Lip Seals

Installation & Replacement

For:

User Manual
SureSeal™ STRONG™Seal™
Shaft Seal System Shaft Seal System (Sold Prior to 2000)

See Page 3 See Page 9

Spare Seal Rudder
Carrier Kits Port/Bearings

See Page 15 See Page 17

For additional information

Or assistance contact:
Before You Begin
If there is a Spare Seal Carrier clamped to the propeller shaft directly in front of
the shaft seal (see photos below) and it contains a replacement lip seal inside,
it may be possible to replace the lip seal while the vessel is in the water.

In-water replacement is possible only if there is unobstructed access to the

front of the seal housing.

During in-water replacement, some water will enter the bilge. Be sure bilge
pumps are working.

Read instructions that follow before beginning work.

IF THERE IS NO SPARE SEAL CARRIER, (OR THERE IS LIMITED ROOM

TO WORK), THE VESSEL WILL HAVE TO BE HAULED.

When hauled, the shaft seal may be removed from the vessel. Lip seal
replacement can then be done at a workbench.

Note*
Rudder lip seal replacement is best performed when the vessel is out of
the water.

This work is simplified when the rudder stock is lowered completely

before beginning work.

Spare Seal Carrier SureSeal unit with a Spare Seal Carrier

installed in front of a Spare Seal Carrier installed above a Type C
Strong Seal which has been opened Rudder Port/Bearing
to show replacement with Seal.
seal.
2
SureSeal™ Shaft Seal System
SureSeal™ Components

Before beginning the installation or replacement of a lip seal for a

SureSeal unit, familiarize yourself with the various components of the
system.

Note*
There are two styles of SureSeals
which are sold. Units are either
molded with a pentagonal face cap
or machined with a circular one. The
process for installation or
replacement of the lip seal is the
same for both styles.

3
In-Water Lip Seal Replacement for SureSeal™
Using Spare Seal Carrier

Inspect the surface both behind and in Remove any sanding dust/debris with
front of the Spare Seal Carrier. If there a clean cloth. Remove the 2 screws
are any nicks or burrs which might which secure the Spare Seal Carrier to
damage the seal during replacement, the shaft using a Phillips-head
polish this area with 280-320 grit wet/dry screwdriver or Allen Wrench. Separate
sandpaper or emery cloth, working the two housing halves and remove
around the shaft - NOT fore and aft. from the shaft.

Remove the screws from the face cap of Separate the front cap from the housing
the SureSeal housing and set aside body.
nearby. They may be either Philips-head
or Allen-head screws.

If the plastic split washer is retained in Pass the face cap over the new lip seal.
the cap, push it back towards the
housing until it snaps out and is free of
the cap.

4
Separate the ends of the split washer Reinstall the split washer onto the shaft
and remove from the shaft. on the other side of the spare lip seal.

Reinstall the split washer into its recess Using a flat-bladed screwdriver, gently
in the cap where it was before. Press pry out the old lip seal from the SureSeal
the washer firmly all around the housing. For more working room, slide
perimeter to be sure it is fully seated. It the replacement seal and face cap away
should be flush with the circular rib. from the SureSeal a few inches.

Work around the seal in several places When the lip seal is completely out of
moving it a little bit in each spot. BE the housing, use diagonal cutters to cut
PREPARED TO WORK QUICKLY. As it off the shaft.
the lip seal is removed from the housing,
water will begin to flow into the bilge.
5
Slide the replacement lip seal into the Slide the front cap and split washer
opening as far as it will go. Most of the assembly down the shaft and align the
seal should still be exposed. This will holes in the cap with those in the housing
slow the water entering the bilge. collar. Quickly start the screws in each
hole.

Begin hand tightening each screw 2 to 3 Continue tightening the screws to finish
turns in an alternating pattern as shown. driving the seal into the housing. The
This will begin to drive the lip seal into seal is properly seated when the cap and
the housing stopping the flow of water. housing are touching.

When the vessel is once again out of

the water, install a new replacement
lip seal inside the Spare Seal Carrier
housing.

