The primary function of a wheel seal is to effectively shield the bearings of your valuable wheels from water, grit, and contaminants. While OEM seals perform adequately, they fall short in achieving optimal performance. Not only do they permit water ingress, but they also exhibit significant stiction, causing drag on the rolling surfaces. The longevity of your wheel is contingent on contaminants remaining on the exterior, away from the critical working components. SKF's wheel seals feature a sophisticated two-part design. Firstly, an outer cover, resembling a CNC machined collar, snugly fits into the seal and abuts the hub. Crafted from SKF's proprietary material, it provides comprehensive coverage for the seal and exhibits exceptional durability. The second component is the SKF seal itself, distinguished by its compact size and the distinctive labyrinth lip design. SKF wheel seals can reduce surface friction by an impressive 200 times. A practical comparison by spinning a rear wheel equipped with an OEM seal alongside an SKF seal-equipped wheel reveals that the SKF wheel rotates significantly more times than its counterpart. While the reduction in drag is appreciated, our primary concern lies in the bearing's longevity. A cursory examination of the design disparities between OEM seals and SKF seals convincingly demonstrates that the SKF seal excels in preventing dirt ingress, surpassing the protective capabilities of stock seals.
