Grease Seal Removal

[TimeZone]

Pulled the gimbal bearing out today and decided to replace the grease seal as well.

Is there a trick to getting this thing out?

I tried the slide hammer but it just slips off the soft rubber. There is a notch at the bottom of the housing that seems to go right through to the back side of the seal. Is there a special hook that can be used to get in there and pull?

Searching the forum I found numerours threads on pulling the bearing but no mention of the seal. From what I've read it's not much more than a dust seal and most people don't change it. But I'm a stickler for detail and would preffer to swap it out. It is visibly worn near the top as well.

BTW - The knowledge available on this site is awesome. I'm making a bearing insertion tool at work this week based on the specs found in the "Must Have" sticky and I already made myself an alignment tool a couple weeks ago.

TIA - Ron

 

[TimeZone]

Re: Grease Seal Removal

Argh. Can't seem to save edits on my post.

Anyway... Forgot to mention drive details.

It's a 2005, 4.3, Alpha, 1 Gen 2.

 

[achris]

Re: Grease Seal Removal

Argh. Can't seem to save edits on my post.

Anyway... Forgot to mention drive details.

It's a 2005, 4.3, Alpha, 1 Gen 2.

OK.. the seal can be just pulled out with a pair of strong pliers...

Could you check the front of your sump for an oil leak... I have a suspicion you might have a ba sump that can crack the plastic timing cover....

Thanks....

Chris........

 

[TimeZone]

Re: Grease Seal Removal

...Could you check the front of your sump for an oil leak... I have a suspicion you might have a ba sump that can crack the plastic timing cover....
Thanks....
Chris........

I'll take a look tomorrow night. Assuming your talking about this: cracked timing cover
I just got the boat, so I probably won't know if there is a leak until I take it out for a shakedown. Hope I dodged the bullet.

Tried to get at the seal with pliers but reaching through the bellows I'm coming at it straight on.
If I could come at it from an angle then pliers would be a snap.

 

[achris]

Re: Grease Seal Removal

I'll take a look tomorrow night. Assuming your talking about this: cracked timing cover
I just got the boat, so I probably won't know if there is a leak until I take it out for a shakedown. Hope I dodged the bullet.

Tried to get at the seal with pliers but reaching through the bellows I'm coming at it straight on.
If I could come at it from an angle then pliers would be a snap.

That's the one...

Try with multi-grips, they have angled jaws and should be able to get into the hole in the centre...

Chris......