PURPOSE: To obtain an orbiting scroll assembly of a hermetic scrolltype compressor including a scroll plate, a drive plate and connecting pins coupling the two plates together in a manner permitting axial separation therebetween.

CONSTITUTION: A seal 90 is unattachedly retained intermediate a scroll plate 78 and a drive plate 92 by a groove 88 formed in the scroll plate 78. The seal 90 extends out of the groove 88 toward the drive plate 92 to slidingly seal thereagainst. The seal 90 defines axially fixed inner portion 112 and outer portion 114 of the scroll plate 92, that are exposed to oil at discharge pressure and refrigerant at suction pressure, thereby imparting an axial compliance force.