18.
Reinstall the spare seal carrier housing in
front of the SureSeal unit maintaining a
minimum of 1" clearance between the two.
THE LONG SHOULDER ON THE
CARRIER SHOULD BE FACING AWAY
FROM THE SURESEAL UNIT. 6
Out-Of-Water Lip Seal Replacement
For SureSeal™ Shaft Seal

Disconnect the propeller shaft from the If the lip seal inside the Spare Seal
coupling. Slide the shaft away from the Carrier will be used as the replacement
coupling so there is space to remove the lip seal, slide a Red Installation Hat down
SureSeal housing and any Spare Seal the shaft and in between the lip seal and
Carriers. shaft to prevent damage to it when
removing it from the shaft.

Loosen the two hose clamps which Position the SureSeal unit in a vise and
fasten the SureSeal housing to the clamp securely. (A set of simple wooden
articulating blue hose. Remove the spare V-blocks will help hold the unit). Remove
lip seal and SureSeal unit from the shaft. the five cap screws and the face cap from
Leave the clamps and articulating blue the housing, set aside.
hose on the stern tube.

Using a flat-bladed screwdriver, gently Make sure the walls of the seal cavity
pry out the old lip seal from the SureSeal have not been scratched or gouged.
housing. Work around the seal in several Place the new lip seal into the seal cavity
places, moving it a little bit in each spot. with the smooth side of the lip seal facing
Once the seal is removed, wipe the seal upwards. The molded part number
cavity with a clean cloth. 7 should be visible.
Confirm that the plastic split washer is Position the face cap on top of the lip
retained in the face cap as shown. Press seal and align the screw holes. Insert the
the washer firmly all around the cap screws.
perimeter to be sure it is fully seated. It
should be flush with the circular rib.

Begin hand tightening each screw 2 to Insert the Red Installation Hat into the lip
3 turns in an alternating pattern as seal and press in evenly all around as far
shown. Continue tightening the screws as it will go. Slide the SureSeal unit back
to drive the seal evenly into its cavity. onto the propeller shaft carefully so that
The seal is properly seated when the the shaft passes through the Red
cap and housing are touching. Installation Hat.

Position the unit in its previous location REMOVE THE RED INSTALLATION
inside the blue articulating hose. Space HAT. If reinstalling the spare seal
the hose clamps evenly over the housing carrier, follow instructions beginning on
end and tighten equally. page 13. Reconnect the propeller shaft
to the coupling. Reconnect the water
8 supply lines.
STRONG™Seal Shaft Seal System

STRONG™Seal Components

Before beginning the replacement of a lip seal for a STRONG™ Seal

unit, familiarize yourself with the various components of the system.

DISCONTINUED IN 2000

9
In-Water Lip Seal Replacement for STRONG™Seal
Using Spare Seal Carrier

Inspect the shaft surface on both sides of Remove any sanding dust/debris with a
the Spare Seal Carrier for nicks or burrs clean cloth. Remove the two screws
which might damage the seal during which secure the Spare Seal Carrier to
replacement. Polish this area with 280- the shaft using a Phillips-head
320 grit sandpaper or emery cloth screwdriver. Separate the two halves
working around the shaft not fore and aft. and flip over.

Reassemble the Spare Seal Carrier on Locate the end of the spiral retaining ring
the shaft in front of the new lip seal with in the front of the Strong Seal housing.
the long shoulder facing the lip seal. Insert With a small flat-bladed screwdriver, pry
and snug the two carrier screws. Slide the end out of its groove.
both the lip seal and carrier away from the
Strong Seal housing for more working
room.

Spiral the ring around the shaft until it Remove the retaining ring from the shaft.
is free from the housing. DO NOT DISCARD.

10
Position and then screw 2 or 3 (evenly Alternating between screws, grasp
spaced) self-tapping or small trim-head each protruding screw with a diagonal
screws into the face of the lip seal - or regular pliers and then, using a
close to the outer edge as there is a small prybar, begin to lever against the
solid fibre ring there which will hold the jaws of the pliers to move the lip seal
screw thread. Screw to a depth of 1/2 out of the housing.
inch.

Continue working on each screw until Cut the worn seal off the shaft with
the seal is free of the housing. As the lip diagonal cutters.
seal is removed from the housing, water
will begin to flow into the bilge.
BE PREPARED TO WORK QUICKLY.

Slide the replacement seal down the Align the seal evenly with the
shaft towards the STRONG Seal chamfered edge of the cavity opening
housing. on the face of the housing.

11
Slide the Spare Seal Carrier toward Using a sliding bar clamp, position one
the STRONG Seal housing until the jaw on the housing shoulder and the
shoulder is in contact with the face of other on the Spare Seal Carrier as
the lip seal. shown. Add a second clamp opposite
the first.

