Oil Seal, Outer Fulcrum, IRS, S1, 4.2

[Phil P]

Hi. I’m just about to start reassembling the IRS, outer fulcrums and have a couple of questions:
1. How is the felt oil seal supposed to work? If the Container(C20179) for the seal is cup outwards (towards the nut), what does the felt do?
2. Should it be soaked in oil before assembly?
3. If I go to the SKF seal, 11124. Do I still use items 23 and 24 as shown in the photo?
Any help would be appreciated… I’m now just waiting for a warmer day to preload the bearings.
Yours,
Phil

[abowie]

1. A pertinent question, but one best answered by someone from the 19th century. It (probably) decreases grease leakage. Interestingly, and equally pertinently, modern suspension components are not made of felt (compacted rabbit fur). Read into this what you will.

2. I don't but given the fundamental foolishness of using animal fur on a critical suspension component it probably doesn't matter.

3. Probably. These two act to support the compacted rabbit fur annulus. I haven't used that modern seal myself.

Sorry to be flippant, but having rebuilt dozens of IRS's over the last 10 years, the stupidity of the sealing arrangements surprisingly doesn't seem to impact on their function.

I would, and do, continue to rebuild them with the rabbit fur.

[mgcjag]

Hi Phill...I agree with all that Andrew says above......i havent used the lip seal but its mentioned quite a lot in similar posts if you search...it should be fairly obvious which parts are/not used as you assemble.......im not convinced that the lip seal brings much to the party..........very important to check/fit the outer shims correctly.....you fit the assembled carrier into the outer wishbone ....measure the side/side movement and shim.....this involves sliding the shaft in/out to fit the shims....i know quite a few who didnt understand this part of the setuo and didnt shim.......full and very good details in the service manual.........

[Gfhug]

Don’t tell the millennials or they’ll want those felt seals banned and all E Types taken off the road until vegan alternatives are fitted

Geoff

[Phil P]

Thanks Andrew and Steve for your advice, it's always sound and appreciated. I enjoy a good bit of flippancy before breakfast!
Yours,
Phil

[abowie]

Thanks Andrew and Steve for your advice, it's always sound and appreciated. I enjoy a good bit of flippancy before breakfast!
Yours,
Phil

Sorry for that. I'm currently in Covid isolation.

Except that as an anaesthetist I'm a critical worker so I have to go to a hospital for work, but not the bottle shop.

[Phil P]

Hope you're OK. I suspect it's an occupational risk.
Phil