A mechanical face seal housing includes an annular seal-receiving section, a seal force transfer section that extends axially from the annular-seal receiving section, and an annular contact section axially spaced from the seal-receiving section. An annular spring between the contact section and a support wall provides a bias force against the contact section. The contact section transfers the bias force to the seal-receiving section to provide a sealing force between a graphitic carbon ring and a rotatable seal surface.