Which way do the linkage and swing arm seals go in?

VilluEST

New member
Hi! I'm changing the swing arm and linkage bearings and I don't have o-rings there. It seems to me like someone has installed the seals on the link wrong way, because they are not the same way as for example the ones for wheels. The seal lip is against the needle bearing so there is no grease gap in between. So my question is, are they supposed to go that way or should I put new ones in the other way to have the gap for grease? The new ones have metal body exposed on the inside of the seal which can corrode easily so my guess is it would be better to install them the same way as wheel bearing seals.
 
Install them with the lip facing out. Your main goal is to keep water and grit out.

RB
 
I just called my local dealer and he told me the factory was installing them the lip side in, for some reason. He wasn't exactly sure why, but it might be because these seals have only one lip as opposed to wheel bearing seals having two. Despite the fact, he said it would be okay to give it a try and install them lip out and stuff the gap full of grease.
 
Or swap it out to use O-rings that are better. 20x from Fleebay costs nothing.

I have always thought that good seals are way better in keeping water and dirt off than O-rings, though, they will wear much sooner?

Here in Estonia we have wet riding conditions most of the time. I actually found my bike had O-rings on the swing arm, but not on the linkage, and the swing arm bearings were full of water and rust. So I'd rather change seals more often than have water in bearings.
 
I have always thought that good seals are way better in keeping water and dirt off than O-rings, though, they will wear much sooner?

Here in Estonia we have wet riding conditions most of the time. I actually found my bike had O-rings on the swing arm, but not on the linkage, and the swing arm bearings were full of water and rust. So I'd rather change seals more often than have water in bearings.

Newer GG uses O-rings, and not lip-seals. Dont know with KTM/husaberg, but I am guessing it works better.
 
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