Spicer 18 seal thoughts...

Hi everyone,

I've got a rather minuscule question for you to ponder. I just finished a rebuild of a spicer 18 transfer for our CJ-2A, and haven't torqued on the rear brake drum/flange yoke yet. I put in new double lip Timken seals on both the front and rear outputs and I am thinking about ditching the felt washers that go on the back of the output yokes. They were probably initially used to provide some dirt protection to the output seals and soak up minor oil seepage, but seal technology has come a long way since the spicer 18 first came out so I am not sure that these are even necessary anymore.

My second thought is that I use the jeep as a regular driver and for trailriding, so the potential of the jeep being partially submerged is not out of the question here in Wisconsin, and I figure if these felt washers get soaked with muddy water they may just do more harm than good anyway. I'm thinking I'm going to ditch these felt washers, what are your thoughts? Do you see any reasons to keep them in?

Thanks in advance,
Daniel

 

I installed it in my D18, also lightly RTV'd the output shaft shims(edges)to prevent 90wt from leaking out and trashing my e brake shoes.. It's just a judgement call. Deal or No Deal!

 

I Agree with willynut, a little RTV bead before the yoke then a bead before the washer and nut.

The oil will seep out the spines.

 

Hi,

Sealing the yoke splines and nut is not a problem with permatex 2 on the back of the yoke washer and red locktight on the inside and back of the yoke nut, also, I have found that the red aerosol spray gasket works best on the rear outputshaft shims and does not affect the end play significantly, and doesn't make a mess like rtv,

....but I was previously referring to the large round felt washers that go in the dust shields on the back of the output yokes on the spicer 18 cases, sorry if there was some confusion.

Daniel

 

I prefer to use the old 3 piece set-up..
but we are dry and dusty, no mud/water crossings to speak of where I frequent

 

Just for consideration but even if they do get soaked with mud/water, wouldn't they sling it off as they spun at highway(or whatever) speed after you get out and back on the road? Also aren't they another barrior to stuff getting into and damaging the seals?

 

Ok I need help, I'll bring this back since this is the closest I can come to my answer.
Being me new at this, what's the seal arrangement? My kit comes with the felts and the seals, I didn't see felts in the old transfer case.
Does it go, transfer case, seal, felt, yoke?
Or...?
Thanks

 

The felt actually goes inside the metal hood on the back side of the yoke!!

 

In the dust shield...?
Whoa, I was off... Dang! Ok, does the metal seal sit flush with the surface or does it sink down in some?

 

Sammy if I understand you question right. The metal and rubber lip seal goes into the rear housing. There is a cardboard or paper gasket that goes in 1st if I remember correctly, add a little sealer to both sides of the gasket and then press the seal all the way down until it bottoms out.

 

That's how I did it on the front, but it seems a bit deep. Maybe a picture will help?
Here's the seal bottomed out...

And here's the felt seal, now in the dust shield, thanks Mike

Doesn't that seem bottomed out too much?
And does the paper gasket serve any purpose?

 

You have it right. As far as the paper gasket not really sure what they were thinking back then but they had a reason and I still follow it more from habit than understanding what that had in mind.

 

I was wondering myself. It seems the seel is in there so tight that the pressure and friction would keep any oil from seaping around the sides, rather than past the yoke...

 

I'm on the other side of the coin. I don't use them. It doesn't harm anything to use them but just one more thing to collect grit imho. No one uses them now. Seal and materials technology has come a long way and as long as the seal surface of the yoke is in good shape and discreet use of rtv is used then no issues. Remember back when these were built they were using leather instead of rubber and they didn't have wonderful chemicals like RTV and thread locking compound that we have today.

 

I cut the felt seals in half so they are thinner and put them INSIDE the case. It keeps the oil from dripping out very well. So far no leaks on both my D18's.

 

I don't know about no one using them... I still use 'em! haha. I use my jeep on a farm, it goes through muddy fields, water, you name it.. When I pull those felt seals out one side is dirty and nasty, the other is clean. So it's got to be doing something good!

 

I meant no manufacturers use them any more.... I guess I should've clarified.