Alternately squeeze each clamp to pull Continue moving the lip seal into the
the lip seal into its cavity. Work so that housing until the Spare Seal Carrier
the lip seal moves evenly and stays contacts the STRONG Seal housing.
generally perpendicular to the shaft. The groove for the spiral retaining ring
should be fully visible when the lip seal
is seated fully.

Reinstall the spiral retaining ring into its Re-install the Spare Seal Carrier in front
groove. Push the STRONG Seal back of the STRONG Seal. Maintain at least 1”
into the blue hose as far as it will go. of clearance between it and the
Evenly space the hose clamps over the STRONG Seal. When the vessel is next
housing and tighten fully. hauled for repairs, install a new lip seal
12 inside the Spare Seal Carrier housing.
Out-Of-Water Lip Seal Replacement
For STRONG™Seal with Spare Seal Carrier

Disconnect the propeller shaft from If the lip seal inside the Spare Seal
the coupling. Slide the shaft away Carrier will be used as the
from the coupling so there will be replacement, slide a Red Installation
space to remove the STRONG Seal Hat between the lip seal and the shaft
housing and any spare lip seals. Open (inset) to prevent damage to it when
the Spare Seal Carrier by removing removing it from the shaft.
the two housing screws.

Loosen the two hose clamps which Position the STRONG Seal unit in a
fasten the STRONG Seal housing to the vise and clamp securely. (A simple set
blue hose. Remove the spare lip seal of V-blocks will help hold the unit). DO
and STRONG Seal unit from the shaft. NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE VISE.
Leave the clamps and blue hose on the Remove the lip seal retaining ring from
stern tube. the housing (inset), set aside.

Using a flat-bladed screwdriver, pry the Place the replacement lip seal on the
lip seal from the STRONG Seal housing. chamfered edge of the lip seal cavity.
Work around the seal in several places- The smooth side of the lip seal which
moving it a little bit in each spot. Once has the part number molded on it must
the lip seal is out, wipe the seal cavity be visible.
with a clean cloth. 13
There are several methods in which to Alternately, an arbor press or bar
install the replacement lip seal. A short clamps (see in-water replacement
length of PVC pipe or the long shoulder instructions) will work equally well.
on a Spare Seal Carrier can be used to Finish driving the lip seal evenly into
drive the lip seal into the housing. the housing. When the retaining ring
groove is visible, the seal is properly
seated.

Reinstall the retaining ring into it’s Insert a Red Installation Hat into the
groove. lip seal and press in evenly as far as it
will go. Carefully slide the STRONG
Seal back onto the propeller shaft with
the shaft passing through the Red
Installation Hat (inset).

Slide the STRONG Seal to it’s previous REMOVE THE RED INSTALLATION HAT.
location inside the blue hose. Space the If reinstalling the Spare Seal Carrier, follow
hose clamps evenly over the housing end the instructions beginning on page 15.
and tighten equally. Reconnect the propeller shaft to the
coupling.Reconnect the water supply lines.
14
Spare Seal Carrier Kit
Spare Seal Carriers protect and
store spare lip seal(s) and may allow
lip seal replacement to be performed
while the vessel is in the water. The
propeller shaft may not have to be
removed from the coupling.

The unit is a lightweight two-piece

composite housing which is clamped
to the shaft between the shaft seal
transmission coupling. One or two
lip seals are contained depending
on size (see below)

Long Shoulder Side

For shaft sizes up to For shaft sizes up to For shaft sizes greater
1-3/4” or 45mm, 2” to 3”, two single than 3-1/4” or 50mm
single Spare Seal Spare Seal Carriers one double Spare Seal
Carriers are used are used with one lip Carrier is used which
which hold one lip seal in each. holds two lip seals.
seal.

Instructions for installing a Spare Seal Carrier Kit

Determine where the Spare Seal Remove the screws from the carrier and
Carrier will be located on the shaft separate the two halves exposing the lip
(minimally 1” from the front of the shaft seal(s).
seal housing.) Be certain there are no
keyways, nicks or corrosion in this
area which could damage the lip seal. 15
Insert the Red Installation Hat into the lip Slide the Red Installation Hat and seal
seal from the side which has the part onto the shaft as shown.
number molded on it. PUSH IT
THROUGH THE SEAL AS FAR AS IT
WILL GO. This allows the Hat and lip
seal to be moved freely onto the shaft
without resistance.

