Posted by Steve Kanavas on August 02, 1999 at 21:30:20:
In Reply to: Let's start it off on the lighter side, I'm taking a poll.... posted by Moby on August 01, 1999 at 06:42:57:
After swearing at pinion seals, (think of swearing as a lubricant), chisels etc., I got creative. Take the ultimate tool of destruction, the air chisel, and sharpen that useless rusted barrel lid cutting tool that's been in your tool box for eleven years to a relatively sharp point.
Gently poke two holes into the seal metal at 180 degrees. Don't make the holes too big!! Tap these holes that have had the metal pushed neatly inwards with a 5/16 tap. Don't worry about chips, as those seals are deep, and closed on the inside.
Put the nut back on the pinion, and use two bolts in these nifty threaded holes and the two bolt puller pushing against the pinion end.
You will be surprised how those seals come out so evenly. You'll be so amazed, you'll forget to cuss.
Use modern two lip seals, not the Garloc/felt originals. I learned the hard way. The new style seals are only 1/4 to 3/8 deep but work well.
The disadvantages with the modern seals are that they only cost one quarter as much as the originals and don't leak.
As to the abused tool, I vote for the ubiquitous screwdriver. From concrete removal to cocktail mixer it does it all.