rkneeshaw
Well-Known Member
So I just recently picked up some o-rings for my manual hubs, which didnt have any installed at all:
Now I know the theory here is that the o-ring will keep water out of there and if you go through standing water you won't have to repack/regrease your bearings and do full hub maintenance after each wheeling trip. (theoretically of course)
But what if I left these o-rings off of there?
Its been discussed that for the most part, water will stay out of your hubs because of the seals. BUT, if they are super hot, the cooling effect of the water on the hubs will cause an air pressure differential that will "suck in" water through possibly the axle seal. So if that happens, what lets the water drain back out?
See where I'm going with this?
If I leave the hub o-rings off, it might let in a little water but at least it would theoretically just drain back out... and with grease being somewhat water resistant maybe it would reduce the damaging effects of water in the hubs and I could go for a longer period of time without doing hub maintenance.
Thoughts?

Now I know the theory here is that the o-ring will keep water out of there and if you go through standing water you won't have to repack/regrease your bearings and do full hub maintenance after each wheeling trip. (theoretically of course)
But what if I left these o-rings off of there?
Its been discussed that for the most part, water will stay out of your hubs because of the seals. BUT, if they are super hot, the cooling effect of the water on the hubs will cause an air pressure differential that will "suck in" water through possibly the axle seal. So if that happens, what lets the water drain back out?
See where I'm going with this?
If I leave the hub o-rings off, it might let in a little water but at least it would theoretically just drain back out... and with grease being somewhat water resistant maybe it would reduce the damaging effects of water in the hubs and I could go for a longer period of time without doing hub maintenance.
Thoughts?