Front diff driver's side seal install question

[6716]

Ok, the seal has teeth on the back side of it, and the part it pushes up to on the diff has the same number of gaps of about the same size, so it looks like I ought to try to match those up except ... I won't be able to see how well they match up since the seal will block the view.

Just best guess it?

I will say I am pleased the $15 seal puller yanked the old seal easily.

 

[linneje]

I am going from memory as it has been years since I put that seal in on mine. I believe that it was discussed on the old site, and the teeth did not line up (even though it looks like it) and you don't need to worry about it. Some poster tried to estimate where to line it up by putting marks on the seal and the carrier housing, but then a different poster showed the number of teeth were different anyway. IIRC.

 

[gmcman]

Are the marks you are seeing just from the old seals contact point?

 

[TJBaker57]

Aren't those teeth there to hold the bearing preload adjuster in a given place? I may not be using the correct terminology. I think the piece behind the seal is threaded and adjusts load on the bearing behind it or am I thinking of something else?

 

[6716]

Looks like they are actually not the same number of teeth/spaces

 

[Mooseman]

I think only a couple of those tangs need to engage with the bearing pre-loader's teeth. Not sure if it's to prevent the seal from turning or vice-versa.

 

[gmcman]

Ahh, when I replaced mine I failed to notice that. Does the seal have enough deprh to contact? Forgot if the seal bottoms out or sits flush.

 

[6716]

The old one looked like it was sitting flush. But then the old one looked like it leaked too.

 

[Mooseman]

IIRC, it sits flush.

 

[6716]

Flush-ish. The old one was just slightly recessed, this one is just slightly tall. But it seems to be in as far as it wants to go.