Before installing the oil seal, it is important to lubricate it to reduce friction and prevent damage during installation. A silicone-based lubricant is recommended for most applications. If the oil seal is to be installed in a high-temperature or high-pressure environment, a more specialized lubricant may be required.
(6) Note that there should be a certain amount of lubricating oil on the lip of the oil seal.
Oil seals go by many names, such as shaft seals, dirt seals, grease seals, lip seals, and many other variations of these. They are essentially simple devices used in rotary shaft equipment to prevent lubricant from escaping and for excluding contaminants such as dust, dirt and water. An oil seal’s most important function, however, is that it protects every type of ball, sleeve and roller bearing in the rotating shafts. The seals also prevent the integration of two different fluids that shouldn’t mix, such as oil and water.
When repairing, remove the old oil seal
The primary function of a shaft oil seal is to retain lubricating fluids within the system while preventing the ingress of external contaminants. This is particularly important in high-speed applications where the loss of lubricant or the entry of contaminants could lead to rapid wear and damage to the equipment.
Material Code ISO 1629
With minor lip
Type code
Table 3: Features of each seal type
Table 1: The order of priority for selecting oil seals
Choose a seal that has the appropriate dimension needed for your application. The seal should properly fit the space between the stationary and rotating parts.

Oil seals are installed beside the bearing while the flexible lip is pressed against the rotating shaft. The casing pressing into the housing holds the seal in place. The sealing lip is essentially lubricated to minimize the risk of overheating due to the generated friction.
2. PRESSURE: Oil Seals cannot endure a lot of pressure. You need to understand your machinery’s pressure capabilities and ensure you use the correct seal to withstand its pressure levels.
Engine Oil Seal, Power Steering Oil Seal, and Motor Oil Seal: Essential Components in Automotive Systems
What is an Oil Seal?
The lip is specially designed to ensure the oil seal works effectively with the different forces that arise during rotation. Many different designs and materials are used, so countless types of oil seals are available. These are chosen according to the application; pumps, gearboxes, wheels, and many other rotating applications where fluids need to be sealed. They are used in a variety of sectors, such as the chemical industry, manufacturing, wind turbines, automotive sector, food industry, and more. Oil seals are used in nearly all sectors.