So while replacing a broken CV, I noticed a small leak at the differential, and set about replacing the seal there.
Pulling the seal was actually pretty stuborn, but eventually with a little more elbow grease than I would have preferred, it did pop.
The tight fit and severe lack of swing space meant re-installation was going to be a chore.
Looking around the garage I finally found the perfect tool! A 3" plumbing clean out fit the seal and inside the flange perfectly!
Well foolishly I tried using that with a hammer, only to meet witmuch frustration, let alone dropping the "clean" seal on the garage floor a few times. (Here's hoping I cleaned it right!)
Then I got smart. I drillled a hole through the clean out and used the cap screw through the centre to pull the seal in!
It of course keeps wanting to go in crooked, but a few light taps around the rim squares it up and then the bolt will be looser, tighten down, square seal with hammer, rise repeat until the clean out is flush with the green flange.
This seal install was a bit of a battle, but I haven't had one leak on me yet. Once again, working smarter instead of harder saved the day.
Yes I damaged the bottom of the flanged pulling the old seal, but I'm thinking it didn't touch the sealing surfaces.
Yes I know the differential needs cleaning, I'm due for a clutch very soon I'll do it then.
Pulling the seal was actually pretty stuborn, but eventually with a little more elbow grease than I would have preferred, it did pop.
The tight fit and severe lack of swing space meant re-installation was going to be a chore.
Looking around the garage I finally found the perfect tool! A 3" plumbing clean out fit the seal and inside the flange perfectly!
Well foolishly I tried using that with a hammer, only to meet witmuch frustration, let alone dropping the "clean" seal on the garage floor a few times. (Here's hoping I cleaned it right!)
Then I got smart. I drillled a hole through the clean out and used the cap screw through the centre to pull the seal in!
It of course keeps wanting to go in crooked, but a few light taps around the rim squares it up and then the bolt will be looser, tighten down, square seal with hammer, rise repeat until the clean out is flush with the green flange.
This seal install was a bit of a battle, but I haven't had one leak on me yet. Once again, working smarter instead of harder saved the day.
Yes I damaged the bottom of the flanged pulling the old seal, but I'm thinking it didn't touch the sealing surfaces.
Yes I know the differential needs cleaning, I'm due for a clutch very soon I'll do it then.