step information on the correct installation or replacement of oil seals.

2. Use the correct lubricant

Various machines have different components that, when combined, work together as a whole. The equipment will not last forever and will eventually deteriorate through use. The use of mechanical lubrication protects these machines from deterioration while maintaining their designed function.
However, using the wrong type or not applying sufficient lubrication can lead to machine damage, equipment failure, and leaks. Therefore it is important to choose the correct lubricant for your machine.

3. Check for damage before installing seals

Before installing the oil seal, check the seal carefully for damage. Make sure there are no cuts or tears around the seal lip, which is the two layers inside the oil seal.
Another thing to consider is the outer diameter of the oil seal. Any damage detected prior to installation will make it impossible to use further.

4. Installing a new seal

Never use a used seal in another project as it may develop defects such as cracks or bubbles in the seal lip previously used.

5. Keep it clean

First, wash your hands before handling the oil seal. This is because dirt on the sealing surface or oil in fingerprints can compromise the integrity of the seal, while small particles can cause wear and tear, damaging the sealing surface and leading to leaks.
Secondly, do not unpack the seal unless you are ready to install it. After opening, the seal face must be cleaned before installing it on the equipment to prevent contamination.
Finally, ensure that your equipment is clean. This is because dirty equipment can affect the effectiveness of the oil seal.

6. Ensure that the oil seal solidifies

Oil seals require sufficient time to solidify and cure. Premature use of equipment with newly installed oil seals can compromise the integrity of the oil seal and may damage your machine. Refer to the supplied instructions for the time frame allocated for the seal to cure.

7. Selecting high-quality oil seals

Investing in quality seals will benefit you and your machine in the long run. The cost of replacing oil seals will be higher as cheaper alternatives are constantly being purchased. Not to mention, the efficiency and quality of low-cost oil seals may not be reliable.

8. Sealing correctly

Failure to install oil seals correctly can lead to failure. Factors such as knocking the seal into place may cause its spring to tilt in the bore or be out of alignment. Consider switching to a solid adhesive and applying it around the surface of the spring to prevent it from loosening.
One way to identify a seal that has not been fitted correctly is to check the rough shear of the rubber. To resolve this issue, align the mounting tool before positioning the seal in place.

Xingtai Honglei Seal Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a professional oil seal factory with over 18 years of experience. We have exported our oil seals to over 100 countries and their feedback has been excellent. If you are looking for a reliable supplier of oil seals, we are probably the best choice.
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