Soaking New Felt?

[dmaxweb]

When replacing the radius rod ball felt pad inside the bell housing, and the felt seals on the upper and lower ball joint covers should they be soaked in oil first or put in dry?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

The radius rod felt should be oiled naturally from a slight rear main drip.

I ain't following you on the "upper and lower ball joints".

[1931 flamingo]

Brent: I think he means the wish bone ball covers.
Paul in CT

[Tom Wesenberg]

I would install it dry, then if it's off the car and easy to do you can squirt oil on it. I always pack the pocket full of Mystik JT-6 High Temp grease, then it should be good for many years, even if the felt was dry.

[MrTube]

When I worked for Bosch they had special grease made just for felt seals. It was a light brown color and almost waxy. very thick near impossible to squeeze out of the tube.

I'd have to think that stuff was the best for felt.

[Bruce,Upstate NY]

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Seems to me that the rear main oil drip ahead of the flywheel would drop thru the hole at the bottom of the flywheel housing, a lot lower and well ahead of the wishbone felt pad. I believe the latter is lubed by a front transmission seep. Look in a bellhousing.

[dmaxweb]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

The radius rod felt should be oiled naturally from a slight rear main drip.

I ain't following you on the "upper and lower ball joints".

I'm referring to the felt grease seals that go in the grooves in the outer U-Joint covers. If you happen to have Les Andrews book handy, they are shown in step 8 illustration on page 1-348

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by dmaxweb

I'm referring to the felt grease seals that go in the grooves in the outer U-Joint covers. If you happen to have Les Andrews book handy, they are shown in step 8 illustration on page 1-348

I also pack the U-joint cover with grease before installing the two halves.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by dmaxweb

I'm referring to the felt grease seals that go in the grooves in the outer U-Joint covers. If you happen to have Les Andrews book handy, they are shown in step 8 illustration on page 1-348

Oh, OK. you threw me on that one!!

[dmaxweb]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Oh, OK. you threw me on that one!!

Sorry for the confusion. My brain was thinking U-Joint cover but my fingers typed ball joint . Either senility or too many parts spread out on the garage floor.

Anyhow, do I oil these felt strips before I press them into the grooves?

Thanks

[pat in Santa Cruz]

I don't. I pack the u joint, grease the inner cap and inside of the clamshells, then pump the U joint with more grease until grease flows out the speedo gear hole. By then the felt seals are plenty greasy, as well as your hands, arm, clothes, etc.