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swing axle o-ring dimensions
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1965mt
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 5:42 pm    Post subject: swing axle o-ring dimensions Reply with quote

I just got a kit and the o-ring seems small to me. It is 72mm inside diameter but is only 2.5mm thick. In my opinion it goes into the groove too deep. I think a3mm would fit better.

Has anyone ever measured one?
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 6:49 pm    Post subject: Re: swing axle o-ring dimensions Reply with quote

The outer diameter of the side cover locates the differential. The o-ring just barely protrudes out of the groove to seal. This allows the side cover to do the locating, not the o-ring. I'd put some additional sealant that doesn't build up, like aviation gasket sealant, on the flat mating surface out past the o-ring for added insurance.
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1965mt
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 4:40 pm    Post subject: Re: swing axle o-ring dimensions Reply with quote

this is the o-ring that goes around the axle bearing
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 6:00 pm    Post subject: Re: swing axle o-ring dimensions Reply with quote

Oh yeah, I guess 72mm is a little small for a side cover. I'm not sure about that one. I've never really had any issue from any of the commonly available seal kits.
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1965mt
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 7:46 pm    Post subject: Re: swing axle o-ring dimensions Reply with quote

this reminds me of a story I heard when I was a child. A guy fell over a cliff and was barely hanging on to a branch. If his hand slipped then he would fall 1000 feet to a certain death. He kept his hope up and continued to cry "help, can anyone hear me?". help. After a while a voice came out of a cloud and said "I can hear you and if you want me to save you then you must trust me and let go of the branch". The guy heard this and was astonished! He said, "who are you?". The voice said "this is GOD and if you want my help then let go of the branch".

The guy thought about it for a second,,,,,, and said "can anyone else hear me?".

I measured 3/32 of an inch (or 2.5mm) Has anyone measured something different?
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1965mt
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 12:54 pm    Post subject: Re: swing axle o-ring dimensions Reply with quote

it looks like the kit came with a 6mm backing plate but the stock plate could not be more than 4.7mm That dimension would be flush with the oring support.

I will ask Empi if they knew about this. I can't be the only only one. The downside is that it might leak a little and the bearing won't be constrained as designed

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1965mt
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 1:43 pm    Post subject: Re: swing axle o-ring dimensions Reply with quote

it looks like the kit came with a 6mm backing plate but the stock plate could not be more than 4.7mm That dimension would be flush with the oring support.

I will ask Empi if they knew about this. I can't be the only only one. The downside is that it might leak a little and the bearing won't be constrained as designed

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1965mt
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 03, 2016 3:26 pm    Post subject: Re: swing axle o-ring dimensions Reply with quote

I got new plates thanks to Jaime at JBugs. They have been helpful.

Take a look at the gap where the oring goes and compare the two pictures.

Another interesting point is that the gaskets that came in the kit are 2.5mm while the VW spec is 2.6mm

With the new bracket I beleive that the oring will seal and will help prevent the bearing from moving. It also acts in unison with the paper gasket to prevent oil from leaking.

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