Wheel bearing seal question.

[Damion]

I think I have the incorrect wheel bearing seal for my W108 280SE.

I am wondering if anyone here has a picture of the inner wheel bearing assembly. (Front wheel).

All three manuals I have shows the racer then tapper bearing then spacer ring and then seal.

My wheel bearing "kit" from B&B auto just came with racer, bearing and seal. No spacer ring.

When I took off the hubs the passenger side had the same rubber seal that B&B sold me. Oddly enough the bearing was stuck on the spindle.

The drivers side however had a seal that was in a metal ring. The bearing and seal came off with the hub on this side.

I am assuming this metal seal is the proper one.

Any kind of a picture would be greatly appreciated.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

I recently replaced the front grease seals on my '60 Fintail. I checked my factory repair manual and there are two 'rings' used with some of the hubs. The part my manual calls a 'spacer ring' is used on early versions of the front spindle. It serves as the shoulder on the spindle for the rotating seal to wear against. According to my manual, it's pressed onto the spindle and shouldn't come off easily. Later versions don't use a 'spacer ring' but have the shoulder machined on to the spindle itself. The 'spacer ring' isn't sold with the bearing or seal kits and isn't usually replaced unless it's missing or damaged.

Inside my hubs, between the grease seals and the inner bearings, there was another metal ring. My manual calls it a 'puller ring'. I believe it's to prevent damage to the grease seal when you pull the hub from the spindle.
Some cars don't have this part. I didn't need new 'rings' so I re-used mine. Hope this helps. Unfortunately I have no way to post a picture.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[Damion]

Well not only did my local parts guys (3 different stores) have the
incorrect seals listed, but allso the incorrect wheel bearings.

Got the right ones in from the dealership. Wheel bearing repair kit. I know I could have got the kit cheaper on the net, but decided to just get the right part from the dealer and save time.

Hope to have her out on the road in time for a Sunday drive.