Good seal removal tool

[rabidsquirrel]

Who makes a decent quality seal removal tool? It's time to do the pinion seals on my Dana 44s, and in the past I've used whatever the auto part store sells, and those tools are straight up junk.

Recommendations?

 

[VolvoRyan]

I'm gonna watch this thread.

Volvo used Dana 30's (same pinion seal as the 44, IIRC) on the live axle cars, and those can be a bear. Typically, I bash with chisel to free the metal part of the seal from the housing. If you happen to make a hole in the seal, a tapered punch can be used to help lever the seal out. Sometimes they're easy, sometimes less so. Last one I did was a 35 year-old rust belt car. That fought me all the way.

-Ryan

 

[jubilee]

On Dana 44’s, I grease up a 1/8” bit, drill two or four holes in seal, then screw in two or four as large of screws as possible. Then pry or pull on screws.

 

[rlitman]

...in the past I've used whatever the auto part store sells, and those tools are straight up junk...

Yeah, they really are. The drill and screw trick is good. My favorite seal tool started its life as a worn out phillips screwdriver that I heated with a torch, hammered into a hook shape and finished on the grinder.

 

[bcschief]

How about something like this https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/SPH/SEAL-PULLER-WITH-HANDLE/

 

[Wrench97]

How about something like this https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/SPH/SEAL-PULLER-WITH-HANDLE/

I've had one of those in the bottom of my box since the late 70's, it's about useless, every 10 years or so I figure I'll give it try again with the same poor results it will take out the easy ones you don't really need a tool for or can use a ladys foot on but not the hard to get out ones.

 

[cannuck]

When I was on the bench, we would take a piece of flat bar, cut a hook on one corner and use a press to make it conform (axially) to the shaft. The barbed corner would be rolled under the seal and embedded in the hard part while just using the whole thing as a pry tool to pull the barb down the shaft.

 

[rlitman]

How about something like this https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/SPH/SEAL-PULLER-WITH-HANDLE/

I have the HF version that looks just like that, and the SnapOn that has a separate sharper tip. Never tried them on seals, but I use them for other odd jobs. Every seal I encounter seems to have access issues where one of those won't fit.

 

[WWheeler]

I just hammer the old pinion seal out going around it and bending the edge up with a flat head and/or a chisel like Grandpa showed me. Works every single time.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I use the snap on version of that tool all the time. It almost always is the best, quickest option.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have a Craftsman seal puller that is excellent. At least in my opinion. I got it before Sears closed. I’ll post a picture of it later if I get a chance.

 

[Steve_P]

Lisle makes one that is really trick and slips behind the seal.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPYW4K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have the typical Craftsman seal puller and it rarely works for me because the handle access is often blocked. It's great on 1970s front rotors though. Like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRCKG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[WWheeler]

I have the typical Craftsman seal puller and it rarely works for me because the handle access is often blocked. It's great on 1970s front rotors though. Like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRCKG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Apparently that type can be made to work for a pinion seal...



That shown, I'd still rather go at it by prying it out around the edge with a flathead & hammer just because that's what's worked for me for decades.

 

[shoeless]

Lisle makes one that is really trick and slips behind the seal.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPYW4K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have the typical Craftsman seal puller and it rarely works for me because the handle access is often blocked. It's great on 1970s front rotors though. Like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRCKG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Lisle makes another one that is just the head and can be used with a 3/8 breaker or ratchet so it can be indexed. You could also put an extension on it to offset it possibly. PN 56920.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MCVPVM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

 

[VolvoRyan]

Apparently that type can be made to work for a pinion seal...



That shown, I'd still rather go at it by prying it out around the edge with a flathead & hammer just because that's what's worked for me for decades.

Wow. Why won't mine fit my Dana 30's? I must revisit.

Anyone ever just try an air hammer?

Volvo had a special tool, seen in this 1970's service manual. Never seen one in the flesh.



-Ryan

 

[corn chip]

Wow. Why won't mine fit my Dana 30's? I must revisit.

Anyone ever just try an air hammer?

Volvo had a special tool, seen in this 1970's service manual. Never seen one in the flesh.



-Ryan

seal picks are a mickey mouse tool if you ask me. sometimes you have to really slam the handle. it makes a mess of the seal and risks gouging the seal bore. i get it , people dont want to spend more than $10 for a one time use tool.
a puller like in the photo is a good safe method. theres also hook attachments for slide hammers that work well and eliminate any chance of gouging the bore

 

[rabidsquirrel]

Thanks. Think my plan of attack will be the screwdriver method and the screw method.

 

[dnschmidt]

An old time dent puller which basically was a slide hammer with a sheet metal screw on the end of it works most time. These have more or less left the building with the advent of the stud welder in autobody but they are handy for other things.

 

[ronr80]

I have used this one for many years .

 

[Zewnten]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IHJZD8/?tag=atomicindus08-20 I use this, a prybar for easy to access ones or the slide hammer. But I also use a circle with 3 slits cut in it radially and a bolt throuh the middle to pull the seal off when they're really stuck but it won't work if a shaft is sticking past the seal.

 

[Fedwrench]

Not your usual seal puller but, an indexable pry bar has worked on occasion for me.

82208 8” Indexing Pry Bar - Gearwrench

Count on GEARWRENCH to get the job done. Get the 82208 8” Indexing Pry Bar here.

www.gearwrench.com

 

[corn chip]

this thread got me thinking i need a tool specific for removing seals as it can be used on a ton of different vehicles for a bunch of different applications so i picked one up

 

[richfinn]

I like to drill holes in the seal face, and use self tapping screws and the slide hammer, I've been doing this for 30 odd years.

Less risk of damage in my opinion

 

[Jeepster04]

Wow. Why won't mine fit my Dana 30's? I must revisit.

Anyone ever just try an air hammer?

Volvo had a special tool, seen in this 1970's service manual. Never seen one in the flesh.

-Ryan

I was able to pop one out on my dana30, no issues.


I've used the screw method when the seal is tight around the shaft and you cant get anything around it. I would like to order that toyota puller. Can only find 1 place that has it on the interwebs.

 

[VolvoRyan]

this thread got me thinking i need a tool specific for removing seals as it can be used on a ton of different vehicles for a bunch of different applications so

Oooohhhh.... that looks neat!

I was able to pop one out on my dana30, no issues.


I've used the screw method when the seal is tight around the shaft and you cant get anything around it. I would like to order that toyota puller. Can only find 1 place that has it on the interwebs.

I googled the first portion of the P/N, and got a bunch of hits ranging from OTC to various Toyota Service tool dealers. ~$100, which is pretty fair price for special tools.

https://toyota.service-solutions.com/en-US/Pages/ItemDetail.aspx?SKU=09308-10010

Though, on some of the Volvo Dana 30's, one is more likely to push the pinion into the diff rather than pull the seal out.

-Ryan

 

[corn chip]

i got it from toyota service website. 2day air shipping is only $12