Are the Trailer Grease Seals 168255TB and 171255TB Interchangeable

Published 07/26/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Double Lip Seal for 3,700-lb Marine Hubs

(171)

$17.60

Grease Seal - Double Lip - ID 1.719" / OD 2.565" - for 3,500-lb Axles - Qty 2

(2507)

$6.23

Question:

Im sure I need the grease seal either # 168255TB or # 171255TB. I destroyed the old seal removing it, before thinking about looking at the part number. My question is, are these two seals somewhat interchangeable? I bought both because i wasnt sure. I did a dry fit with both on the spindle, before putting one in the hub, and they both seemed to fit, although of course 168255 was a slightly tighter fit. I ended up putting in the 171255 since, through my research, that one seemed the most common. Ill be going on a long trip with the trailer in a couple days and Im kind of nervous! Should there be any concern?

asked by: Lance

Expert Reply:

The two seals you mentioned are pretty close in size but the part # 168255TB has a slightly smaller inner diameter. In nearly all cases for trailer spindles the correct seal would be the part # RG06-050 (171255TB) since trailer spindles will typically have an outer diameter of 1.73 inches.

The slightly tighter seal could maybe work in but the best way to tell is to measure the spindle where the seal rides. If its 1.73 the 171255TB is the correct one.

expert reply by: Jameson C