Easy pinion shaft seal removal.

[Kaiser2boy]

After studying the project I saw a lot about how much work it is to rmove the seals. I came up with a way to pop the seal out with almost no effort.
I made a slide hammer out of a good grade 1/4 inch round rod about a foot long with a small -L- on one end and a 2 pound slide and a stopper on the dead end.
I drilled 4, 5/16th holes in the face of the seal close to the outer edge at 10 o clock and 2 and 5 and 7. Slipped the -L- end in one of the holes and gave the slide a fair yank. I did the same on each drill hole and the seal moved. I went around one more time and the seal popped out. It took 5 minutes .

[Gordon Maney]

Good job. The first one I ever took out — years ago — was a huge struggle. Grrr....

[Kaiser2boy]

Thanks.
At first I thought it had been replaced prior and thats why it was so easy. But no, it was an original felt/leather seal .

[John S]

Glad you had success! The first seal I removed popped right out, using a slide hammer. I have taken out at least 20 seals using several methods. That first seal was easiest of all using the slide hammer puller None ever came out using that method again. Some I ended up using the caveman method.(Hammer and Chisel). Now I tack weld a ring to the face of the seal and use a gear puller. One thing, I have never removed a seal while the third member was still installed in the truck

[Kaiser2boy]

John S.
Both of the ones I did were still in the truck and that makes it a bit more difficult . As I mentioned I researched the job a bit and saw where just trying to pull them out by inserting something into the shaft opening and prying or pulling just bent the seal face out or broke it off.

The idea came to me to drill some holes around the outer edge as close to the housing as I could without damaging the casting. Then twisting in the -L- section and hooking it behind the seal and having at it.

The first one came out in a mater of minutes the rear one was a bit harder and I did heat it up with a torch in a few spots before it decided to come out. Actually getting the new one in was a bit of a test. Working from under the truck trying to tap it into place took quite a few tries.

Maybe if I was 30 years younger it would not have been as hard, ha ha ha but they are in now and no leaks. If these seals last as long as the originals the next time it will be someone else's job .

[Gordon Maney]

I wish I was 30 years younger.....

[Paul Cook]

You are...

in person.

[Gordon Maney]

Thank you!!!!