Thanks for the reply.
Looking at it more closely I suppose the corrosion / rust in the picture is more cosmetic then anything with the real damage being done to the shaft and bearings. Keeping water off of the front of the motor doesn't help much if water can still get to the shaft and bearings.
Just frustrated with the engineering, I had no leaks and the pump was fairly quiet before closing the pool down last fall so there was no reason I would have expected the seal to have gone bad (motor is 4 years old). Turned pump on to open pool and it was obvious the bearings had rusted.
The good news is my wife bought a replacement pump from you all for I think 169 or so along with a go kit for gaskets and seals. Local pool place wanted 349 for the replacement motor. I put everything back together last night and pump is running great and it's quiet.
Suprised to see Century replacement was built in Mexico whereas the old one was Tipp City ohio.
Anyhow, think I will replace the seal every couple of years going forward. Bet these motors would last for far longer if.
1. Removed and stored inside during the winter.
2. Seal replaced every 2 or 3 years
In the mean time, would love to know if there is an easy way to know that the seal has failed OTHER than the motor making tons of noise at which point it's to late. I suppose I could have just replaced the bearings but that screw next to the shaft was so rusted it was not coming off.
Thanks for your help
Richard