I failed to take a picture of which way the grease seal on the front hub was installed. My unreliable memory tells me that the larger lip was facing outward towards the tire. I would like to make certain I have it right so if anyone recognizes the seal and knows which way is correct, pleeeeze let me know.

Side view; larger lip to the right

This would be the left side in the side view

This would be the right side in the side view

 

Flat side out - i.e facing the stub - your new one looks nothing like your old one - nor mine.

This is mine still in situ, not sure if this helps.

 

That is the OEM factory seal, metal and felt; quite excellent and everlasting. Nowadays, you just get a fancy plastic oil seal type of thing, Ben.

 

Then I shall ensure to retain it - I take it they aren't available any more - modern isn't always better. I don't intend to replace the bearings I'm just cleaning them out to check them, that and throw some paint at the hubs, replace the discs - and check the stubs.

 

Dont forget some pictures... we want to see those painted hubs....

 

Here's some starters - I've done the anti roll bar too but forgot to take a picture - the subframes covered in sandblaster dust, the paint is Frost extreme chassis, I deliberately have not powder coated because it is too hard to patch up and rust hides underneath it .... if anyone is really interested in my insanity I could fire up a project thread. Done the lower wishbones too but don't seem to have a picture of those either



Subframe

Subframe a bit closer (it is sat on top of a 5KVA generator and a fire blanket)

Various suspension bits - please disregard the mess - I sprayed these on a mobile clothes rail so I could do outside but still roll into the garage - the antiroll bar was suspended between two tall step ladders.


Calipers fully rebuilt using stainless pistons, both were split and sandblasted, painted with high temp paint then oven cured then re-assembled.

an d yes the calipers are on the dining table - 'er indoors is away for a few weeks

 

Looks great Ben. I take it the Frost stuff is durable and tough?

 

The Frost stuff is pretty good, whether it is the best is open for debate, where it wins is that I can buy in in aerosol form also for touching in although I do have a spot repair gun it isn't always breaking it out for tiny spots. Underneath that black paint is Bilt Hamber Electrox which is a high zinc primer - very high zinc. The cavities will be filled with Dynax S50 but they have already been subjected to rust treatment followed by primer and to some extent paint where possible, can't do much more. I intend to overspray with a clear underbody wax but I will not be using underseals of any kind - I don't like them - they cause more damage than they prevent (it all looks pretty while the rust has a field day out of sight.

 

Here's another picture of the seal in question



This is the later style seal, CBC2858, used on XJSs with ABS brakes as well as XJ40s, X300s. They are notoriously difficult to deal with. They're not installed into the hub as we're accustomed to on the non-ABS cars. You slide 'em onto the stub axle and then install the hub over the seal....hoping that the three 'ribs' will slide into the hub. You'll ruin a few, and invent new blasphemies, trying. Eventually you'll find a set that'll fit....as it appears some are made a bit bigger than others, perhaps?

I fought this battle and vowed to forevermore simply reuse the existing seals.

Cheers
DD

 

Well, Doug, that answers my question. By a narrow margin, and assuming there is no substantial voter fraud, the seal is installed with the beveled side inward and the 3 shorter ribs toward the tire [meaning that I have them backwards]. Doug, would you say that the orientation of the seal, meaning whether installed correctly or backwards, will or will not impact the location of the hub on the stub axle?
I guess I should have ordered several in anticipation of my ineptitude in figuring out which way they go, and the prospect that they will fight back even when installed correctly.

 

Ben the parts look great, where did you get the stainless pistons?

I always enjoy build threads as they are great to get ideas from and copy the build process... so keep them coming!

 

I got the entire kit from a company called Bigg Red they supplied a kit that includes everything down to the caliper half seals so that you can split the calipers and do a decent job. I bought a complete car kit, the calipers at the back are new so I've left them alone for now.

Caliper Kit - XJS