Excluder/Dust seal on B-series?

dwbaily · Nov 19, 2016

I understand that the B-series Mazda is a Ford Ranger with different name badges for the most part so I post this here to see if any of you guys can help out. :icon_confused:

Am about to tear into my '02 B4000 4x4 front suspension to replace those seals that I understand are officially called excluder seals. It's those seals that the CV axle goes thru in the knuckle. Mine started making a crunching type noise and I can make it stop temporarily by sticking a screwdriver in from the back and move it but it comes back eventually so am gonna rip into it and replace both sides. My service manual, if I'm interpreting it correctly, makes it appear they are called knuckle oil seals and calls for a couple of special tools (205-399 and 205-400) to install them. Does anybody know if these are the same seals I'm describing above? Anybody have any tips/cautions before I get knee deep into it? Thanks in advance.

dwbaily · Nov 20, 2016

Hmmm....almost 50 views and no replies. Anybody? :sad:

adsm08 · Nov 20, 2016

Maybe it's because nobody has a clue as to what you are talking about, and instead of coming off a rude or stupid, or wasting space on the forum to tell you they don't know they just don't post.

I have no clue as to what you are talking about.

dwbaily · Nov 20, 2016

Thanks for the reply. Guess when and if somebody that has dealt with this situation sees my post they'll reply. Just thought it was more prevalent on Rangers/B series trucks when I was trying to research it. What I read about the sound is its more of a metal on metal type noise but from the same place that I have it. Hopefully somebody will get back to me that's fixed it on theirs.

don4331 · Nov 20, 2016

Can you take a couple pictures so we can see what you're talking about?

Shran · Nov 21, 2016

I have a vague idea of what you're talking about, I'm guessing they're just round seals to keep debris out of the wheel bearing/outer shaft area. I highly doubt you would need any special Ford tools to replace them, probably just a seal installer tool will work fine, and can be bought at any parts store.

dwbaily · Nov 22, 2016

Here are some pix of the area where the seal goes from both sides, passenger and driver's. One side has the seal ripped out and the other its in there. Its right in that gap where the CV axle is going thru the knuckle into the hub assembly. Also a pic of the 2 different seals that are "supposed" to be for the truck. The shredded one is the one that got ripped out and the other larger one is what I bought that appears to fit into the hole in the knuckle. At least that's what the Mazda on-line parts store lists. What's really weird is that it doesn't appear there is one of them in there. I may be wrong because I haven't torn it apart yet. I ordered 2 smaller ones that aren't here yet and are supposed to be like the one that's shredded. This help any? :icon_confused:

dwbaily · Nov 26, 2016

Knocked it out. Took like 4 hours to do but got it done. It wound up being the smaller of the 2 seals. Couldn't figure out if the larger one needed to go into the bore of the spindle or not so didn't install it. The smaller one fits onto the end of the CV axle that goes thru the spindle. I'm thinking over time you'd need to pull everything off to expose that seal, clean it up and regrease it. I saw where the little metal ring that's built into the seal could rub against the inside of the spindle and cause the screeching sound so many have complained about. A regrease would most likely fix that if the seal is still intact. If not, a fairly easy replacement. I used a 2" PVC coupler to tap it in place and all square. So we'll see if anything exposes itself down the road. All in all not a bad job and one you could easily do if you have a torque wrench that can go up to 200 ft/lbs and a large enough socket to get the axle nut off. A pickle fork or ball joint remover would help to separate the ball joints. Also highly suggest replacing the axle nut instead of trying to reuse the old one. Its made in a way where its only gonna hold good once. Obvious when you look at it and more obvious when you try and screw in on. Cheers. :yahoo:

dwbaily · May 23, 2017

dwbaily said:
Knocked it out. Took like 4 hours to do but got it done. It wound up being the smaller of the 2 seals. Couldn't figure out if the larger one needed to go into the bore of the spindle or not so didn't install it. The smaller one fits onto the end of the CV axle that goes thru the spindle. I'm thinking over time you'd need to pull everything off to expose that seal, clean it up and regrease it. I saw where the little metal ring that's built into the seal could rub against the inside of the spindle and cause the screeching sound so many have complained about. A regrease would most likely fix that if the seal is still intact. If not, a fairly easy replacement. I used a 2" PVC coupler to tap it in place and all square. So we'll see if anything exposes itself down the road. All in all not a bad job and one you could easily do if you have a torque wrench that can go up to 200 ft/lbs and a large enough socket to get the axle nut off. A pickle fork or ball joint remover would help to separate the ball joints. Also highly suggest replacing the axle nut instead of trying to reuse the old one. Its made in a way where its only gonna hold good once. Obvious when you look at it and more obvious when you try and screw in on. Cheers.

They're called dust excluder seals and fit onto the cv axle.

Excluder/Dust seal on B-series?

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