Installed Seal - Garter Spring Popped Out
 

Thinking it wise to dry-install my oil pump and push into place the new (new design) geared sleeve to test its fit, I then needed to remove the pump and back the sleeve out through the newly installed oil seal. When I did this, the oil seal's garter spring popped out...leaving me with a real head-scratcher of a problem of how to re-install it.

The new seal itself looks fine (no nicks, etc.) - but it looks like I'll need something to expand the garter spring evenly around its circumference to get it to go back into place into the seal.

Have tried holding several small screwdrivers while attempting to hold the lip of the seal down, and tried fitting the ends of a piston ring compressor into the seal with the idea of using it to expand the spring - but no go.

Anybody have any tricks up their sleeves? Thanks!

Just got it in! Held two small screwdrivers and a "J" bent pick in one hand, holding most of the spring in place, then snuck my fingers of the other hand up through the other side of the seal...held the inner seal lip down...and it popped back in!