Leaky nose?

My harrison L5 is about 70 years old and performing well - except ive got an oil leak from the main shaft/nose interface. Ive tried revitalising the original wiper and tried graphite yarn but to not much avail. Im thinking of fitting an automotive type crank seal but does anyone have a simpler idea? thanks

Felt Strip ? - more suitable for low shaft pressure applications in a fairly 'passive' environment?

..it's still available from the likes of SKF.. ..I know where I might look, in the 'Business Office & Industrial' section..

I think some lathes have a collector groove and drain hole back to the sump. After 70 years of use such a system could be clogged up. The problem is that getting to it may require spindle removal.

Martin C

Have you checked the gearbox breather, or are you sure the current seal has failed?

I ran it with the filler cap off so no back pressure - still leaks. There is a collector and hole in the front plate but strangely no where for it to go back to the sump. Its new felt that I need....just couldnt think of it. will look see if they make it in square section.

I presume the oil level is not too high. An old trilby hat would be a source of felt, and white ScotchBrite is a felt and has no abrasives in it, you add your own as required.

oil level lower than it should be i think, although I have yet to discover where the oil level is, and ive tried to find out. there is some SKF square section felt on ebay which looks like the original stuff so i will try that first. Thanks all.