Patent ID: 8287393

Claim:
An inner seal for protecting a CV joint boot for a CV joint, the CV joint including a bearing, a back sealing means and a front can, wherein the bearing operatively connects a first shaft and a second shaft, the bearing has an inner race and an outer race and has a front and a back, wherein the first shaft is connected to the inner race and wherein the second shaft is connected to the outer race, and wherein the front can is connected to the outer race, the back sealing means seals against leakage of lubricant from the back of the bearing, wherein the CV joint boot seals with the front can and wherein the CV joint boot has an interior, the inner seal comprising: an inner seal body having a front can sealing portion for sealing with an inner seal sealing portion of the front can, the front can sealing portion of the inner seal body having a size relative to the inner seal sealing portion of the front can to establish an interference fit therebetween, the interference fit inhibiting migration of lubricant from the bearing therebetween, the front can sealing portion having a flange portion configured to engage a shoulder provided on the front can, the flange portion extending radially outward and terminating at a position adjacent the CV joint boot, thereby encompassing the shoulder therebetween, the inner seal body having a shaft sealing portion for sealing with the first shaft to inhibit the migration of lubricant from the bearing therebetween, and the inner seal body having a shield portion that extends between the front can sealing portion and the shaft sealing portion.