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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 465
| Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
Most here agree, the U-nail replacement seal is anemic and over priced! I purchased the solid ring seal and committed to applying a different approach towards replacement. It involves slicing the intact ring with an Exacto knife (in any fashion that might prevent grease leakage) and drilling or melting (with a hot needle) several holes that would except "braided fishing line". 40# test. Once placed over the shaft, thread the line back and forth thru the holes and tighten. I ensure no water entry, apply a heavy drop of CV boot sealant over the stitched joint before tightening the eight bolt backer ring. I did this to both drivers and passenger side many weeks ago. It's holding up very well. It buys you some time before you need the total steering knuckle rebuild.
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Titus Pullo
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2007
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Vehicle(s): '90 Wolf 240GD, '06 G270 CDI.
Posts: 1010
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
what is the seal part #? |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3006
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
Let us know how it holds up, I need to do the same job myself |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
There is a factory split seal and a u-shaped pin that holds the ends together. The ring even has holes in it to keep the break at the position.
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
AlanMcR - 4/13/2015 10:32 PM
There is a factory split seal and a u-shaped pin that holds the ends together. The ring even has holes in it to keep the break at the position.
Mentioned in the OP's post. That factory split seal is not very effective, and lets excessive amounts of grease out of the swivel ball. Been there and done that. NOT recommended! |
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Inkblotz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3186
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
I personally see no benefit to any split seal other than saving a little time.
To replace the seal:
1. Remove the caliper
2. Remove the ABS sensor (if you have one)
3. Remove the 8 bolts (next to the wipe seal) holding the housing in place
4. Then pull the entire assembly (with axel shaft) out.
5. replace seal
6. then slide the axle into the hole and bolt everything back together.
No need to touch the bearings, no special tools needed.
Mark
NHDave I do like your creative approach though.
Edited by Inkblotz 4/14/2015 7:15 AM
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
DUTCH - 4/14/2015 2:51 AM AlanMcR - 4/13/2015 10:32 PM There is a factory split seal and a u-shaped pin that holds the ends together. The ring even has holes in it to keep the break at the position.
Mentioned in the OP's post. That factory split seal is not very effective, and lets excessive amounts of grease out of the swivel ball. Been there and done that. NOT recommended! Mine came to me with a split seal on one side. It didn't leak out grease noticeably more on that side than the other. My concern was that it might leak in water on deep crossings. A heavy dollop of sealant would probably help that.
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
Inkblotz - 4/14/2015 7:14 AM
I personally see no benefit to any split seal other than saving a little time.
To replace the seal:
1. Remove the caliper
2. Remove the ABS sensor (if you have one)
3. Remove the 8 bolts (next to the wipe seal) holding the housing in place
4. Then pull the entire assembly (with axel shaft) out.
5. replace seal
6. then slide the axle into the hole and bolt everything back together.
No need to touch the bearings, no special tools needed.
Mark
NHDave I do like your creative approach though.
+1 on this procedure, although on the left side in #4 you may have to rotate the assembly to clear the diff lock internals. The same is probably true for #6. |
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460332
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Europe
Vehicle(s):
| RE: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
DUTCH - 4/14/2015 4:51 AM
Mentioned in the OP's post. That factory split seal is not very effective, and lets excessive amounts of grease out of the swivel ball. Been there and done that. NOT recommended!
Many tries the split seal, but forget the U-pin too - what did you? |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
460332 - 4/14/2015 7:38 PM
Many tries the split seal, but forget the U-pin too - what did you?
I used the split seal with the U-pin. Not at all satisfactory - excessive grease passed by the seal, especially in the area of the split. |
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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 465
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
I've noticed (during assembly) the wiper seal really needs to be stretched to reach its proper seating position, "making the solid ring a better choice for tight sealing."
I carefully watch my stitched seam (expecting a blow out) as it was forced over the knuckle. It didn't look overly stressed at all. I think it's going to fly for some time!
When I removed the old leaky wiper seal, It looked as though someone bought a split ring, placed it over the knuckle and then cut a 1" piece of the old ring to fit in the empty space created by not having a solid ring seal made to stretch in place.
Time will tell, keep you posted!
