Cam/crank seal removal tool?

Post by **scot850** » 02 Aug 2016, 20:00

I am about to tackle removing the cam and front crank seals for replacements. Naturally I don't have a shaft type seal puller. I have the regular hooked puller for the likes of the axle seals.

Calgary appears to be useless for any specialised tools, and even Snap-on don't have the fancy set they sell in the US. I watched Roberts video and I'm a little concerned with his drywall screw approach as like he says, I'm concerned about scoring the shaft or seal mating surface. Any other suggestions for doing this job safely and are simple to make?

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **kahl** » 02 Aug 2016, 22:51

Hi Neil, use the drill and screw approach as outlined by Robert. I was concerned the first time I used this removal technique. Drill the hole a put a screw in and turn slowly. Never had a problem.

Post by **mecheng** » 03 Aug 2016, 09:37

what about a pick?

Post by **scot850** » 03 Aug 2016, 10:57

Thanks for the reply guys. I have thought about a pick, and read about a guy that modified one for the job. My worry as always is marking a seat area as I did that once, but fortunately it was in a cover plate that could be replaced.

I have several jobs to still do, so last night ordered a Lisle tool for removing seals that gets great reviews and I will use I'm sure in the future. It is supposed to be here by Friday and cost about $25 US including 2 day shipping from Amazon.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lisle-Tools-584 ... 1546627004

This is not where I bought it from but a US supplier.

Neil.

Post by **rspi** » 03 Aug 2016, 20:43

Getting them out is a little bit of a pain, however, after everything is back together, and you start the engine, only to learn that the ID lip rolled and tossed the spring, and you now have a massive oil leak really sucks. Ask me how I know...

Recently learned that real mechanics have installation tools. More important than removal tools. So I met with a machinist and had a full set manufactured for 3 positions, crank (which they claim is the worst offender, about 50% of time), front cam and rear cam. The tools prevent the ID lip from rolling and also installs the seal to the proper depth.

I'm waiting for the front cam seal tools to arrive. They are aluminum and I will offer them for sale & loan/rent.

Post by **scot850** » 03 Aug 2016, 23:12

I would be interested in possibly buying the tools once you have the bugs sorted out. Meantime I will ask my local dealer foreman friend if he has the 2 tools I need to insert the seals and if I can borrow them over the weekend!

Thanks for the heads up and the warning. I have seen the insertion kits out there as well as the extractors. There is a kit from the UK on ebay that looked promising, but the timeline I am working to is too tight.

As always appreciate your help Robert (and I did watch your cam seal video, the one with the loose wire spring in the cam seal......), and all you other guys thanks too!

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 05 Aug 2016, 23:21

Thought I'd give an update on this. I purchased a Lisle shaft seal puller and tried if for the first time today on the intake front cam seal. Worked very well and I am suitably impressed for a relatively cheap tool. All you do is inset the shaped blade into the inner edge of the tool with the leg with the thumb wheel on it loose and turned 90 degrees, turn the blade 90 degrees along with the leg, tighten the leg so it is parallel to the extraction leg and using the silver leg as a prising tool it just popped the seal out easily and no fuss or damage.

: Lisle oil seal removal tool

: Lisle extraction tool

You can see the silver movable leg.

: End view

This is the part you push under the inner edge of the seal against the shaft/cam then rotate by 90 degrees so it becomes a hook.

Tool comes with a spare extra leg and can be set up for left or right operation.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Aug 2016, 06:17

The 30 minutes we spend trying carefully not to muck up the seal face easily pays fir the tool for a mechanic and probably even a DIY... Good candidate to add to a traveling cam lock kit for TB jobs

Post by **scot850** » 06 Aug 2016, 09:07

It is relatively cheap too. I paid more for fast shipping, but I've seen it with low or no shipping for under $20 US.

Neil.

Post by **rspi** » 06 Aug 2016, 10:17

I don't understand what the silver adjustment part of the tool is for???