Seals for wheel hubs

The classic application for shaft seals of all kinds! On the good original star hub, it was still cork sealing rings that kept the grease in the bearing. But already on the Sportster models and their predecessor, the model K, modern oil seals were used on the rear hub alongside ready-to-fit groove ball bearings.

Speaking of hub bearing seals: the ball bearings with sheet metal or rubber covers aren’t really sealed. Yes, the covers keep the grease in the bearing and dust particles out, but water from e.g. steam jet cleaners or heavy rain storms may pass the seals. The result: frequent wheel bearing changes. So if you have a Harley from 2000 onwards - whether Big Twin, Sportster or V-Rod - that has to make do without oil seals in the wheel hub ex works, you should be careful with high-pressure washing and steam jets in the area of the wheel hubs.