48" deck spindle seal orientation
 

I'm working on a Gt 48" 317-190 deck spindle.

When I popped the old seals out, I noticed the lips on both seals were facing inboard. Is this correct? Seems to me it would lock the cavity and not allow grease in the cavity.

Can't wait. Going back together just like I found it.

I see there are a lot of people who read your post/s and you have no answers.

I can't speak for anyone other than myself, but I don't know if I understand what you are saying about the grease not getting into the cavity.

The hole in the center of the spindle shaft that the grease is pumped into terminates well in between the seals.

The seals should be put in so that when you add grease it can push past the seals without actually pushing the seal out of its seat.

I hope this helps.

My non professional opinion is that you will be taking it back apart and turning one of the seals over to allow fresh grease to be pumped into the bearings. :beerchug:

I appreciate the belated opinions!:biggrin2:

I think Sam Mac is right but I didn't do it that way.

A long time ago, I rebuilt a 50" deck for an older model and I turned the lips I/b and then couldn't add grease.:biggrin2:

Looks like these bearings/races are also used as the outer wheel bearing for '60's Nova, Camaro, Chevelle front wheel bearings. I packed them just like wheel bearings so I shouldn't have to touch them for 30-50k miles or so!

My mistake, guess I don't know what a Gt 48" 317-190 deck spindle is.

At the RPM a spindle turn, it won't take long.......

I know what it's like needing an answer, but in all fairness, you only gave 2hrs. :bigthink:

An update. I still don't know what is right or wrong.

I do know that I have put bearings in three decks like the original post specified Since I posted this question.

Two of them had the seals with all three seal lips facing inboard. One of them had two seals facing inboard and the center spindle seal was facing outboard. FWIW, the seal that was put in with the lip facing outboard was torn up, obviously by grass/weeds winding around the spindle and getting under the protective cup.

I don't see how one could expect the seals to live with the seals facing outboard?