Slide the new lip seal down the shaft REMOVE THE RED INSTALLATION HAT.
until it is in the desired location (no NOTE* If the Spare Seal Carrier holds two
closer than 1” from the front of the shaft lip seals, both may be positioned on the
seal housing). Red Installation Hat at the same time, or
just repeat steps 3 to 6, leaving the second
seal just in front of the first.

Reassemble the Spare Seal Carrier Confirm that there is at least 1” of clear
housing over the lip seal(s) and around space between the Spare Seal Carrier
the shaft with the long shoulder side of and the face of the shaft seal. Tighten
the carrier facing away from the shaft the two screws fully to lock the carrier
seal. onto the shaft.
16
Rudder Port/Bearings

While there are several configuration of Tides Marine Rudder Port/Bearings, the
removal and replacement of the lip seal component is similar for all types.

The installation process which follows uses a Type C unit which is typically
mounted in a tube with an upper flange to bolt to.

NOTES*
1. In addition to storing and
protecting replacement lip seals,
Spare Seal Carrier housings are
also used when installing new lip
seals into Rudder Port/Bearing
housings. The long shoulder is
dimensioned so that it will properly
seat the replacement lip seal so
that the retaining ring groove is
fully accessible.

2. If no Spare Seal Carrier is Long Shoulder

available, a short length of PVC
pipe works equally well to drive the
seal into position. 1-1/2 inch pipe
works with seals for up to 1-3/8”
shafts, 2 inch pipe works with
seals for shafts 1-1/2” thru 2” and
2-1/2 inch pipe works with seals for
2 ¼, 2 ½ and so on.

17
Lip Seal Replacement
For Rudder Port/Bearings

Disconnect the steering gear and lower Using a small flat-bladed screwdriver,
the rudder stock allowing access to the work the end of the retaining ring out of
lip seal. Locate the spiral retaining ring the groove. Gently pull upwards and
located on top of the lip seal. Find the spiral the ring free from the housing.
end which is partially cut away. DO NOT DISCARD.

Using a larger flat-bladed screwdriver or Inspect and clean the lip seal cavity in
other flat lever, begin to pry the lip seal the rudder bearing housing with a clean
upwards. Be careful not to scratch or cloth.
gouge the sides of the lip seal cavity.
Work in several locations around the seal
until it is free from the housing.

Place the replacement lip seal on the Place either a Spare Seal Carrier (long
chamfered edge of the lip seal cavity. shoulder-side down) or a short length of
The smooth side of the lip seal which has PVC pipe centered on the face of the
the part number molded on it must be replacement lip seal.
visible.
18
With a rubber or plastic faced mallet, Working around the perimeter, continue
hit the Spare Seal Carrier housing or driving the replacement lip seal into
PVC pipe around the top surface to position.
begin to drive the replacement lip seal
into the cavity.

The lip seal is fully seated when the Press the Red Installation Hat fully into
retaining ring groove is fully visible. the lip seal opening. Reinstall / raise the
Reinstall the retaining ring in its groove. rudder stock into place.

As the rudder stock is raised back into If using a Spare Seal Carrier, reinstall
position, it will pass through the Red and clamp it above the Red Installation
Installation Hat. Before reconnecting the Hat. There should be a minimum of 1/2
steering gear, remove and invert the Red inch between the Spare Seal Carrier and
Installation Hat and place on top of the lip Red Installation Hat. Reconnect the
seal. 19 steering gear.
 NOTE* THIS PART IS USED IN THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS:
STRONG Seal Shaft Seals

IF THIS PART WAS ORDERED FOR USE WITH A PRODUCT NOT

LISTED ABOVE, CONTACT YOUR DISTRIBUTOR FOR ASSISTANCE
OR EXCHANGE.

Tides Part Number LIP SEAL 2000

Manuf. Part Number 11551
Fits Shaft / Stock Diameter 2"

Measurements
I.D. 2.000"
O.D. 2.750"
THK. 0.500"

Contents
1 - LIP SEAL 2000
1 - HAT-2000-02

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SureSeal™ and STRONG™ Seal are Trademarks of Tides Marine

All Rights Reserved ©2019 Tides Marine, Inc. User Manual – Lip Seals Rev 1.3 Nov 11, 2019