I talked directly to Chicago Rawhide who manufactures the seal. The only thing that will work in this application is a 38709 seal and it must be installed with a special tool which we purchased.
I have a new seal and tool in stock. If you would like to purchase them I will give you a good deal. E mail me at gitrucks at adelphia dot net.
JUNK...... FROM DODGIE RING GEARS TO HUB SEALS..... WOULD MUCH RATHER A 30 YEAR OLD C500.....
Hello The instalation of the floating seal is very important to use a tool such as a large pipe nut or other large pipe that sits on the very outer edge of the seal. Clean area in hub apply a slight bead of silicone install seal its very important not to hit seal on inside area Also check axle vent plug check for proper oil level. Also put a slight preload on bearings you might have some luck
hi, duodeluxe, I was wondering if you were ever able to solve this seal problem, I been living this nightmare for about six months, Clark first told me that they been selling me seals that don't work, if the seal has a # 3399 stamped on it, it won't seal, that's what i been getting ; that i need a seal stamped 38709 , I located a couple and it still leaks. I'm about to try the standard seal 38703 that you mentioned in post.
Thanks for doing the homework and maybe avoiding some of us a headach.
I contacted Chicago Rawhide/SKF, the manufacturer of the seal and they said that they have had numerous problems with this "floating" stlye seal leaking. The Clark part # of the seal is 242258 and the C/R # is 38709.
They recommended replacing the seal with a standard seal C/R #38703 or a Stemco 2 piece seal # 392-9010.
It sounds like a case of technology backfiring cause the floating seal is never supposed to leak.