Front Axle Seals

[Eric McKinley]

I removed the front backing plates on the front axles a few weeks back go get them powder coated.
When I did this I noticed that the small round rubber seals on the link pins where beginning to perish.
I decided to change them today.
The drivers side link pins came out easy enough and the rubber seals and spacers where replaced.
However the upper link pin on the passenger side was a lot harder to remove, after a bit of hammering the end of the link pin was flattened slightly which slightly scored the king pin on removal.

I do plan to replace this Link pin, however how critical is a bit of scoring on the King pin?

Many Thanks as always for any replies.

[Vic Skirmants]

I am very confused by your reference to "small round rubber seals" on the link pins?
VW used "small round rubber seals", but Porsche did not. Am I missing something in your description?

[Eric McKinley]

Vic,

Have a look at the centre of the image.
The larger washer has the rubber seal which from what I have read protects dirt from getting into this part and fouling the other smaller washers.
But as you mention I could have it wrong, however I ordered the part from the PET.

[Eric McKinley]

Vic,

Here is a picture of the PET, number 32 is what I refer to as the rubber ring, described here as the sealing ring.

In your experience do you believe what I describe with the King pin would cause any issues.

Many Thanks.

[Vic Skirmants]

You are correct. My confusion was caused by your term "small" versus large.
Your description of the kingpin:
"However the upper link pin on the passenger side was a lot harder to remove, after a bit of hammering the end of the link pin was flattened slightly which slightly scored the king pin on removal.

I do plan to replace this Link pin, however how critical is a bit of scoring on the King pin?"
Has me confused again; do you mean the link pin bushing? In that case, if the scoring is not severe, it should not be an issue. The "king pin " is part #40.
I am not being pedantic, but correct nomenclature is critical to understanding and helping.

[Bill Lawless]

Vic,

Have a look at the centre of the image.
The larger washer has the rubber seal which from what I have read protects dirt from getting into this part and fouling the other smaller washers.
But as you mention I could have it wrong, however I ordered the part from the PET.

Hi Eric, I was searching for that rubber seal, centered in the picture, I see Stoddard sells them but nobody has the "special spacer/washer". It looks like for
rubber seal to work you need to replace the outer .5mm spacer with this new .5mm spacer with a larger outside diameter to hold this rubber seal in place.
Where did you get that larger spacer??

-Bill

[Eric McKinley]

Hi Bill,

It’s been a couple of years since I did that job, my memory is terrible,
Tell me the number if the part you refer to in the numbered picture above, if you have the part number even better, I’ll go through my receipts and see who supplied it.

[Bill Lawless]

Hi Bill,

It’s been a couple of years since I did that job, my memory is terrible,
Tell me the number if the part you refer to in the numbered picture above, if you have the part number even better, I’ll go through my receipts and see who supplied it.

The Link Pin Seal, #32, Stoddard sells, but there is a larger diameter washer/spacer that holds it in place as seen in your pictures above.. I can find that washer to hold it, I assume it needs to be 1/2 a millimeter
thick, just like the spacers and replaces the outer one to hold the seal.

Screen Shot 2019-06-11 at 8.46.28 AM.png (287.87 KiB) Viewed 1360 times

[Eric McKinley]

Bill,

I see what you mean.

I have just gone into the garage and opened a rear axle seal kit, these came from Sierra Madre, part number 644.34.402

This if I am not mistaken is the washer you refer too, the large silver one on the left.

There is also a full set of instructions in each kit to help with the job.

[Dick Weiss]

Not mentioned is the kingpin carrier (C-link) which is used as the same VW carrier, but the co-bored faces are removed to flat-contact the trailing arm eye-faces which are refed to 7,0mm + or - 2-shims
and are sealed w/the shaped shim to retain the rubber seal protecting the shims; The VW carrier
uses a slightly smaller shaped shim to retain the O-ring. The carrier should be matched to the 7,0mm
+ or - ref. w/the linkpin shims to prevent possible binding.

[Dick Weiss]

Eric,

The kingpin wouldn't get scored while removing the linkpin. The end of the linkpin left a
slight groove in the linkpin bushing(?), but it can be redressed along w/its bushing--if the
pin's diameter is OK.

Dick

[Bill Lawless]

Bill,

I see what you mean.

I have just gone into the garage and opened a rear axle seal kit, these came from Sierra Madre, part number 644.34.402

This if I am not mistaken is the washer you refer too, the large silver one on the left.

There is also a full set of instructions in each kit to help with the job.

Thanks Eric,
Guess I'm not following, The kit you show is for a REAR axle.. But we were talking about the Link Pins Seals on the front suspension..

Here is the seal that Stoddard sells: https://www.stoddard.com/64441409-2916.html.html
Are you says the same washer can be used? It would have to be 0.5mm thick so it doesn't mess up the spacing..

[Bill Lawless]

Bill,

I see what you mean.

I have just gone into the garage and opened a rear axle seal kit, these came from Sierra Madre, part number 644.34.402

This if I am not mistaken is the washer you refer too, the large silver one on the left.

There is also a full set of instructions in each kit to help with the job.

Thanks Eric,
Guess I'm not following, The kit you show is for a REAR axle.. But we were talking about the Link Pins Seals on the front suspension..

Here is the seal that Stoddard sells: https://www.stoddard.com/64441409-2916.html.html But this does not come with the washer???
Are you says the same washer can be used? It would have to be 0.5mm thick so it doesn't mess up the spacing..

[Eric McKinley]

Sorry Bill, my bad, a senior moment,

I will look at the part and get back to you.

[Bill Lawless]

Sorry Bill, my bad, a senior moment,

I will look at the part and get back to you.

Hey Eric, I found them.. The picture was very fuzzy on Stoddard and I thought they were something else.. But Thanks