Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Mechanical Seals
Mechanical seals are precision components — and even small mistakes during installation can lead to premature failure. Whether you’re installing a single cartridge seal or a dual cartridge seal, avoiding these common pitfalls will save time, money, and downtime.
Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Seal Size
Installing the wrong shaft size or bore size is the fastest way to cause leaks.
✅ Solution: Always measure OD, ID, and width with calipers and confirm against the pump manufacturer’s specs (or use the Paradigm Seal Selector).
Mistake 2: Dry Running the Seal
Running a seal without lubrication or flush fluid burns the faces within seconds.
✅ Solution: Make sure the seal chamber is primed with the correct process fluid or flush plan before startup.
Mistake 3: Poor Shaft Alignment
Even a small shaft misalignment causes uneven wear and face damage.
✅ Solution: Check pump and motor alignment before installing the seal.
Mistake 4: Contamination During Installation
Dust, dirt, or fingerprints on the seal faces can reduce performance and cause early leaks.
✅ Solution: Clean the seal, shaft, and stuffing box thoroughly. Handle seal faces with gloves and avoid touching the polished surfaces.
Mistake 5: Over-Tightening Gland Bolts
Excessive torque can distort the gland or crack brittle seal faces.
✅ Solution: Follow the torque specifications provided in the installation guide. Tighten bolts in a star pattern, evenly, and to the correct setting.
Bonus Tip: Skipping the Installation Guide
Every seal family (A1, A2, A1 Short, QuickCore+) comes with specific installation instructions. Skipping these increases the chance of error.
Paradigm’s Advantage
Paradigm Seals™ are designed for simplified installation — with cartridge designs that reduce the risk of errors. Plus, our Installation Guides & Videos (available on the Resources page) walk you through each step.
Key Takeaway
Avoiding these five mistakes will extend seal life and keep your pump running smoothly. Always measure carefully, prime before startup, align the shaft, handle seals cleanly, and tighten bolts correctly.
