Tornado Bearing Seal 19158

The seal is what stands between the brush bearing and everything the machine picks up. It costs a few dollars, it is the smallest part in the assembly, and it decides the life of the most expensive parts around it. Part number 19158 is the genuine OEM bearing seal.

Compatible Models for the Bearing Seal

This part is shared across a wide run of machines. On the Marathon 1200 family it is fitted to:

• Tornado 98168 12 Gallon Self Contained Carpet Extractor
• Tornado 98168 20″ Marathon 1200 Carpet Extractor (12 Gallon, 115V) — all series
• Tornado 98169 20″ Marathon 1200 Carpet Extractor (12 Gallon, 230V)
• Fits many other machines — call 763-535-0770 and we will confirm fitment for your machine.

Seals do not usually fail dramatically. The lip hardens, loses its light interference against the shaft, and stops excluding water. Nothing looks wrong. What you find months later is a bearing full of rusty slurry and a shaft with a corroded journal, and by then the cheap part has cost you the expensive ones.

That is why the rule here is to replace the seal every single time the bearing area is opened, whether or not it looks damaged. A seal that has been running for a season has hardened; refitting it is the most expensive economy available on this machine.

Look at the lip when you remove it. A healthy lip is flexible and has a defined edge. One that is hard, glazed, cracked or that has a visible groove worn into it has been leaking for a while. Detergent is what ages it — cleaning chemicals soften the elastomer and then embrittle it, so seals here age by season rather than by hours run.

Fit it the right way round. A lip seal is directional: the lip faces the side it is excluding, and a seal fitted backwards will pump water in rather than keep it out. If you are not sure, note the orientation of the old one before it comes out.

Do not damage it on installation. Sliding a lip over a sharp shaft shoulder or a keyway nicks it, and a nicked lip leaks from day one. Tape over the sharp edge, lubricate the lip, and press the seal squarely rather than tapping one side at a time.

Browse every assembly for this machine on the Tornado 98168 Marathon 1200 parts hub, and see the manufacturer’s range at tornadovac.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What machines does the bearing seal 19158 fit?

It is fitted to the Tornado 98168 12 Gallon Self Contained carpet extractor and the 98168 20″ Marathon 1200 in all series, and it is shared across many other machines. Call 763-535-0770 with your model and serial number and we will confirm fitment before you order.

Should I replace the seal if it looks undamaged?

Yes, every time the bearing area is opened. Seals fail by hardening rather than tearing — the lip loses its light interference against the shaft and stops excluding water while looking perfectly normal. Refitting a used seal is the most expensive economy available on this machine.

My new seal leaked straight away — what went wrong?

Usually orientation or installation damage. A lip seal is directional, and one fitted backwards pumps water in rather than keeping it out. Sliding the lip over a sharp shoulder or keyway also nicks it, and a nicked lip leaks from the first day — tape the edge and lubricate the lip before fitting.

How do I order the Bearing Seal (part# 19158) or get help?

You can add the Bearing Seal (part# 19158) directly to your cart on this page, or call us at 763-535-0770. Our staff at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428 has been servicing Tornado equipment since 1956 and can help confirm the right part for your machine.

Questions? Call us at 763-535-0770 or visit us at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428.