replacement for seal between the wheel hub/bearing assembly and sterting knuckle

[LMHmedchem]

Hello,

I am getting ready to replace the steering knuckles on my 2002 4.6L 4WD. I have 2 used knuckles that I have cleaned up and painted the dust shields with POR-15 rust block. I also have 2 used hubs and haven't decided if I will use those or switch out the ones that are already on my truck.

When cleaning up the used hubs, I notice that there is the remnants of some kind of rubber seal at the base of the part of the hub that fits into the knuckle. The knuckles have a slight chamfer around the edge of where the hub inserts and that is probably there to receive the seal. Looking at new hub/bearing assemblies online, I don't see any sign of such a seal on the new part. That part of the hub is just plain metal and there isn't a seal listed in the parts list. I also don't see any such seal on pictures of a new knuckle. This must be a separate part but I don't see it clearly listed on the parts diagram.

Looking at the parts diagram here,

FRONT SUSPENSION, LOWER CONTROL ARM, STABILIZER BAR, SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, UPPER CONTROL ARM

There is a seal listed as part number 2 in the diagram,

Ford 1L2Z3K070BA Dust Hub Seal ($11)

This might be the correct part, but there is no way to tell from the diagram. The part picture is no help really, as it typical of these stick figures. The actual part is much smaller than what is pictured. There are no similar parts listed on RockAuto or other sites.

Can anyone let me know if this is the correct part?
Is the seal necessary?
Could I use instant gasket, or silicone, or some other sealing material if I can't find the correct part?

Thanks,

LMHmedchem

 

[drdoom]

For some reason I think it's RTV, but let me look it up in the FSM.
EDIT: My manuals are for 2005 models, so I can't be of any help. For 2005 if there is a seal, it must be part of the hub.

 

[fordysenior]

Both my factory front hubs had that seal on it, but the replacement parts did not have it or come with it -- including the Motorcraft replacement hub assembly. I considered it as "excess" -- such as the noise insulator under the manifold. But I could be wrong.

 

[LMHmedchem]

For some reason I think it's RTV, but let me look it up in the FSM.
EDIT: My manuals are for 2005 models, so I can't be of any help. For 2005 if there is a seal, it must be part of the hub.

I am surprised that the manuals are different for the same generation. I guess they made some significant changes after the first couple of years. Thanks for checking anyway.

Both my factory front hubs had that seal on it, but the replacement parts did not have it or come with it -- including the Motorcraft replacement hub assembly. I considered it as "excess" -- such as the noise insulator under the manifold. But I could be wrong.

So your guess is that I can just ignore the fact that the seal is gone?

It would be typical for them to leave a corrosion prevention seal off of a replacement part. By the time you need new bearings, Ford probably doesn't want your truck to be rusting less if there is anything they can do about it. Maybe they just decided it wasn't necessary in the first place.

Should I apply a band of a high temp silicone,

Permatex 81160 High-Temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket ($7)
Loctite Superflex Red High Temp RTV Silicone Adhesive Sealant ($8)

or should I not bother?

LMHmedchem

 

[fordysenior]

I live on the West Coast where we really don't have much issue with rust. I don't see how some Sealant would hurt, and it would give more protection if someone lives in a rust belt area.

Two links of someone doing the replacement of the hub assembly.


Neither link mentions a new seal or any sealant, and both don't use any sealant -- the second one shows a better job of cleaning the surfaces, but no sealant or seal even though he does mention cleaning up some factory sealant. So maybe Ford used sealant at initial building of the vehicle but it doesn't look like it was where the seal was -- it looked like where the surfaces contacted each other.
And my Chilton manual made no mention of the seal or any sealant.

 

[imp]

This "seal" being talked about here: I noticed them when I replaced my front hubs: 4X4 4.0SOHC. They are called out as "dust seals", intended to keep dust out of the bearing area, enclosing the gap between the bearing hub and the end of the CV Joint cup. New hubs did not have the seals. Judging by their appearance and design, I doubted they are very effective. Clearances between the parts allow enough movement between them that even a smear of RTV Siicone placed there will not be effective in excluding dust.

 

[LMHmedchem]

This "seal" being talked about here: I noticed them when I replaced my front hubs: 4X4 4.0SOHC. They are called out as "dust seals", intended to keep dust out of the bearing area, enclosing the gap between the bearing hub and the end of the CV Joint cup. New hubs did not have the seals. Judging by their appearance and design, I doubted they are very effective. Clearances between the parts allow enough movement between them that even a smear of RTV Siicone placed there will not be effective in excluding dust.

I don't believe that this is the seal I was asking about. The seal that I am seeing on my old part is not between the hub and CV joint but about an inch further out between the hub and the knuckle. Here is a picture,

The red arrow is pointing to the remnants of a rubber seal or gasket of some kind. This is where the hub/bearing assembly inserts into the knuckle. The CV joint would sit on top of the hub as pictured. The remnants of the rubber seal pictured above is the part I am trying to replace. For this location, sandwiched between the hub and knuckle, I do believe that a bead of RTV silicone would be acceptable replacement if it is required.

My original post asked a question about Ford part number 1L2Z3K070BA to inquire if the was the part I was looking for. I believe that Ford 1L2Z3K070BA is the part you are mentioning and is a different seal that goes between the end of the hub and the end of the CV joint. from the picture on the website, Ford 1L2Z3K070BA looks like the correct size and shape to be the seal you are referring to. It would be nice if the parts diagrams properly indicated the fitment of each part. I will probably find what is left of the seal you are referring to when I remove the old knuckle. This means that I have another seal to deal with if the one that is on the truck now is not in good enough shape to reuse.

I agree that I can probably do without either of these parts, but I live in New England where there is a tremendous amount of road salt used in the winter and it's hot, humid, and rainy in the summer. I likely pay more attention to seals and shields and such as compared to folks who live where rust is less of a part of life than it is here.

LMHmedchem