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MG MGA - Swivel Link Seals

When installing the seals on the trunions, what is the proper order technique?

PHOTO 1: shows the 3 components in question: Thrust washer, Seal-link & Support-link seal (support washer)
--As received

PHOTO 2: shows the support link seal inserted into the seal then placed covering the thrust washer

PHOTO 3: shows the support link over top of the seal then placed covering the thrust washer

PHOTO 4: shows the way the workshop manual illustrates, ( I think) the support sits on top of the thrust washer then the seal (as shown in the manual) attaches –small end first- and turns inside out, covering the support washer

Hmmm.... which is correct? are any of them correct?

The last one seams to give a nice seal but I don’t want to have to do this again because grease is leaking .

-Bruce


B Suelzle

Photo 2

B Suelzle

Photo 3

B Suelzle

Photo 4

B Suelzle

Small diameter seal on the trunion, cupped washer sits with dome outwards in larger diameter part of the seal. The disc washer sits under the dome between the cupped washer and the trunnion

so as running order inside the seal:

Trunnion
Flat washer
Cupped Washer

With large diameter seal opening fitting to cupped washer


Hope that's clear.....



dominic clancy

Bruce,

The #2 photo is correct. The seal is not absolute. When you pump grease into the trunion, grease will push out from under these seals.

As Dominic points out, the order of the inside washers is critical. The inside flat thrust washer is hardened and rests on the distance tube. The distance tube is slightly longer than the trunion bearing so when all is bolted up tight, the distance tube and seals can rotate with the suspension.

If the trunion bolt is loose, the extra movement will wear elongated holes in the a-arms. For more information see Barney's site, www.mgaguru.com.

John
jjb Backman

OK, so similar to Photo 3 but without turning the seal inside out. The small end of the seal and the small end of the seal support point in opposite directions with the small end of the seal going on to the trunnion. Seams to work, nice seal, no inside out, ok I'll buy it.

Thanks Dominic.

The diagram in the manual should show the seal going on first.

If there's a way to screw it up I'll find it.

-Bruce
B Suelzle

Hi John, we must have been typing at the same time.

I do understand the thrust washer sit against the distance tube then the support washer goes over, it's the seal that's troubling.
If I understand Dominic correctly he's say the small end of the seal goes toward the trunnion, whereas photo 2 show the small end way from trunnion. The seal on the trunnion is poor.

This photo show what I describe above. Basically photo 2 with the seal flipped over.

What do you think?

-Bruce

B Suelzle

It's all quite clear in the Shop Manual. Image attached

John DeWolf

With the poor quality rubber in some parts they may rot and fall off before the car hits the road. Mine did.
R J Brown

Bruce,

Dominic is correct, small end of the seal goes toward the trunion. In the attached pic you can see some grease that has pushed out from underneath the seal.

John

jjb Backman

Thanks John, Yes that's the way I've got them, simple when you know how ;-) .

-Bruce
B Suelzle

This thread was discussed between 20/06/2009 and 21/06/2009

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