Got into a debate today...
 

When installing wheel seals is there a right or wrong direction to install them? If so how do you know which is the correct way?

Not meaning to confuse. But are you talking about the seal . Or whole process.

Just the seal that you tap in to keep grease (or in my case today) rear end fluid from leaking.

YES there is a right and wrong direction.....most wheel seals are just a lip seal like on the output shaft of a tranny....so the "spring" side goes in toward the greese or fluid...I have seen a few (and I mean a VERY few) that were what I call a hard seal and it didnt matter which way it went in...but those were on foregin cars.

Thanks I was arguing on that side but never realized it was always the spring side that goes in. I always take the seals by themselves and test fit them. In the case of my truck yesterday the seal had 2 rubber seals in it that were stepped (one had a slightly smaller diameter than the other) and I test fitted it on the spindle to see which way the "step" made sense and sure enough it was the spring side that went inside. I didn't know it was always the case though. Thanks!!!

Chrisbmo is right. But when you install them have to be sure , you use something like
a a seal bearing race tool. If you use some thing and try to walk them in can get them out of round, or knock spring loose. What makes them leak are axle loose , or ruff surface
on axle. Need to check for play , or pitting ect. Well that is my 2 cent worth.

no problem.....sounds like you got a "wear seal" which is a seal that is "stepped" so it has 2 sealing surfaces for worn parts.......I think those are the best thing invented in quite a while.