Is it possible to replace the felt seal with a modern Nitrile Oil Seal and is the correct size 1½” x 2½” x ⅜” (25015037)
and Is there anything else that I need to do when replacing the seal?

The reason for this is that grease has been getting onto the brake pads causing it to judder severely under braking so I took the hub off and cleaned everything up before refitting which cured the issue but there wasn’t half a lot of crud behind the shoes.

Location: Wet & Wild Cumbria

Hi Dave,

it sounds to me like the inner diff seal has failed.

I now replace to original diff seal with these: https://www.theaustinsevenworkshop.com/products/ra0140a-differential-modern-lip-seal

Another seal exists that does away with all the cup, washer and cir clip assembly, it is pressed or glued in place, I have tried these but found that the machining inside axle tubes varies a lot and often they drop through.

I change the original hub seals with these: https://www.theaustinsevenworkshop.com/products/ra0139a-hub-seal

I would suggest that you replace both.

It is possible to do the differential seals without removing the axle completely and I am happy to talk you through the process I use if it helps, you know the number!

Hi, Ruairidh,

I should have mentioned it's just the front hubs that I have the problem with and now that I've cleaned them I'm OK it's just a thought that could the felt seals be replaced with Nitrile.

Location: Wet & Wild Cumbria

I understand Dave.

You can use the modern hub seals shown above in both the front and rear hubs. Consider using maintenance free sealed bearings, no danger of over lubricating them, as this is the most likely cause of the leak you have.

Cheers,

R

The original Austin recommendation to fill hubs with grease and top up is extreme. Modern grease does not melt. Nor does it oxidise and dry, Packing the races alone and adjacent whenever the hub apart is adequate for cars not waded. The seal need not then do much more than keep out dust. The wheel bearings are large for the car and it seems wasteful to replace unnecessarily. (Taper rollers squeeze out grease and on other cars operate with mere traces of oil from the grease in the actual race. Ball races effectively recirculate grease back into the race)

The rear hub seals are a different matter due the risk of diff oil entering.

What is the experience with modern hub seals supplied? Do these fit neatly the housing or do these need to be glued? Do the seals accommodate the ridging and huge range of wear experienced?

Location: Auckland, NZ