grease seal or oil seals

[texas c]

I have been packing bearings for years and havent't had much trouble. I was buying some seals the other day for my boat trailer and the ones I had always used had the little spring ..which I found out were called oil seals. The parts man told me I should use grease seals [no springs] . I wound up buying the grease seals but I have questioned myself ever since I made that decision. Does anyone know if it makes any difference? I haven't found any post concering this before and I'm going to use the one I bought [to far to take them back] ..I guess they both work == all they do is keep big rocks out anyway--just joking!! Thanks- have a GREAT DAY !!!


Modified by texas c at 1:50 PM 6/17/2009

[G3Jim]

Have always used double lip seals with the springs around the circumference. Never heard them called "oil seals." Place where I buy them specializes in trailers and recommends those for repacking greased bearings. I'll go with what they say. Could you have put on single lipped seals?

[LookOutForShoals]

Don't quote me on this, but I think those single lip ones, are for over the road trailers that don't really need to be water proof. I know my friends use them on there boat trailers, but I wouldn't even consider putting one on my boat.

I know a lot of auto shops if you ask for a grease seal for a boat they will give you the single lip cheap seals.

[texas c]

The place I go to specializes in trailers and hitches...and actually the guy said there wasn't any seal that would keep water out if you backed your trailer into the water. I don't know where you can get doubled lipped seals...I have never heard of them of used them. I am sure they would help some.

[rangerguy]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by texas c &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The place I go to specializes in trailers and hitches...and actually the guy said there wasn't any seal that would keep water out if you backed your trailer into the water. I don't know where you can get doubled lipped seals...I have never heard of them of used them. I am sure they would help some. </TD></TR></TABLE>

All Ranger trailers come from the factory with double lip seals and you can order them from their parts department if yours are the same size as a Ranger trailer axle.

[texas c]

Rangerguy: I have an old Ranger boat, 1990 481-V and I was having trouble with tire wear. So...I put a heavier axle on my trailer because one of my spindles was out of line and at the "trailer place" they talked me into putting in a heavier axle. I have had all kinds of trouble with my Ranger trailer...springs breaking, tire wear, etc. I did like their grease set up through the hubs...I replaced seals on it but did not order the seals from Ranger...got them from a boat place and they did have the little springs in them. I had trouble with a seal that had started leaking on the new axel and I replaced it with NAPA, ie Napa seal. I couldn't find one that would fit it, much less a double lipped seal. I try to take care of my problems before "road problems."...it doesn't always work out that way. When I talked to Ranger at the factory...when I was having trouble with my axle, they weren't much help. The dealer had quit carrying Ranger. A lot of the Ranger dealers in my area do not carry Ranger's anymore. Guess they got too expensive.
The reason I posted is that I didn't realize that they called the one with the spring an oil seal.


Modified by texas c at 5:01 PM 6/17/2009

[Lyn O. Dyer]

Always use the double lip spring seal, for grease or oil...

[texas c]

Where do you get your seals ??