A rotary shaft seal housing including a body having an aperture defining a central axis and an inner surface, the body defining a cavity concentric to the central axis of the aperture and extending outward from the central axis and into the body, and a flange extending inward toward the central axis a distance beyond the inner surface, the flange having a first surface contiguous with the cavity and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the cavity is adapted to hold a sealing element, and wherein the first surface is generally smooth.