System and method for manufacturing a face seal with controlled load tolerance

A method for manufacturing a face seal, the face sealing including a sealing ring having a seal flange and an inner body portion, the face seal further including an elastomeric load ring positioned around an outer perimeter of the inner body portion of the sealing ring, the method comprising:

• positioning a machining device relative to the face seal such that the face seal is compressed between a machining surface of the machining device and a support member on which the face seal is supported;
• removing material from the seal flange using the machining device while the face seal remains compressed between the machining device and the support member;
• monitoring a compressive load applied through the face seal as material is being removed from the seal flange;
• and
• adjusting the operation of the machining device to prevent further removal of material from the seal flange when the monitored compressive load is equal to a predetermined load setting.