Input shaft small seal removal

[rtbeemer]

Replacing bearings & seals in an '85 R80RT tranny. Seeking tips for removing the small 8x14x4 garter shaft seal from rear end of input shaft. It is seated (backwards) in shaft with lips facing out approx .016" above flush. Nothing solid to grab with seal puller, can't tap out from opposite (spline) end of shaft. No reference to procedure in manuals, forums, articles. Only options I can think of involves a hammer ...

a. deform the metal of seal by punching down exposed lip enough to grab with pliers.
b. wedge small screwdriver tip between seal and bottom of shaft pocket to get enough gap for seal puller.

Rubber contact surface is damaged so seal needs to be removed. Thanks for sharing any experience with this procedure!

[Kurt in S.A.]

I didn't realize there was a seal on the aft end of the input shaft...just figured there was the seal on the front side. I doubt something like this would work, but when I was removing the front seal from the outside, I drilled a hole into the exposed seal and a seal puller like this was used to lever it out.

http://www.powersportsplace.com/parts/w ... 7AodzTgASQ

Harbor Freight has something like it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/seal-puller-35556.html

Kurt in S.A.

[rtbeemer]

Thanks for tips Kurt. The rear input shaft seal was introduced with the lightened clutch/carrier after 1980. Can't drill or it will damage shaft since seal "upside down" in the shaft pocket. Only grab point is the soft rubber part of the seal. Service manual says pry out with screwdriver, so must insert (with some force) between metal shell of seal and shaft pocket bottom. Am going to grind down a small flat blade screwdriver for a tap and pry (pray?) tool. Would add picture of seal in shaft but attachment quota for site is full.

[ME 109]

Tap the outsides of the seal inwards towards the centre to give something to grab with pointy nose pliers etc.
Take mucho care installing new one because it will deform easily.
Carefully press the new seal into place.
I used an old woodworkers vice as a press (smooth jaws), it worked ok.
Put some light oil on the seal before pressing in.

[rtbeemer]

Carefully tapped down 20% of seal lip to prevent tearing until I had enough to grab with needle nose pliers. Put screwdriver flat blade under pliers tip for added leverage, seal pulled right out of shaft pocket. Thanks for the advice, this method works fine with no damage to the shaft, will follow guidance on re-inserting seal. Progress!