915 differential output seal

[Dr J]

Ok. I give up. What's the trick to removing the transmission differential output seal? I tried a gear puller, a long screwdriver and all I've managed is to bend the lip outward but no significant progress.

This is the seal by the output flange connecting to the cv joint.

Suggestions?

[Flat6pac]

Heavier, longer screwdriver,
Bruce

[KTL]

You gotta pop it out. Prying steadily only bends the seal lip. You have to strike the thing your prying on with a hammer.

[RWebb]

use a seal puller - a long heavy hook (not a harness for a pinniped)

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by Dr J

Ok. I give up. What's the trick to removing the transmission differential output seal? I tried a gear puller, a long screwdriver and all I've managed is to bend the lip outward but no significant progress.

This is the seal by the output flange connecting to the cv joint.

Suggestions?

You don't want to scar the metal around the seal. Try to work in toward the center of the opening from an outer edge. This means that you want to work a tool (sharp screwdriver, small pry tool, etc.) into the seal by tapping with a hammer. The seal is usually a metal structure encased in material (Viton, rubber, etc.), and you want to bend that metal inward; away from the diff housing. Once you've got a bend you've got a place to work from. It's hard to explain, just plot your moves, think, and then do - slowly.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by RWebb

use a seal puller - a long heavy hook (not a harness for a pinniped)

LOL - aquatic mammal pun. Excellent.

[Matt Monson]

Heat. Put a torch to the metal around the seal for about 30 seconds. Pop, it will pry right out.

[frankc]

If the gearbox is drained, and this is one of the later 915 where you can safely remove both flanges, you may want to consider simply removing the differential side cover and differential (lifts right out). Then it's easy to pop out the seals from the inside. This is how I did mine, and it also provides a good opportunity to inspect the diff carrier bearings.

[JamesKay]

I used a piece of MDF and a hammer.

Lots of concentration thrown in to make sure I didn't follow in the drunkard's path that removed it last time my gearbox was opened.

Just work your way around on opposing sides with some gentle taps, don't let it come out iffy.

Good luck!

[christiandk]

Just had a battle with the seals.....they did not want to come out. Tried different screwdrivers, from the inside, from the outside, heat, hammers etc. No go.

Picked up a medium sized open end wrench and tugged it down over the seal carefully not damaging the sealing surface. One or two taps with the hammer on the other end of the wrench and they popped right out. Only one minor mark on the surface (from the screwdriver), which was polished off with some fine sand paper.

Also the large shims from the tranny mounts are excellent to bang on to get the new seals back in.....when you dont have the proper tool.