SADfab MR2 Hubs installation problem
#23
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Toronto Area, Ontario
Posts: 327
Total Cats: 95
Well, I called the Mazda dealership and tried to order two seals.
After identifying the vehicle the parts guy said after a minute or so "There is no seal on the axle at the knuckle/hub end".
I then explained how there were seals.
He then explained that the bearing had a seal, and that's all there was.
I hung up thinking I was going to need to bring a seal and a diagram over to the dealership, so he would know what I was talking about.
Then I thought to look at ebay listings to see what used hubs had on them. There were very few for sale, but many more that had been sold which I reviewed.
Surprisingly, the 2004 and up models, did not have seals on them and from the dirt and rust, looked like they never had a seal. (I saw examples of 2002 having a seal, but nothing later)
So at this point, I am thinking that 2004 and later axles do not have this seal.
After identifying the vehicle the parts guy said after a minute or so "There is no seal on the axle at the knuckle/hub end".
I then explained how there were seals.
He then explained that the bearing had a seal, and that's all there was.
I hung up thinking I was going to need to bring a seal and a diagram over to the dealership, so he would know what I was talking about.
Then I thought to look at ebay listings to see what used hubs had on them. There were very few for sale, but many more that had been sold which I reviewed.
Surprisingly, the 2004 and up models, did not have seals on them and from the dirt and rust, looked like they never had a seal. (I saw examples of 2002 having a seal, but nothing later)
So at this point, I am thinking that 2004 and later axles do not have this seal.
#34
Pos-cat left @ post#23 for oreo; as another MSM owner with these hubs (to be installed when I get time), you've saved me plenty of grief figuring this out.
It's definitely worth looking at the factory manuals for these details for confirmation BEFORE starting the job (might have been tempted to use the hammer on it if I didn't know better).
hi-Im_sean, can you please mention this in your thread/instructions and/or cross-reference this thread since it also affect late-model NBs, not just MSMs?
It's definitely worth looking at the factory manuals for these details for confirmation BEFORE starting the job (might have been tempted to use the hammer on it if I didn't know better).
hi-Im_sean, can you please mention this in your thread/instructions and/or cross-reference this thread since it also affect late-model NBs, not just MSMs?
#36
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 214
Total Cats: 67
No seals!
My car is still sitting on stands after installing the SADFab mr2 hubs with seals. I too cannot move the wheels without difficulty once hub bolt is torqued.
Mine is a 2003 NB (not MSM) and there were no seals in place on the old hubs. I had put this down to previous intervention rather than design.
Glad this has been clarified.
edit: I pulled the seals out of mine last night, and although the wheels have turned only a handful of times, it is clear that the seals had been clamped and grinding against the taper described above and did not fit, and Having removed them and torqued to the hub nut to spec, all spins freely.
I recently acquired a late ‘03 from a lady in her 70’s (read: mechanically untouched) and quick peak underneath reveals no seals between the axle and hub/upright.
Mine is a 2003 NB (not MSM) and there were no seals in place on the old hubs. I had put this down to previous intervention rather than design.
Glad this has been clarified.
edit: I pulled the seals out of mine last night, and although the wheels have turned only a handful of times, it is clear that the seals had been clamped and grinding against the taper described above and did not fit, and Having removed them and torqued to the hub nut to spec, all spins freely.
I recently acquired a late ‘03 from a lady in her 70’s (read: mechanically untouched) and quick peak underneath reveals no seals between the axle and hub/upright.
Last edited by The Australian; 11-16-2019 at 03:28 PM. Reason: New info added
#38
WTF are you talking about?
Well, I dunno.
Mine were installed on my 2004 MSM as delivered eons ago, and this was not an issue. While I did have an issue, it was not related to this (dag on the spline).
To be sure, I will check the ease of rotation next time it is up on stands. Now that I think of it, it will be up on the hoist next week ...
Mine were installed on my 2004 MSM as delivered eons ago, and this was not an issue. While I did have an issue, it was not related to this (dag on the spline).
To be sure, I will check the ease of rotation next time it is up on stands. Now that I think of it, it will be up on the hoist next week ...
#39
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 214
Total Cats: 67
Well, I dunno.
Mine were installed on my 2004 MSM as delivered eons ago, and this was not an issue. While I did have an issue, it was not related to this (dag on the spline).
To be sure, I will check the ease of rotation next time it is up on stands. Now that I think of it, it will be up on the hoist next week ...
Mine were installed on my 2004 MSM as delivered eons ago, and this was not an issue. While I did have an issue, it was not related to this (dag on the spline).
To be sure, I will check the ease of rotation next time it is up on stands. Now that I think of it, it will be up on the hoist next week ...