M46 rear seal options

carnut222

I'm about to replace the leaky rear seal in my M46. I have 2 options - one (left) is a standard spring-loaded black rubber encased seal from a CVI M46 kit, and the other (right) is an SKF steel housing seal with co-moulded seal lip and no spring. I think I know the answer - but just wondering what others have used with success. I'm inclined to use the SKF seal…seems like it would be easier to get it flush since the metal lip would stop it going in too far etc. Thoughts from the brains-trust? Also should I smear a little silicone around the outer edge of the metal carrier (in the green area) to ensure it seals on the aluminium M46 housing, or is that overkill?

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Major Ledfoot

Not really a brain trust member; I'm more of an armature child. But my 2c worth?
I'd be more tempted to use the SKF seal, and give it the tiniest bit of sealant around the mating surface to the overdrive. The SKF version appears to have a small lip facing the outside of the seal, whereas the black CVI one does not.

dmc

Is there a groove on the shaft? the space where it actually seals looks quite different between the seals. The steel base seal looks to be sealing further down the shaft than the rubber one. Regarding the sealant, maybe some stag would be an option, steel to steel bonding and bullet proof.

timbo

The SKF seal is the correct style of output shaft seal. As you have noticed it has the extra dust seal to protect the inner lip, and the metal case makes it more robust. The smear of silicon is overkill

carnut222

Thanks guys. All done. I did smear a thin layer of silicone on the interface between the overdrive housing and the seal metal ring for "good measure". Fingers crossed it doesn't leak. Just waiting for another 4l of Type F ATF to be delivered as I ran out and it's not quite topped up.