Cuffs (seals) used on GAZ-66, GAZ-53 cars

On GAZ-5ZA and GAZ-66 vehicles, rubber reinforced cuffs (oil seals) with a spring are used to seal the shafts of the units

During the operation of vehicles, periodically check the leakage of oil or grease through the lip seals.

The best operating conditions for a lip seal are when the lip allows a small amount of oil to pass through and oil “fogging” forms around the lip.

Minor oil leaks that do not affect the oil level in the unit and do not entail the need to add oil between oil changes according to the lubrication chart are acceptable and do not need to be repaired.

Often the causes of oil leakage through lip seals are not related to the seal itself.

These include:

- increased oil level in the unit;
- water getting into the oil, which leads to its foaming and an increase in the level during operation;
- contamination of breathers, the outer caps of which should rotate freely and have a small axial play;
- severe oil contamination, which leads to the ingress of abrasive particles under the cuff and the appearance of scratches on the sealed shaft.

When disassembling a unit that has a lip seal, inspect the lip seal, mating shaft and flange.

The cuff should remain elastic, the working surface of the cuff should be smooth, and the working edge should be even, without snags, chipping, fringe, burrs and other defects.

There should be no cracks or delaminations on the working surface and the working edge. Check by pressing your fingers.

The cuff should fit snugly into the socket.

Before assembling, grease the working surface and the working edge of the cuff with a thin layer of grease.

Install the cuff into the socket without distortions.

The correct installation of the cuff is achieved by pressing it on the press with a mandrel.

The mandrel should have an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cuff, so that at the end of the pressing, the mandrel with its end rests against the end of the socket and the cuff is installed with its outer end flush with the end of the socket.

When replacing the cuff, a worn shaft or flange must not be paired with it.

If there is a small wear under the cuff on the surface of the shaft or flange, they can be polished, and if there are significant risks and nadir, they can be replaced.