Here we go, another EZ lube debate!

js6343js6343 wrote:
I guess I will check to see if I have a double lip or single lip seal when I pull the inner bearing tomorrow.

Here are some pics of a single and double lip seal with the garter spring used in trailer axles.

The double has this spring energizing a sealing lip against the shaft. There is also a single wiper seal in front of it as the first line of defense against dirt etc.



Here is a cross section chart. The double used in trailers looks like the lip design TB2


Here is anther image of a double lip seal with spring. This is from SKF, a big name in the industrial world


The single seal, looks something like this. I cannot find on the web easily the exact single seal used in trailer axles use but this is close. No spring, just a flexible wiper to help keep dirt out. The outer casing is different then shown in this pic


The spring design adds a great amount of benefit as it keeps the sealing lip engaged against the shaft and helps with an level of internal pressure blow by and external pressure pushing dirt in.

The cost between the trailer axle double and single is pennies, yet they still sell the single and install them on non brake axles. This comes back to making thousands of axles as a cost point you can save funds. The end user I'm sure would be glad to pay the difference if they knew about it.

Basically, look to see if the spring is in your seal. That is a first tell tale sign.

Hope this helps

John