Output shaft seal - is the felt important?

[Streamln1]

In short, had someone disassemble and reassemble my tranny after having it powdercoated, all is good except the felt on the output shaft seal was torn off, I am on the fence if I should go through replacing it or leave it as is? I can't imagine the seal leaking because of the felt but I am worried about debris from the clutch etc getting into the seal. Since its a 25 spline the bell housing needs to come off.

[RealMcCoy]

Why not just use a little adhesive and glue the felt back on the current seal?

[Streamln1]

I thought of that but it's gone

[HLxDrummer]

I would replace it. Not that much more work and you'll be pissed if you have to take the trans back out... I am talking from experience lol

[Streamln1]

Well, I did actually find the felt lol.

Glued it back in with some permatex rubber cement and some C/A along the outside edges... seems like it should stay

Fingers crossed, or I will be chasing down a leak and pulling the tranny. Good thing is I have it down to an art, I can have it off in about an hr...

[green-lantern]

Put fluid in it before you put the trans back in to see if it leaks. I'm willing to bet if the felt is torn off, the seal is bad. They are very easy to tear, mine looked perfect and leaked very bad.

I've had two that looked perfect but were bad. Now I install them after I put the cases back together (if I have a new one).

[EvanH]

As far as I knew the felt was to keep fluid on the seal to keep it lubricated as its main reason. But it does add a little structural rigidity.

[Streamln1]

Well the trans is installed right now so we will see what happens...if it leaks it is what it is, will pull it.
The seal was new 2 years ago and maybe 1000 miles.