An oil seal having the usual lips for retaining oil and a guide member made of a variety of relatively stiff or rigid materials. The guide member is made slightly larger than the smallest diameter of the seal member when the seal rests on the shaft. The seal member can have the guide member on either the air side or the oil side of the seal. The disclosure also relates to a shipping plug, which is inserted into the seal and retains the oil in place during shipping when the seal is installed but a shaft is not installed.