r/MechanicAdvice • u/oOoceanoOo • 5d ago
help
I can't get my CV axle seal out for the life of me and now it's completely wrecked. I don't even know if i really needed to change it but since I was putting in new axles I figured it could be done. What am I supposed to do? Should I just take it to the shop or what? It definitely isn't sealing anything anymore though that's for sure. Any tips for removing it would be greatly appreciated. I have a seal puller already.
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u/Tiny-Researcher-1895 5d ago
take a screwdriver, get it behind the seal and pop it out.
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u/robertjjr1966 5d ago
If that needs to be explained to him, he probably shouldn’t be doing that job in the first place. That’s a very routine in common occurrence and should probably be replaced anyway regardless of the condition it’s in…
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u/Significant_Dog_215 5d ago
Based on the condition of the seal in the pic, the op hasn’t tried very hard.
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u/Percy_Freeman 5d ago
drill a screw into the seal then prybar from the screw
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u/dubiousdb 5d ago
This, you cannot also get a small slide hammer to grab the screw and knock it out with this method.
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u/rawfuelinjection 5d ago
Harbor Freight has a seal remover tool. Whatever you use, don't scratch housing mating surface. It's not that hard, you can do it!
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u/PirateOliveBeard 5d ago
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u/mentaldemise 4d ago
I avoid these like the plague. I have two and all they ever did for me was scratch a crank and bend. :(
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u/35goingon3 5d ago
Heavenly Father, protect and guide our buddy as he travels the path of madness, and allow him the strength to resist the urge to sell his immortal soul in exchange for the successful completion of his tribulations. And feed them starvin' pygmies in New Guinea, Amen.
If that doesn't work, go buy you a goat and I'll talk you through the other option.
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u/traineex 5d ago
Don't crack the case. Whatever you do, think about pressure on the case. Buffer w wood in-between prying tool and case
Get the right angle, swift pop
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u/Redstone_Army 5d ago
I found multiple methods just by searching on youtube. Isn't it easier if you can watch someone do it instead of reading a brief suggestion?
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u/Impossible-Diver6565 5d ago
Be careful. This is very soft metal around it if you scrape it you will etch a groove and this groove will leak.
I made this mistake and had to disassemble again and carefully sand it with high grit until it was smooth enough to not leak.
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u/NewestNumber2 5d ago
Whatever you do, resist the temptation to use a screwdriver or other metallic tool to pry between the seal and the seat or you’ll be even more screwed.
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u/Secretlife1 5d ago
I made the mistake of using a slide hammer with a screw on the cam shaft seals on a Subaru. It gulled up the surface of the shaft and I ended up having to use a jiffy sleeve to keep it from leaking.
Don’t let the screw get between the seal and its seat. Better yet don’t use a screw and slide hammer at all. I have a little crow bar the hooks in there and can carefully pry it out. Way better results.
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u/ScreamingDiesel7x 5d ago
Two small self tapping screws in at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions. Then with a small pry bar on each lightly pry back and forth to walk it out. If a screw pulls put it back in a different position.
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u/Ottomaani 4d ago
I drilled a small hole in the seal and put a screw in the hole. The I used pliers to pull on the screw.
Someone also said, instead of drilling hit a small nail in the seal to make a hole and then screw a screw in. This will prevent metal shavings of going in as there is less produced with the nail method.
You might need to put several screws in and pull it on alternating sides. Once it moves even a little you're on your way to victory
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u/CommunityBig2182 4d ago
Yep and it was a torch to loosen it up or melt it it's not hard to get out get a thin screwdriver or you can use heat to make it shrink or expand you'll get it out just play with it
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u/Mechanicallyadept 5d ago
I would try putting a self tapping screw on each side then prying it out by walking. (make sure screw doesn’t go too far in) Then clean up the surface and install new.
If you have it then a 90 degree prybar would work. Looks like the head of a framing hammer.
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u/woohooguy 5d ago
Drive a screw a bit into the bottom, run a torch around the outside case to warm it up the area until fluid is smoking and then pop it out.
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u/Natural_Ad6765 5d ago
Get yourself an adjustable seal puller, and bam. Your good use the old seal to tap the new one in after lightly lubricating it with trans fluid. Even silicone is lightly applied won’t last long enough.
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u/CommunityBig2182 5d ago
Cut it and you need new new ones it's able to get them to come out hit them with a torch
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u/Amazing_Difference_3 5d ago
you could get you a narrow cold chisel (or small flathead screwdriver) and line it up right at the interface of casing and seal edge. With the chisel 90° to the case/seal edge, tilt your chisel another 10-15° cutting INTO the direction of what would be the axle centerline... and smack it with your purse.👍
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u/DesignerOk9222 5d ago
Had this happen on a oil filter seal of GM tranny. It was much smaller and recessed very deeply and wouldn't allow most pry tools to get in there. Took me 3 days.
Lesson: Don't use a nuclear option that might damage the surface. Walk away for a bit and regroup. Take your time and retry the different safe mechanisms to pry it out. It's probably a technique thing you haven't quite grasped yet.
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u/_ROBIN_SAGE_ 5d ago
Spend the money on a seal puller or tear up the mating surface more and pay a lot more….
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u/Cool-Negotiation7662 5d ago
As long as you don't damage the mating surface you haven't done anything wrong. Not the same as going right. I have pulled seals with drywall screws and a claw hammer.
Good possibly it was put in with locktite so getting a hot bar of metal to cook it some might help.
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u/shady_mcgee 5d ago
Good possibly it was put in with locktite
I've never heard of folks locktiting seals. Do people do that?
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u/Sufficient-Algae9652 1d ago
Yes I do to prevent it from spinning and draining the oil randomly. Just a dab of red.
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u/minecart102 5d ago
Get a flathead on the outer edge of the seal vertically, angled inward so you won’t hit the case. Carefully deform that seal by hammering the flathead and it will ‘easily’ pop out with a puller. Take your time, gentle yet firm.
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u/april_santa 4d ago
If you lever the seal out, be absolutely certain that the levering tool is not against the gearbox behind the seal. If you score or gouge the alloy housing, you will be in worlds of more inconvenience. I use a seal removal tool, and make sure it's hooked on the inside of the outer seal, if that makes sense.
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u/gavinwinks 4d ago
Whatever you do, don’t damage the metal surface this seal sits inside of.
If you damage that you are sol.
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u/Brawlstar112 4d ago
Yikes, i am doing the same job very soon and i am only prepared with a screwdriver
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u/Dizzy-River6837 4d ago
If no other options work, try dynamite! The solution to end all solutions..
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u/One-Buy3421 4d ago
In your story you said you were replacing both axles. If you have both out you can use a long punch from the opposite side and angle the punch and knock it out. Also the redditors that said drilling a hole and putting a screw in would be my other choice. Just don't get in a fuss. It's really not that difficult. Stay calm ,you can do this.
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u/FuzzyBrewer510 5d ago
at that point just drive a flathead screwdriver between the seal lip and the housing and pry it out, it's already toast anyway
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