Replacement seals for hub end caps

[thenorthwind]

Checked the front wheel bearings on my Hunt wheels, which turned out to be shot, probably helped by the fact that the seals on the end caps had both perished and one had split, so I'm trying to find replacements before I replace the bearings.

Hunt told me the seals aren't available separately, and I would have to buy a pair of end caps which come with the seals, which seems like a waste since the end caps themselves are fine.

I'm sure they must be a standard industrial seal, but I can't find anything similar. They're a flat seal with a rectangular profile to fit in the slot on the end cap and an angled lip:

A bit like a V-ring, but the lip is on the outside of the seal rather than along the axis.

Anyone know what this type of seal is called?

[fatbikephil]

Are you using QR Dave?
I'm about to swap out Hunt QR end caps for TA's so you could get the QR ones as I won't be swapping them back.
I think seals like that will be bespoke so not likely to be available from a seal supplier...

[thenorthwind]

Are you using QR Dave?
I'm about to swap out Hunt QR end caps for TA's so you could get the QR ones as I won't be swapping them back.
I think seals like that will be bespoke so not likely to be available from a seal supplier...

Thru-axle I'm afraid, but thanks anyway.
I guess you're right - seems quite a strange design decision using a bespoke seal when you could design around a standard, but maybe that's me.

[fatbikephil]

Are you using QR Dave?
I'm about to swap out Hunt QR end caps for TA's so you could get the QR ones as I won't be swapping them back.
I think seals like that will be bespoke so not likely to be available from a seal supplier...

Thru-axle I'm afraid, but thanks anyway.
I guess you're right - seems quite a strange design decision using a bespoke seal when you could design around a standard, but maybe that's me.

Just checked - one of mine is split!
Agreed it's a bit crap - Hope use a proper sprung lip seal pressed into the hub shell outboard of the bearing.

[thenorthwind]

Are you using QR Dave?
I'm about to swap out Hunt QR end caps for TA's so you could get the QR ones as I won't be swapping them back.
I think seals like that will be bespoke so not likely to be available from a seal supplier...

Thru-axle I'm afraid, but thanks anyway.
I guess you're right - seems quite a strange design decision using a bespoke seal when you could design around a standard, but maybe that's me.

Just checked - one of mine is split!
Agreed it's a bit crap - Hope use a proper sprung lip seal pressed into the hub shell outboard of the bearing.

Bugger. They're obviously a weak design or material too. I guess they're designed for low drag.

I think the Hope end caps I have just have an O-ring on the OD of the bit that goes into the hub. But maybe I've missed one in the hub itself.

[sean_iow]

Agreed it's a bit crap - Hope use a proper sprung lip seal pressed into the hub shell outboard of the bearing.

You're thinking of the rear NDS on a Hope. The front doesn't have any seals just the adapters up against the bearings. Despite this the front hub bearings outlast all other bearing on my bikes

[fatbikephil]

Agreed it's a bit crap - Hope use a proper sprung lip seal pressed into the hub shell outboard of the bearing.

You're thinking of the rear NDS on a Hope. The front doesn't have any seals just the adapters up against the bearings. Despite this the front hub bearings outlast all other bearing on my bikes

Ahh - my Hope front hubs are fatty ones which do have outboard lip seals

[thenorthwind]

I couldn't for the life of me find an off-the-shelf replacement for these. But I remembered when I'd gone into the workshop at work to ask if anyone knew what they were called, one of the technicians had shown me a flexible part he'd 3D printed in TPU, and suggested that could be a last resort.

Having exhausted the other options, and still too stubborn to buy more end caps, I decided to have a go at printing it, so modelled it up. The first print came out looking pretty good and fits well. I don't know if it'll seal quite as well, being a bit harder than the original, and not being quite smooth where the extruder has transitioned between layers, but it's certainly better than the split one. I did a few spares, so if anyone is in the same position, just ask nicely

[fatbikephil]

Well done Dave
Mine are all good since I bought new TA end caps but will remember this for future.

[Moff]

Can be a bit of a mine field trying to find replacement seals like that.
Pop down to your local bearing supplier, they normally deal with seals as well. Take the broken seal and the end cap with you for them to measure up.