Help with axle seal

O ring placement is crucial, sometimes when assembling the ring shifts....Search You Tube and watch a video to confirm you are assembling it right. Another thought ... with replacement kits the paper gaskets are not cut correct and the large center hole needs to be opened slightly, if forced on it may tear just enough to allow a slight oil leak.

Yes! The two paper gaskets SHOULD be different but aren't. The one that goes behind the backing plate is the problem. I put them on dry. I take 4 large nuts and use them as spacers. I place the gasket on and then the backing plate. Carefully put a seal retainer bolt in using the large nut as a spacer. Carefully and evenly tighten all 4 until the gasket cuts. Then back them off and remove the extra gasket material. Install the rest as per Bentley. Make sure the weep hole in the gasket and the seal retainer is on the bottom. I use a 2" PVC pipe flange to push the seals in. It can be done on a press or with a vice. Leave the hammer alone, put it back in your toolbox.

I've done it this way 4 times and haven't had a leak there. In fact, I've only had one swingaxle leak, and that was the other end of the axle flanges on the trans.

These three videos on rear hub removal and reassembly are helpful:

DannyP posted:

Yes! The two paper gaskets SHOULD be different but aren't. The one that goes behind the backing plate is the problem. I put them on dry. I take 4 large nuts and use them as spacers. I place the gasket on and then the backing plate. Carefully put a seal retainer bolt in using the large nut as a spacer. Carefully and evenly tighten all 4 until the gasket cuts. Then back them off and remove the extra gasket material. Install the rest as per Bentley. Make sure the weep hole in the gasket and the seal retainer is on the bottom. I use a 2" PVC pipe flange to push the seals in. It can be done on a press or with a vice. Leave the hammer alone, put it back in your toolbox.

I've done it this way 4 times and haven't had a leak there. In fact, I've only had one swingaxle leak, and that was the other end of the axle flanges on the trans.

Aww, I love using the hammer.  I’m trying to picture what you are using the spacers for. It has been a long time since I’ve worked on it.

How can I get a hold of Anthony?  I don’t know his last name and forgot the name of his shop.  Thanks much for the help guys!

I'm using the nuts to take the place of the seal retainer, which hopefully you cleaned and installed the seal in already. You only want to put that on once. 

The Bentley manual clearly shows the order of the parts assembly so follow carefully. It's really not that hard of a job, and changing shoes more of a dirty job than adifficult one.

Frank, here's the link to Anthony's Classic Auto Werks.

From the Samba:  https://www.thesamba.com/vw/fo...ewtopic.php?t=484605

Hello, my shop number 530-887-0800 or email me at tony@anthonysclassicautowerks.com.  

Sometimes we fine that the spacer for which the seal contacts may have a groove or burr that causes the seal to leak or seep. As mentioned in previous comments the o-ring placement is important along with the washer.  Another cause can be your disc brake kit if you have that. The stamped steel  ones are not always very flat or true.

Thanks Anthony, I’ll call you Monday.  I’ve got drums in the rear and I looked all the parts over pretty well before I put it together but when I get it apart, I will check that spacer again. I wish I could remember which series I have so I could get the parts before I take it apart. I know it has the weep hole because it is leaking out of it.

Ah, videos are always useful for sanity check.

Here is a copy of all those parts taken from some manual.  Reliable assembly of all related parts was giving me fits and I got plenty of tips from Al Gallo ( thanks again, Al...) and studied that Aussie lad on Youtube till I was blue in the face. He and others will harp on how important it is to not let the large O ring get even a bit dis-logged upon final assembly. The pisser is you won't know if it became dis-logged until you finish the job, fill the tranny up with oil and go for a ride and take a look see for a leak. 

I used a different strategy which was WAY easier and I think it will preclude any chance of the large O ring becoming dis-logged. Here's my method. Get everything squeaky clean, lubed up where necessary, then assemble in this order. 

Get the backing plate organized in the correct location, install the inner spacer on the axle, followed by the bearing, then the small washer, then the small O ring. Then take the bearing retainer / cap and install the oil slinger, the seal, the outer spacer into the seal and then the large O ring and finally the gasket. Don't even think about putting the large O ring onto the axle end where it may become dis -logged. Put it in the cap where it cannot become out of position and where it will wind up anyway. Pre-assemble as much as you can into the bearing cap. Easy and it works.

I found that the backing plate would want to spring away from the axle tube a bit because of the springiness of the brake line so a helper would be nice right then to keep it perfectly in place while you slide on the bearing cap assembly. I didn't have a helper and it came out ok anyway because you can hold the backing plate with one hand and just slide on the "pre-assembled" bearing cap on easily with the other hand. 

Here's another diagram of those parts and it includes the order of assembly. I think my order of assembly is easier and less prone to damaging the large O ring and gasket upon final assembly. 

The gasket and seal kits come with two gaskets for each wheel. I think I read that the two seals are supplied for use with a Bus. I don't think there is supposed to be a seal behind the backing plate on a swing axle Beetle. 

I've had/have the SAME problem and have replaced the seal 5-7 times (I've lost count) and continue to have a leak.  I've put on disc brakes on the rear but had the problem when I had drums; I paid some local "European" shop do the same job to the tune of $450.00 (Atlanta people stay away from Rocco's) and continue to have the same leak. I'm taking to a local VW guru this week.