Hub cap fitting - sealant needed?

I am planning to go back to conventional drive flanges when I replace the hub oil seals as I mentioned in the other thread. AVM free wheeling hubs were fitted, but apparently these are now discontinued and seal kits are no longer available.

Should a bead of sealant be used around the hub cap when it is fitted over the castle nut on the drive flange?

I do put some, the fiber/rubber washer behind the castle nut is supposed to do the sealing but often do not. Todays replacements are not as good as originals.

I've never used sealant on the hub cap itself. It's an interference fit (tap on with a mallet) and I just smear the inside of the cap with grease and a generous smear on the hub nut and split pin.

Thanks for the replies.

tottot said:

Todays replacements are not as good as originals.

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Do you mean the felt seals, hub caps or both?

Felt seals, the hub caps are good. I even use them on my 90, better than the plastic originals.

The felt seals I fitted dry. A few years since I did those too.

Thanks for the replies.

When the hub cap needs to come off again do you need to use a tool which will grip it to twist it off? Is there any way to remove them without distorting them?

Claw hammer , work it around the lip bit by bit levering against the wheel nuts.