Crank Hub Inspection - Pics
 

I just removed my crankshaft hub because it seems to be leaking. The seal was replaced about two years with, as far as I know, a stock seal. Now it appears there is quite a bit of wear on the hub and I need to know if I should replace the hub, or if the "repair" seal will work, since it rides on a different location. The project began as bad alternator (not regulator) and I decided to remove my water pump and housing to fix the sheared of bolt from a couple years ago.

The job so far has been easier than expected. Should I get a new hub $80 (Febi Brand), or just a repair seal?

Here are a few pics:

http://www.godspeed22.com/benz/crank1.jpg

http://www.godspeed22.com/benz/crank2.jpg

http://www.godspeed22.com/benz/crank3.jpg

http://www.godspeed22.com/benz/crank4.jpg

Kinda looks like you've already had the repair seal on there and now it has worn it's groove in the hub too... I'd get a new hub if I were you.

When I did my front seal a couple years ago, I put the new hub in the same time.

Your local autoparts store can may have or can get an SKF speedi-sleeve that presses on your worn hub and gives you a new stainless steel surface for the seal to ride on.Takes a couple of minutes to install.I use them all the time in marine transmission repairs and consider them to be better than a new part as they dont rust and wear the seal. Don

My neighbor mentioned something about that. Would something like that require a different size seal?

No special seal required,the sleeve is thin, just fits a bit tighter. I have used alot of them for years and never had a problem with one. if you decide to use one get accurate measurement of the diameter of the hub,most sizes are available in different widths to cover the worn area. Don

If I recall correctly on another forum ForcedInduction said there is a repair sleeve already made to fit the Mercedes Hub.
I think I also saw them forsale at one of the internet part seller.
But, I cannot remember any details.

The wear shown in that photo looks a bit excessive... I'd fork over the ~$80 for the new aftermarket hub. Not worth repeating this job down the road.

BTW, I would only use a new OE/dealer seal. The seal p/n was updated nine times (seriously) and the current p/n is 023-997-84-47, which is very different in design than the old/original seal. I'm not sure if the aftermarket seals are the same design as OE or not. The OE seal is only $14 list (~$11 wholesale) so it's not really worth messing with. I found a note at one vendor saying that this current seal has Teflon in the lip instead of (?) Viton. Dunno how accurate that is. See photo below, note there is no mini coil spring putting tension on the lip as there was on the old/original seal design.

:euro:

http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/hir...9978447ELR.JPG