This weekend I was under my Ranger and noticed something not right. On the inside of the driver side front bearing (where the drive axle goes into the bearing area) I found what looks like a rubber ring floating in there. I could move it around but could not remove it. I looked at the passenger side and the same ring was there but it was not floating around. It was in a fixed position. I know that floating ring is not right but do not know what it is (possibly the seal?) and if it can be repaired without taking the entire hub assembly apart.

Does anybody have any ideas or suggestion what I am dealing with?

 

Seems to me that it is the axel seal. You might be able to get away with pulling the CV and shaft out.

 

either what he said, or its the ring that goes around the cv boot that keeps the grease in the axle. should be able to un clamp it with a pair of pliers and squeeze it back into place.

 

I think I know exactly what you are talking about. I descovered a loose rubber ring on the outwardest end of a cv on one side near the unibearing when installing my superlift last year. I removed it, and never had anyproblems. I think it's just excess on the CV boots that were meant to be removed when assembled.

 

x2, had the same thing. Looked like a big o ring, took mine off, nothing ever happened.

 

^^YEP! O-ring. looks just like one.


There are no seals on live axle front ends.....the bearing and hub is one unit. the PVH front ends did have seals between the hub and the knuckle....we live axles dont.

 

Well, it doesn't look exactly like an O-ring but it doesn't seem to be doing anything either. There are no grease or oil leaks. I thought it might be some kind of dust seal. I will study my mechanics manual tonight to see if it shows anything like it.

Thanks for the information guys. I feel a little more comfortable about driving it with this floating ring.

 

I had the same thing on mine a few weeks back when I replaced lower ball joints. Looked like it was a dust and debris shield for the backside of the wheel bearing.