How Do I Handle a Grooved Shaft When Replacing an Oil Seal?

When grooving occurs at the shaft, this is typically a result of shaft hardness and/or finish which are not compliant with our recommendations of minimum 30 Rockwell C and 10-20 microinches Ra. The Mill-right lip materials are designed to not cause shaft grooving, however, if there is dirt or contamination in the application, it might be possible for some particles to get caught underneath the lip and groove the shaft if it’s too soft. It’s not recommended to install a brand new oil seal over shaft grooving, as this could likely result in leakage. Shaft grooving should either be covered with a shaft sleeve, or the new sealing lip must be offset to contact a surface free of grooves or scratches.