General Vehicle Related Topics (Non Year Related) If topic doesn't apply to Toyotas whatsoever, it should be in Off Topic

Shelf life of seals

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-23-2008, 06:31 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
the_supernerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Sonora, CA
Posts: 1,527
Received 19 Likes on 15 Posts
Shelf life of seals

I have a bunch of new seals that I have not used, like a couple of rear main seals and some caliper re-build kits. I have kept them in boxes and out of the sun. They have been sitting for at least two years. Is there a limit to how long they can sit before I should not use them? I am thinking they could possibly dry out sooner without having oil or brake fluid on them to keep them lubed up. I remember a mechanic put a new transmission seal on my old VW that leaked because it was sitting on his shelf too long. I was just wondering how long is too long for these seals to sit.
Old 11-23-2008, 09:36 PM
  #2  
Donny, you're out of your element
Staff
iTrader: (23)
 
DeathCougar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Marysville, WA
Posts: 17,689
Received 54 Likes on 34 Posts
Two years is not long enough to do any damage. They often sit on store shelfs longer than that!

If it had been sitting for 30 years in weather, i might be concerned. But 2 years in an enclosed area...you are good to go.
Old 11-25-2008, 04:40 PM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
the_supernerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Sonora, CA
Posts: 1,527
Received 19 Likes on 15 Posts
Thats what I figured, thanks for the reply.
Old 11-25-2008, 09:21 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
85TurboRunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Just think about how long the seals have been in your current engine and are still holding up fine. A seal on a shelf should be fine for many many years.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Longbed 90
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
27
10-19-2015 11:05 AM
viesail
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
2
09-21-2015 06:00 AM
sonorn67
84-85 Trucks & 4Runners
3
09-19-2015 05:39 PM
dropzone
The Classifieds GraveYard
0
09-13-2015 11:18 AM
justdifferentials
Vendors Build-Ups (Build-Up Section)
0
09-05-2015 06:52 PM



Quick Reply: Shelf life of seals



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:36 AM.