Crank seal help.

[bobtodd23]

Trying to change the upper crank seal on a '81 Johnson 25 hp.
I've searched a few posts and found some info, but was wondering if there are any tricks to getting the seal out?? I found a special tool online for $125 which is a little more than I want to spend...the marine shop said it would be around $100 for them to do it.
Is there anyway of doing this myself?
I read about someone tapping screws into the seal and pulling up on the screws? I can't get the screws to thread in...not enough bite at the tip of the screw to set in.
Any ideas? Thank you!

 

[bktheking]

Re: Crank seal help.

Here's what I did on my 15 last night- I grabbed a drywall screw in the garage, popped through it and then again until it was through large enough- then I put a punch in the hole and punched counter clockwise on and angle then pushed the punch downward. Then used a flathead screwdriver to pry up on the punch while I held it, it popped up.

 

[14ftgrumman]

Re: Crank seal help.

Pull off the recoil and the flywheel and pay the $100.00.

You won't end up destroying anything else. I could be a real cheap $100.00, or an expensive diy. If you break out too much of the seal, the case will have to be split to get the remainder out.

Just my .02.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Crank seal help.

Here are some pics of the seal, no damage done to the powerhead. Just do it on an angle as to not go down into the powerhead.

PS- I dug this out of a garbage can to show you

 

[6hpboat]

Re: Crank seal help.

Very easy to take out with common sense. ( like posted)

You just need to slide a sharp edge on shaft and pull upward.

 

[bobtodd23]

Re: Crank seal help.

Thank you for the replies and the pictures! I appreciate it. I'm trying to be really careful. I've never done this before so I am nervous about not making it more costly than what it is. How hard is the seal to pop up?
I was trying to drill a hole in the seal, but I could only drill at an angle and the bit kept sliding off towards the crankshaft. I tried punching a screw in with a hammer, but like I said before I didnt get it in far enough for the threads to catch yet.
I'll try again tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[bktheking]

Re: Crank seal help.

I had the seal out within 4 minutes from start, the drywall screws have a nice sharp tip to break through. Mine came up very easily. Don't bother with a drill, stick to a thin punch and tap on an angle, as you can see I went on a angle in one direction and another using the punch, I should have recorded it.

 

[bobtodd23]

Re: Crank seal help.

When installing the new seal, do I just slide it down the crank and tap it into place??

 

[bktheking]

Re: Crank seal help.

I use a big enough 1/2 drive deep socket (22MM was mine) , just match the seal diameter with the socket and tap it down till it seats.

 

[bobtodd23]

Re: Crank seal help.

I cannot get this seal out
I've tried a modified screwdriver, punching a hole with a screw, drilling, paint can opener, etc. I'm frustrated and am about to take it in to the shop. I'm not even sure if I were to peal the seal up enough if I could get pliers on it...maybe needle nose. It's down in the casting too far to get pliers on it.
Grrrrrr....lol.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Crank seal help.

Thin punch , sounds like it hasn't been tried.

 

[The original Smokey]

Re: Crank seal help.

Since you've been drilling and prying and who knows what else- take it too the shop.
When you drilled you got drill chaff down into the needle bearing. Sure, keep pounding away at it and you'll get it out, then you'll put the new seal in, go running around with the motor until it starts making a screaching sound. When this happens you'll know the upper bearing is shot from the crud you got in it when you were digging in there. Then you can sell it for parts...

Sorry, just being honest-

You should have bought the seal puller. You could have used it and resold it.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Crank seal help.

Or do as Smokey & 14ftgrumman said, take it to a shop and pay the piper.

 

[bobtodd23]

Re: Crank seal help.

I never got the drill bit through the seal, so there are no metal shavings down below the seal. I may give it another go. I don't have a punch so I haven't been able to try that. Thank you all for the input!