Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) is there a trick to installing front oil seal????????

[paulsmith]

On the advice of everyone, I went ahead and pulled the front cover on my 96 to check the KDP. It was fine, and all bolts where tight (at 302,000 miles) so I put the tab over the pin. Now I am trying to install the front seal, and have been tapping on it for over a hour, and cant get it to start in the cover. I very wel may have damaged the seal as the little seal driver just slips around.

I have drove in many seals before, but this one is just too much of a tight fit.

What tricks to use?

Paul smith

www.turbovan.net

 

[NHouse]

I used my bench vise and a couple blocks of wood, just go slow and make sure it is square. You can also put the seal in the freezer and the cover in the oven for a while to get the seal to slide in a little easier.



Nick

 

[JGK]

Admittedly, a press or equivalent (vise) makes it easier. The last one I did didn't have the metal install tool (ring). So I made an installer by cutting a circle out of a piece of 1X6 poplar plank I had lying around. I cut it just a tad smaller than the hole in the cover. I had a press to put it in with, but I think I could have done it without using that piece of wood. They are a bit of a challenge.



-Jay

 

[paulsmith]

I took it the local garage, with a press. Took him about twenty minutes of "chasing it" before he finally got it to start straight, then pressed it in.

Got it back together, fixing to finish up!



Paul

 

[SRadke]

They're a royal PITA. Put a block under it and be diligent, my record is 25 minutes.



-Scott

 

[DPinkston]

If I remember correctly, I pressed mine in from the back and used the depth thingy that came with it and it was no trouble at all. The depth thing bottomed out on the cover when it got to the correct location. It didn't stick in mind as being particularly troublesome.

Danny

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I had to fight mine quite a while. I would get it going then it would cock to one side or the other. Finally after a half hour I got 'er in there.



Then I wasn't clear on how to use the plastic piece to assist in sliding the seal over the end of the crank. Once I got 'er figured out it worked great. I was worried about stretching out the seal having the plastic piece between the seal and crank but it's quite elastic.



I wiped it down good with brake cleaner to make sure it was totally grease free. 12,000 miles later it's dry as a bone. I was concerned about leakage because there was a sizable groove worn into the crank end by the old seal but glad it hasn't been a problem.



Vaughn

 

[Koa Man]

I didn't have much trouble getting my front seal in either. A large drill press pushed it in pretty easily.

 

[Howard Durand]

I put the cover on without the seal then pressed the seal in with the crankshaft dampner.