Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Timd32
TDR MEMBER
I have been working on my nieces 03 Focus redoing the front end, CV shafts, struts, and knuckles, wheel bearings. Its been a bear of a project as its a NE car, sub frame is in great shape but the hardware is pretty frozen soild.
Aside from that its moving along.
The drivers side CV shaft axle seal was seeping a bit, 138k, so was doing the shaft anyway, the seal was $3.50 on RA, I grabbed 2 JIC.
Old seal popped right out no issue, got my all in one seal driver kit, had a pretty good plan of attack, went to install and install and could never get the thing straight enough, rework my plan use some more parts and pieces from a second all in one seal installer kit still no luck. Now this is a normal oil seal except it has a metal gaurd around it to prevent rocks or stuff from damaging the seal. I would up bending the metal guard to the point I knew it would be an issue later.
Went to tractor supply with my caliper in hand grabbed some plastic pipe odds and ends to make my own installer, then stopped by the autoparts store and found a exhaust adapter that was perfect looking. Well the plastic stuff never quite worked as well as it looked it was perfect, I modified my curent seal installer to make a centering ring and the sort but still could not get the right pressure in the proper location.
Moved on to the exhaust adapter, that was the perfect size, except was too thin and I destroyed the seal in 2 hits.
So 0-2, out of seals. This was Saturday.
Good News: joined a Ford Focus forum dug thru their posts they make a special installer for this seal with a nice long handle and the sort.
Bad News: is Sat PM not getting that kind of thing for a few days, also its week before xmas so good luck on shipping and the sort.
Sunday run down to a NAPA they actually had the right seals, none of the big chains have them, little bit more $ grab 2 more $21. No one had any sort of installer that I did not already have. Don't really have a good plan for these 2 but tried some more stuff, at this point the garage is a complete mess of tools pullers, extractors, drivers, and the sort. Well seal #3 did not last long before it was trash, seal #4 is still OK but a little roughed up, so off to the internet to find the special tools in stock for a cheap price with quick shippping.
Tried the normal, Amazon, Rock Auto, NAPA, Advanced.
Then there were some botique places but the prices were double what I was seeing on ebay, ebay is hit and miss and shipping is usually USPS and this needed UPS or FedEx due to the season.
Then I ran across the honey hole Freedomracing.com they had everything I need including cross reference to less expensive installer that would work with the others. They rent stuff for 50% the cost, they had used versions with guarantee replacement. Of couse I was skeptic could be some scam of a site and say in stock and be out the $ with no special tools.
I picked out my tools a mix of used, new, and alternatives. Choose next day air was very inexpensive option for my case. Hoping for the best submit my order. Maybe 9pm Sunday.
11AM Monday get email with tracking number that parts will ship Monday. Monday PM I check tracking they got picked up and in route.
Today 10am special tools in hand.
I will say if you need to get a special tool fast check these guys out for sure to see if they can meet your needs. I never called them but they have a number and say they can help with selections.
Freedomracing.com
Still have to try out the special stuff, but got 2 more seals from RA and they fit the tool very well.
This was my home made set up, the issue is all you are hitting is the edge of the seal due to the guard. Looks cool did not work.
Guarded Seal
Pressed in the hubs and knuckles, at least those went in pretty nice, as its all new stuff.
What a mess!
Aside from that its moving along.
The drivers side CV shaft axle seal was seeping a bit, 138k, so was doing the shaft anyway, the seal was $3.50 on RA, I grabbed 2 JIC.
Old seal popped right out no issue, got my all in one seal driver kit, had a pretty good plan of attack, went to install and install and could never get the thing straight enough, rework my plan use some more parts and pieces from a second all in one seal installer kit still no luck. Now this is a normal oil seal except it has a metal gaurd around it to prevent rocks or stuff from damaging the seal. I would up bending the metal guard to the point I knew it would be an issue later.
Went to tractor supply with my caliper in hand grabbed some plastic pipe odds and ends to make my own installer, then stopped by the autoparts store and found a exhaust adapter that was perfect looking. Well the plastic stuff never quite worked as well as it looked it was perfect, I modified my curent seal installer to make a centering ring and the sort but still could not get the right pressure in the proper location.
Moved on to the exhaust adapter, that was the perfect size, except was too thin and I destroyed the seal in 2 hits.
So 0-2, out of seals. This was Saturday.
Good News: joined a Ford Focus forum dug thru their posts they make a special installer for this seal with a nice long handle and the sort.
Bad News: is Sat PM not getting that kind of thing for a few days, also its week before xmas so good luck on shipping and the sort.
Sunday run down to a NAPA they actually had the right seals, none of the big chains have them, little bit more $ grab 2 more $21. No one had any sort of installer that I did not already have. Don't really have a good plan for these 2 but tried some more stuff, at this point the garage is a complete mess of tools pullers, extractors, drivers, and the sort. Well seal #3 did not last long before it was trash, seal #4 is still OK but a little roughed up, so off to the internet to find the special tools in stock for a cheap price with quick shippping.
Tried the normal, Amazon, Rock Auto, NAPA, Advanced.
Then there were some botique places but the prices were double what I was seeing on ebay, ebay is hit and miss and shipping is usually USPS and this needed UPS or FedEx due to the season.
Then I ran across the honey hole Freedomracing.com they had everything I need including cross reference to less expensive installer that would work with the others. They rent stuff for 50% the cost, they had used versions with guarantee replacement. Of couse I was skeptic could be some scam of a site and say in stock and be out the $ with no special tools.
I picked out my tools a mix of used, new, and alternatives. Choose next day air was very inexpensive option for my case. Hoping for the best submit my order. Maybe 9pm Sunday.
11AM Monday get email with tracking number that parts will ship Monday. Monday PM I check tracking they got picked up and in route.
Today 10am special tools in hand.
I will say if you need to get a special tool fast check these guys out for sure to see if they can meet your needs. I never called them but they have a number and say they can help with selections.
Freedomracing.com
Still have to try out the special stuff, but got 2 more seals from RA and they fit the tool very well.
This was my home made set up, the issue is all you are hitting is the edge of the seal due to the guard. Looks cool did not work.
Guarded Seal
Pressed in the hubs and knuckles, at least those went in pretty nice, as its all new stuff.
What a mess!
