Method of Making a Valve Stem Seal with Formable Retainer Tabs

A method for making a valve stem seal, comprising the steps of:

• providing a metal retainer comprising a top portion and a body portion, said body portion comprising a first section and a second section, wherein in a first state, said first section of said body portion is cylindrical and said second section of said body portion is cone shaped, said metal retainer top portion and body portion defining a through passageway;
• providing a hollow mold cavity created from an outer mold piece and an inner mold piece, wherein said outer mold piece has a hollow interior and said inner mold piece is solid;
• inserting said metal retainer into said hollow interior of said outer mold piece;
• inserting said inner mold piece into said metal retainer in said hollow interior of said outer mold piece and securing said outer mold piece with said inner mold piece;
• filling a cavity around said top portion of said metal retainer with an elastomeric compound;
• removing said metal retainer and said formed rubber sealing element from said mold pieces;
• and
• pressing downward over said formed valve stem seal to compress said second section of said body portion radially inwardly, wherein in a second state said first section of said body portion is cylindrical and said second section of said body portion is cylindrical.