Area Representative Tin Man Posted August 25, 2008 Area Representative Share Posted August 25, 2008 I have just noticed that the front felt seal is hanging out of the bearing (1999 K Series) & I can see into the bearing case. Can I just replace the felt seal, or will I need to replace the complete front set? Thank you John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave McCulloch Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 John I had the same last year. You can buy just the felt seal on its own. You'll need to remove the front hub assembly (for which you have to remove brake caliper - but no need to break the fluid circuit - you can slide the brake pipe through the wing stay far enough that you can tie the caliper up out of the way), remove the old felt seal (from memory it sits on a metal "collar" and then drift the new collar into the back of the hub and reassemble. Whilst I had it apart I cleaned out the old grease, cleaned up the parts and refitted with fresh grease. From memory, all done - including cleaning up and replacing grease - in a couple of hours. Dave All Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardOlive Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I can't believe we still have to use felt seals in this day and age - isn't there a more modern solution? Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashaughnessy Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 What's wrong with felt seals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Nothing. Still used in all sorts of machinery - sometimes, the simple things are best. K.I.S.S. 😬 Bri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Do soak the felt in oil for a night before you use them otherwise they are dry and may stick and rip out. Add lightness, says the man with a VX :-) My 2002/2003 racing pics here General pics (mostly of 7's and cars). here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Not sure about soaking in oil. I did this to a brand new pair and they both ripped out in no time. It may have been the oil was a bit thick (don't say it!) but the felt fell to pieces. Since then I've used the same grease as the bearing, just on the face of the felt, and they've been fine ever since. You can get good quality seals from: Nigel Tovey of Strand Bearings (one man band) at Goring by Sea, phone: 01903 - 241621. If you post him a cheque, he'll post the seals out to you. Tell him its the felt seals for a Caterham 7 wheel bearing. These are a good fit, unlike the CC ones I had where the steel ring doesn't fit properly and falls out of the hub. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 The new uprated hubs use a more modern seal. I had one of the older type felt seals that repeatedly failed, turned out the Stub Axle was bent and cracked, good job it went at slow speed at Abbeville, not at Goodwood two Weeks previously Mark Edited by - F355GTS on 27 Aug 2008 14:00:03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Tin Man Posted August 28, 2008 Author Area Representative Share Posted August 28, 2008 I bought the new seal from Caterham and it is different to the old one. The old one just fell out , but the new one needed to drifted in to place. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham bass Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 Ring Rimmer brothers - triumph parts. They'll post them out, very efficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 Standard Triumph (no pun intended) part - any Triumph specialist should have them - my favourite bing James Paddock - £1.85 I seem to recall. I bet the old one needed drifting in when it was new too . . . Felt survives a lot longer in such an application due to the dust and lubricant making a very nice abrasive paste - lip seals don't tend to like such environments. A fully sealed bearing, as I understand the upgraded version to be, is working in a slightly different, and cleaner, environment. Bri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodfell Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Fitting new front bearings today and the new metal collar to which the felt is attached - supplied by CC - is a very loose fit. As soon as I position the hub on the stub it just falls off. Is this a problem or will it be held in place sufficiently once I have tightened the castellated nut to the stub? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsport06 Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Please excuse my ignorance, I have an 06 Roadsport with standard brakes. Will my car have the uprated hubs and therefore no felt seal? I ask because one of my winter jobs is to check and repack the bearings (10k miles use now) BRG and Yellow nose now with added brooklands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Woodfell, this is the self same problem that I had with the CC seals. The Strand Bearings seals (see my earlier post) are a much better fit and mine have been in place for over a year without budging. You might be able to keep them in situ by using a centre punch to lock them in but I would just get some that fit properly. They're cheap enough and whilst you've got the hub apart anyway, why not fit a good'un? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodfell Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 Thanks - I'll call them on Monday. A bit annoying that the CC ones don't fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Fitting the last one, I tried sitting it on the hub nice and square, bit of grease round the outside of the steel collar, then tapping it with a lightweight hammer on opposite faces in turn around the circumference - impossible - too easy to damage/distort it. In desperation, put an inch thick flat bit of wood across the felt and hit it hard with a big hammer - kapow - in place and seated in one blow ! Job done. So, forget being a gentleman ... just use the Aussie foreplay ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodfell Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I had it seated properly - it was flush - and used the old metal collar to drift it in with a big hammer. However, it just drops out. I called Strand Bearings - as recommended earlier - and they are sending me a couple COD. I'll report back on their fitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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