Mopar Forums - dana 44 stone shield lip seal

When I removed my front drive axles to replace my steering ujoints. I notice they had an odd rubber "v-ring" seal on them. Molded on them was " Forsheda 38415". I set out to get replacements since mine where old and weathered. I couldn't find anything based on my application alone (1977 Dodge W200) so, I tried using the information molded into the rubber itself. I cam across a website that crossed referenced the number over to Napa 400700. So, I ordered two.

They fit on the stone shield just fine. However, when I starting putting the hub/bearing assembly back together I notice these seals didn't have sufficient clearance and interfered with the hubs being able to turn freely. So I ended up removing them (destroying them in the process) to correct that problem.

I'm not sure what went wrong, but I do have some ideas.

The replacement inner wheel seals where a little thicker than the original ones that had to be removed in order to pull the axles. Perhaps that took away the needed clearance?

I got the wrong seals?

The truck was never suppose to have them? My Chilton manual only mentions this seal for models though 1984 and my Haynes make no mention of the v-ring seal at all. All the seal seems to do is “cup” against the inner wheel seal shielding it from splashes.

I was able to find one other online discussion about this over at ramcharger central.

http://ramchargercentral.com/vehicle...e-shaft-seals/

Has anyone here encountered this problem before?