input seal patience?

[cjmurph]

Replacing the input seal on my 901/911. This thing was toast and basically came out in pieces. I have the majority of it out but the exterior rubber of the seal (red arrows) appears to sandwich into place and I cannot get it out. Am I missing something? I'm trying to razor knife it out and it doesn't feel that deep so I question whether the replacement actually fits into it.

Curt

[cjmurph]

[cjmurph]

I think this borrowed pic from a rebuild tells me I have to get the rubber out. Just all the digging in the world doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere. Can I burn it out? Any ideas?

[pete3799]

Well.....hopefully the experts will chime in........but i think that seal goes on from inside the trans.

[motorcop]

Dremel?

[cjmurph]

Pete, I think the 915 is from the inside

After reading other posts, sounds like I've got company. PITA describes the removal.
I'm about to leave it and trim the new seal to allow slight pressure from the guide tube to seat it.
Ugh.

[lucittm]

Unless there is a lip on the outside (I don't see one) the seal should be able to be removed and replaced in-situ. I would use a tool that is commonly known as, get ready for it, a seal puller. It is a longish flat metal bar with two hooks on the end, one of which usually fits into the metal rim of the seal (arond the circumference of the shaft) and brings it out one side at a time. If the seal is deep. you have to work at it for awhile. A shallow seal, like the rear main seal can be pulled out at an angle. I don't think Porsche would have designed a transmission that required full dis-assembly to replace a wear part like the input seal. I replaced mine a few years ago, not fun, but not impossible either.

Mark

[cjmurph]

Mark

The problem with my crusty old seal is that what did come out (or off) at the beginning was crusty hard and brittle. When it started breaking, I thought the hard part would be the inner ring were the metal is. Unfortunately it is the outer part of the seal sitting in that little groove that simply will not come out. I half expected it to be the easiest part and the reverse is true. I've given some serious thought to the smallest dremel bit I can acquire. I have a seal removal tool, small corkscrew ended thing but it serves me no purpose with the small outer part that my rotton seal is still in. The diameter of the outer ring is very small.

Curt

[lucittm]

This is what I'm talking about.


The corkscrew thing is only good for rubber or graphite packing. This hook gets under the metal ring. Just don't scratch the shaft. The flat head of this will rest on the casing, causing minimal damage.

Mark

[RWebb]

did you try a right angle and a hooded probe already?

[RWebb]

uh yeh like the pic above, or smaller

[cjmurph]

Mark- thanks for the pic. That be what I bet I need.
Another tool for murphman.

Curt

[dhagood]

Originally Posted by cjmurph

Mark- thanks for the pic. That be what I bet I need.
Another tool for murphman.

Curt

ain't that the truth? it doesn't matter how many tools i have, i always have to go out and buy another...

[kodioneill]

I believe the base of that seal is steel. Be very careful not to damage the case or shaft while attempting to remove it. Use a piece of wood as a platform for your lever.

[mcaterino]

Curt,

One of those pictures looks awfully familiar!

I think everyone's got you on the right track, using a seal puller or something to carefully pry out the remainder of the old seal. The thing is to get it moving out straight. Any tool you can get under it will probably work, but you'll have to work your way around a tiny bit at a time. A little heat, not too much, should soften up the old rubber and might help too. If it's brittle it's going to be tough not to lose a few fragments down into the differential, but that's the case either way.

One thing that bears looking at closer is what looks to be a small notch in your outer sealing surface, into which the old seal projects. (Circled below) Is that what I'm seeing? Mine definitely didn't have anything like that, and the new seal won't seal if that's the case.


I'm not experienced to know if that was standard for some cases, but hopefully some others here can offer more insight.

Mike

[cjmurph]

Thanks fellows

Mike I saw that in the pic earlier as well. It was remnant from the seal but it really resembled some sort of tab.
I took another pic of it cleaned up a bit. I'm going to try to make some sort of puller using a putty knife as blank.
I didn't expect this. Made the drop and seperation in 3 hrs and exected to get a seal out and back in all in a day....Should've known better.

Honestly the last straw for me and this car. After I fix this leak the 71 is on the market.

Curt

[JJ 911SC]

Curt

I guess the 86 Targa win... Did I miss the photo post?

[NOLAsc]

Originally Posted by cjmurph

Honestly the last straw for me and this car. After I fix this leak the 71 is on the market.

Sorry to hear that. That car had a long way to go to get from the back of the barn to the open road.

[cjmurph]

Nah you haven't missed anything JJ. I've just my occasional turn at driving the '86 and have started thinking about the little things I'd like to do to it. Time and $ for 1 porsche is exhausting, I couldn't properly or responsibly do 2.

Small solace. When the 71 goes, it will go road worthy and I'm sure it's future owners will start up were I left off. In fact, I couldn't get myself to sell it with the mass trans leak and thats what started this thread.

Curt

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by cjmurph

... When the 71 goes, it will go road worthy and I'm sure it's future owners will start up were I left off. In fact, I couldn't get myself to sell it with the mass trans leak and thats what started this thread.

Curt

In the spirit of a true Pelican

I would have no problem taking her home except for the fact that my hands are full with one wife and one German mistress