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
DUTCH - 4/14/2015 4:42 PM 460332 - 4/14/2015 7:38 PM Many tries the split seal, but forget the U-pin too - what did you? I used the split seal with the U-pin. Not at all satisfactory - excessive grease passed by the seal, especially in the area of the split. I guess I don't understand how any significant grease would leak. The split is up at the top where the grease is just a film. If it gaps, it does offer the opportunity for water to get in, hence the need to add some glop.
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
NHDave - 4/14/2015 10:44 PM
I've noticed (during assembly) the wiper seal really needs to be stretched to reach its proper seating position, "making the solid ring a better choice for tight sealing."
Definitely. The larger metal split ring forces it to stretch evenly in place against the swivel ball for a better seal. |
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Inkblotz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3186
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
Sorry I left out one step.
The king pin and steering buckle arm bolts and bearings will need to be removed. Taking care to to keep the spacers (if present) with its bearing.
This is what really keeps the housing in place.
Mark
Edited by Inkblotz 4/18/2015 6:35 AM
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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 465
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
The steering knuckle is to protect the rubber CV boot from stones and debris, the seal is to keep water out not grease in. In my case, I have had black grease leaking, which means my rubber CV boots are shot!
When I have a good chunk of time to burn, I'll rebuild the knuckles.
Apon my seal replacement, I removed the grease plug and unloaded a package of CV grease into each of the knuckles, buying some time. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
NHDave - 4/18/2015 8:48 AM
The steering knuckle is to protect the rubber CV boot from stones and debris, the seal is to keep water out not grease in. In my case, I have had black grease leaking, which means my rubber CV boots are shot!
Possibly, but not necessarily. It depends on what the previous owner or his service tech used to top off the swivel balls. |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
NHDave - 4/18/2015 5:48 AM The steering knuckle is to protect the rubber CV boot from stones and debris, the seal is to keep water out not grease in. In my case, I have had black grease leaking, which means my rubber CV boots are shot! When I have a good chunk of time to burn, I'll rebuild the knuckles. Apon my seal replacement, I removed the grease plug and unloaded a package of CV grease into each of the knuckles, buying some time. Adding grease to the swivel ball area does not make up for a broken CV boot. The CV spins sufficiently fast to throw out all of the grease through even the smallest break. Grease can't get back in until the CV stops, and then only if the break is quite large.
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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 465
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
AlanMcR - 4/18/2015 10:04 AM NHDave - 4/18/2015 5:48 AM The steering knuckle is to protect the rubber CV boot from stones and debris, the seal is to keep water out not grease in. In my case, I have had black grease leaking, which means my rubber CV boots are shot! When I have a good chunk of time to burn, I'll rebuild the knuckles. Upon my seal replacement, I removed the grease plug and unloaded a package of CV grease into each of the knuckles, buying some time. Adding grease to the swivel ball area does not make up for a broken CV boot. The CV spins sufficiently fast to throw out all of the grease through even the smallest break. Grease can't get back in until the CV stops, and then only if the break is quite large.
My boots felt like they where totally separated from the joint. With that said, why do we need to remove the plug on the knuckle housing to check the grease level? The grease used in the knuckle is thick and light colored. Does that grease settle to the lower half of the cavity? If so, why use a CV boot, just use CV grease as the drive shaft and CV is half submerged already? CheersJust curious |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
The axle ball grease doesn't come close to filling the hollow space. When the axle is spinning an unbooted CV will fling off all the grease and operate unlubricated. One long freeway trip might be all it takes to kill it. A properly installed CV boot will be nearly full of specialized grease, with just enough air to handle expansion.
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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 465
| Re: Steering knuckle wiper seal replacement
AlanMcR - 4/18/2015 8:13 PM The axle ball grease doesn't come close to filling the hollow space. When the axle is spinning an unbooted CV will fling off all the grease and operate unlubricated. One long freeway trip might be all it takes to kill it. A properly installed CV boot will be nearly full of specialized grease, with just enough air to handle expansion.
I clearly understand what your saying Alan,, how the slightest breach in a CV boot, at high speed, will quickly expel the recommended grease capacity from the contained area. But what's puzzling me is, why has it been mentioned to remove the plug and check the grease level within the knuckle? Logic says, no need to do so? Thank you for answering once again! I mean no disrespect to such a fine seasoned member Sir Alan! NHD |
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