DBH radial shaft seals: replacement by size d, D and h
A radial shaft seal (also called an oil seal) keeps the grease or oil in a bearing from escaping out of the housing, and keeps dirt, water or dust from entering from outside into the bearing. It is a small, inexpensive part compared with what it protects, but a poorly chosen or worn seal is one of the most common causes of a bearing washing out and failing prematurely.
The designation of a DBH seal describes three dimensions and a design code: the shaft diameter (d, where the rotating shaft passes through), the housing diameter (D, where the seal seats against the housing or support) and the height or width (h). The design code that follows the number —variants such as those listed in our catalogue— identifies the type of sealing lip and the elastomer material. To order the correct replacement, these three dimensions are enough: if you have the old seal, measure it with a caliper before discarding it.
They are used in rotating shaft bearings on all kinds of machinery: electric motors, gearboxes, centrifugal pumps, transmissions, industrial fans and agricultural equipment. In Argentina it is one of the most requested replacement parts in plant maintenance, because it degrades with use —the lip wears, the elastomer dries out with heat— even if the bearing it protects is still in good condition.
When choosing a seal, it is worth looking beyond the size: the peripheral shaft speed (the higher the speed, the more heat the lip friction generates), the working temperature, which defines the elastomer material, and whether the environment has dust or pressurized liquids, where a double-lip design is preferable. Installation is just as important as the choice: a seal installed out of square or with the lip damaged by the shaft edge fails within a few weeks.
Seals are manufactured with the same three dimensions by several brands and origins, so it is common to find an equivalent from another manufacturer for a size that is temporarily unavailable. What does not change between brands is the size: if the shaft and housing match, the seal performs the same function regardless of who manufactured it.
If you have the old seal or the bearing that needs sealing, send us the three dimensions —or a photo with the caliper in place— via WhatsApp and we will confirm the part number and the available equivalent. MR Accesorios Industriales carries the most requested DBH designs on the Argentine market.















