Hi, Just doing a front axle replacment on MY83Wagon. When I removed the CastleNut/Washer/ behind the Cone Washer I fine this tangled mess that looks like a 1mm spring, about 4in long and was probably round but now a mess.

 

What is it ? I have never seen one before.

 

Thanx

it fell out of the outer bearing seal. i assume you found this after rmoving the rotor? anyway its what holds the seal tight against its sealing surface

 

you should replace that seal and inspect the bearings

 

 

Hi, Just doing an front axle replacment on MY83Wagon. When I removed the CastleNut/Washer/ behind the Cone Washer I fine this tangled mess that looks like a 1mm spring, about 4in long and was probably round but now a mess.

 

What is it ? I have never seen one before.

 

Thanx

Are these easy to replace ? What damage could I be doing now, without it ?

Thanks Miles

Regards Paul

you will have to pry out the old seal to replace it. it wont hurt anything but it could allow contaminates to get into the wheel bearings

 

the bearings will last as long as the seals do, so if you got a bad seal replace it before it ruins the bearings

 

but you may as well do the bearings if its gonna be apart, for peace of mind

Thanks for the replies