What is that bead of yellow grease in the front hub oil seal about?

[repo]

What exactly is that bead of yellow grease for in the inner oil seal on the front hub? Nothing rides on it and it looks untouched since 1999 so doesn't seem to lubricate anything. It keeps dirt and moisture out? What kind of grease is it?

 

[swapped_mini]

Seals are generally greased so they install easily and without tearing, could be leftover from being greased at install? If it covers a small spring that runs around the seal, grease is often used to keep that little spring from popping out of the seal while it is tapped into place.
Those are my guesses.

 

[Vansnxtweek]

Hahahah that's kind of funny you ask..I was just wondering the same thing last week when I had everything apart.

 

[photoleif]

Seals are generally greased so they install easily and without tearing, could be leftover from being greased at install? If it covers a small spring that runs around the seal, grease is often used to keep that little spring from popping out of the seal while it is tapped into place.
Those are my guesses.

i think that's the right guess -- install with grease to avoid tearing and make it less of a fight. the FSM has that as a hint -- "Coat MP grease to the oil seal lip".