Sabo Main Seal Installation Trick? ["Solved"]

[Phaedrus]

So, this one is new to me. I typically use the composite main seals for all of the T4s I work on, sometimes the solid orange ones, depends on what the supplier has. I've never tried the Sabo, haven't had issues with leaks.

I was wooed by my readings to try out the Sabo main seal on my own van (1986 wbx). Normally, on every other main seal I've ever installed, a little tap tap tap with a 8oz hammer around the edge of the seal will get it to slide into the bore, easy. Drive it home with another old seal to get it to bottom. Done.

For the life of me, I could not get the Sabo seal to even want to start in the bore. A tap on one side would pop it out on the other. I tried all I could but it would not start and I ended up buggering the seal (probably still fine, but I don't like the looks of how it got a bit chewed).

Anyways, either my bore is somehow smaller than every other wbx out there, or this thing just fits suuuuper tight... What's ya'lls trick for installing? I've never had to use a seal driver, but I suppose I could purchase one for next attempt. I've read using a small piece of wood and tapping in the middle to apply even pressure can do it. At this point I'm skeptical that the seal even fits at all. It is visibly, like, <.5mm larger OD than the other ones... but, I'm probably just not doing it right. New seal is on order.

What's the secret?
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1986 WBX (Tin Top Camper)

[DanHoug]

i have a new, buggered Sabo also. it helps to chamfer the leading edge of the seal hole make sure the seal and bore are dry and free of any oil. being dry counters conventional wisdom but otherwise the Whack-A-Mole game ensues. some rubber on the rim of the seal shaved off when it went in, i worried about the uneven rim pressure causing sealing issues but everything is fine, no leaks.
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[borninabus]

the SABO seals are a tight fit, that's why they work so good
use a schmear of grease on the OD and don't worry about it if some of the seal gets shaved off when installing. at least i never have...
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88 Van WBX, A/T - 13 JSW TDI 6M/T - 2012 Touareg TDI Sport

[Bulli Klinik]

I had a similar problem. Chamfering the edge will help it slip in.

Check about halfway down:https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=40
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I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[Phaedrus]

Thank you all Very helpful! Will try a chamfer and more even force.
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1986 WBX (Tin Top Camper)

[Wildthings]

I set the seal in so it seems cocked to begin with. The one side is halfway o r more into the bore while the other side is just starting to go in. I then hit the high side of the seal at about a 45° angle. Never had a problem installing seals this way.

[seventyfo]

Smear a couple drops of permatex aviation around the outside
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85 Vanagon GL Westy GW 2.2 (Rebuilt by YT)


"I don't know you well enough to care about your comments". Watkins Cravey

[Phaedrus]

Thanks for the tips, guys. Did a combo of things that led to easy success this time around: very light smear of oil around the OD, chamfered the bore, tapped in with a piece of wood large enough to apply even pressure with a 16oz hammer. Started in the position Wildthings described. It was still tight, but went in pretty easily.

I may have gone with some aviation sealer if I had had to reuse the old seal or had a different, low-quality seal, but the Sabo is plenty fat and tight as to not needing anything extra, imo.

Cheers,


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1986 WBX (Tin Top Camper)