Springs in mechanical seals have to be guided. For rotating springs without a guide, the higher the circumferential speed, the greater the risk of radial deflection with resultant buckling of the spring(s) or of damage to the mechanical seal caused by imbalance. For stationary springs the guide serves as "just" an assembly aid or – particularly for long, slender springs designed to compensate axial shaft displacement – as a means to increase their buckling strength. Single springs can be guided in the drive collar, in the seal face, in the seal face and on the shaft, in the seal face and in or on the drive collar, or between separate moulded parts such as e.g. corner rings. Multiple springs are guided on one or two sides in bore holes. A guide mandrel is inserted in addition in extremely long springs.

 
Examples of guides for multiple springs in mechanical seals