Abstract: A self-contained rotary mechanical seal is provided for mounting on a rotating shaft to form a seal between the shaft and structure on a housing through which the shaft extends. The seal includes an annular lug holder to be secured to the shaft as by set screws. A plurality of lugs extend from the lug holder parallel to the shaft. Tines extend circumferentially from the ends of the lugs concentric to the axis of the lug holder. A belleville washer assembly is disposed within the lugs. An annular carbon seal washer also is disposed at least partially within the lugs. The seal washer includes radially extending shoulders dimensioned to engage the lugs and tines. In assembled form, the shoulders 15 of the carbon seal washer are urged by the spring force of the belleville washers against the tines. The tines retain the carbon seal washer in a position partially within the lugs.