I've just removed my uprights (Sierra) and stripped them for a good scrub, but there's something bothering me. When I removed the bearing races from the front of the upright the apature seemed to be too small. As a result I have damaged the thin metal return that retains the bearing seal. It's hard to tell, but is this return an integral part of the upright, is it replacable or have I just ruined my hubs?

[Edited on 3/5/04 by Chris_R]

Do you have any pictures - description is difficult to visualize?

only poor quality webcam shots tonight. Will be able to get some good quality digi cam pics tomorrow though.

might give you an idea.
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images saved in archive
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Looks as if the outer part of the old oil seal is left in the upright. This should lever out with a screw driver and you can replace it with a new seal when you have finished cleaning and painting. The upright is very solid and you would need to give a real bashing to wreck it as long as you did not damage the bearing areas.

as Zetec says, that's just the remnant outer part of the old seal, you're ok!

Grab it with some sidecutters and twist it. It will break. It's easier than levering it and you can't reuse it anyway

I assume the rear hubs are similar:



from the middle out:
silver bit is bearing
blue bit is rubber part of the new seal
gold-ish bit is the thin metal bit of the new seal
then it's part of the hub.

cheers lads, you're a cracking bunch. It's a little rusted to tell if there's a join, even after spending 4 hours in the electrolysis bath. Still, thanks again.

took a while, but it's out.
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