Shifter Shaft Seal Replacement

[glcaines]

Is it possible to replace the seal on the shifter shaft without removing engine/transmission? It looks like it would be very tight but potentially possible. I have no problem pulling the engine and transmission, but if I do that I will surely be tempted to do other work, such as replacing other seals, new clutch, etc. which aren't really needed at this time. I would also be tempted to clean and paint the engine and engine compartment. Absolutely the only problem I have right now is a leaking shifter shaft seal.

[Horst]

I "think" it can be done but I personally have never tried it. But nothing stops you from trying and if for whatever reason you fail somewhere in the process, you can still pull the power pack...

[Hambone]

It can be DONE, but it's no FUN, plus, I did it on a lift. I would try the sheet metal screw trick first, I ended up digging the old one out. I usually drill a pilot hole for the screw.
https://www.google.com/search?q=removin ... -ggGo,st:0

[glcaines]

It can be DONE, but it's no FUN, plus, I did it on a lift. I would try the sheet metal screw trick first, I ended up digging the old one out. I usually drill a pilot hole for the screw.

I didn't think about replacing the seal without removing the shaft. I planned on removing the shaft, replacing the seal and then re-installing the shaft. I believe I will try to replace the seal without removing the shaft. If I can't do it that way, it will be Plan B. Thanks for the video.

[D Pizzoferrato]

Like Hambone said, I have done it on a lift. It was less than FUN. I couldn't imagine doing it on the ground.

[Mark]

When I did it, I put the mutt up on jack stands

[muttguru]

Hello GL,

if you go here

http://g838.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4588

then scroll down to the 2nd comment by George Ramselaar along with the comment by Frederik, you will see that it can be done BUT once you start, there's no going back................

Ken

[rickf]

Frederik, Man there is a name I have not heard on here in a while. I checked his profile and he was last on in 2020 but I think the last time he posted was around 2013.

[steveo]

It can be DONE, but it's no FUN, plus, I did it on a lift. I would try the sheet metal screw trick first, I ended up digging the old one out. I usually drill a pilot hole for the screw.
https://www.google.com/search?q=removin ... -ggGo,st:0

Thanks for postin that Hambone.
That screw trick looked like it worked pretty well in the video.

[glcaines]

I have the A2 up on jack stands, oil drained and shifter out of the way. I'll tackle removing the seal tomorrow. I don't think it will be a problem but I don't think there is room to use the screw method. I'm going to sharpen the tip of a small screwdriver and attack the seal.

[Mark]

That's how I did it.

[glcaines]

I've given up pulling the seal. I've basically destroyed the seal. I used a 1/4 inch steel chisel and cut a section of steel off of the seal and bent it out. I put vice grips on the piece of steel and pried against the vice grips with a crow bar. I could not budge the seal. I'm going to have to pull the power pack and remove the access plate on the side of the transfer case and get the shaft out of the way to remove the seal. I'm afraid I might damage the shaft or bore if I continue butchering the seal. This isn't all bad since after removing the power pack I can check the clutch at the same time, clean up the engine compartment and power pack and repaint everything. However, it is unfortunate that this project is growing since I'm already deep into replacing the wiring harness on my FLU419, the Pertronix ignition system on my 73 MGB has failed, and my 2008 Mercedes E320 Bluetech diesel is now making chain-rattling noises from the engine, and the batteries in my 2010 F250 failed yesterday. Oh, and one of the rear turn signal stalks on my M1030M1 USMC diesel motorcycle broke off due to brittle plastic and extensive vibrations from the diesel engine. When it rains, it pours!

[Horst]

You can remove the side cover with the power pack installed. This way you can remove also the c-clips holding the shifter fork in place. To remove the screw holding the spring and detent ball you might need to lift the power pack a little bit.
So you can still continue to try before pulling the pack.

[glcaines]

You can remove the side cover with the power pack installed. This way you can remove also the c-clips holding the shifter fork in place. To remove the screw holding the spring and detent ball you might need to lift the power pack a little bit.
So you can still continue to try before pulling the pack.

Thanks - I'll try that tomorrow. It didn't look like i had enough room so I had given up on that idea.

[steveo]

You got a lot on your plate…….,
And sounds like you have really done a lot to get that stuck seal ring out.
Just a thought…
Could the seal ring be fused from rust?

If it is possible that’s the problem, have you used a penetrating rust dissolver?
I have had freeze plugs stuck in the block pocket and nuts fused to bolts from rust. beatin a wrench with a hammer tryin to get it off because there was no where to even cut the darn bolt.
I used liquid wrench, with both of these problems and
it dissolved the corrosion and rust and the freeze plug flapped open and both nut and bolt with a little work came out. I have been told that there are other corrosion removal products out there that work even better but I have used LW since high school auto shop.
Might be worth a soak of it.