It looks to me like only the metal is split, but I dont know.  Im looking at them on a laptop monitor, so its hard to tell.  Good point though.

EDIT:  Looked at it closer, and it looks like the metal and that outter part is split, however, there seems to be a continuous piece below, am I crazy?  Ok, maybe it IS split completely, but being split at the top wouldnt be a HUGE deal, would it?

Well, its hard to tell from the picture, but it could have multiple layers to it, which would help with this problem.  Something like an inner wiper and an outter?

Yeah, its the inner axle seal thats leaking, which I have.  I just wanted to toss some new seals on the back of the knuckles too at the same time.  I just didnt want to spring for the whole kit with the bearings and everything yet.  Just kinda wanted it patched up for now.

I was also thinking these would be good for changing birfs/axles on the trail since you could just undo the 8 bolts, and just let it hang or whatever instead of having all those layers to deal with once you take the bolts out.  Just seems more simple, assuming they work...

~T.J.