I just ripped my brand new seal trying to install it on the timing cover over the drive shaft. Anyone have trick to get this thing istalled without ripping it?

 

I found this trick on an Impala board.

Get yourself the Sharpie marker below(Super Twin Tip) . Squarely saw off the red(colored) end.....don't get into the gray. Use emery cloth to clean up the marker end a little. Lube up the seal, marker, and water pump shaft with oil. Assembly as below and slip on the seal carefully.

The marker diameter matches the seal surface really well and it's tapered so it does not screw up the seal. Be sure to keep pressure on the marker to keep it flush against the water pump shaft when slipping on the seal.

I tried the socket trick and was not happy because I could not get the seal started on the socket without risking ripping it.

 

Thanks alot I'll have to try that.

 

Yes this trick works well ~ I've done it a number of times ~ The best marker to use is one from the "Dry Erase" markers used on White Boards (like at work/school) ~ just pull the end out. The reason this is needed is to start the inside seal straight on the gear ~ if you do not have it centered, you will break the inside seal during install (been there ~ done that & you don't realize how much oil that little seal will leak even with the outer seal in place!

 

I'll post up some pictures later, but the Sharpie centers perfectly and tight....almost like it was made for the job.....I was very surprised, but I'm sure the proper dry erase will work too....

The bottom line is to make sure the end against the water pump shaft is matching diameters and that the marker tapers at some point to make the seal install easy. Be sure to lube with plenty of oil.

 

I just used a marker to strech the seal a bit and then used the water pump driver shaft to install it. Went right on.

 

yea the marker trick is the best (cheapest) way to go. before i learned the trick i ruined one also.

 

yea i must have ripped mine putting mine in and couldn't believe how much oil came out. About 100 miles on the car with the new seal and lost about a quart of oil..

 

wow im sure that just sucked! im sure it did. i would have been so pissed .

 

I love the Internet!!!

I trashed the first seal and 'Dude' at Advance Auto was kind enough to give me a free replacement so I wouldn't have to purchase the entire front cover seal set... in spite of the fact that I was honest about ruining it myself!

Was giving careful consideration to how much oil could possibly leak from that area. Glad I looked it up!

I have kids so all of the above markers are on the kitchen table right now. Hope they don't miss one!!!

 

A socket works well if you have the right size. That's what I used, but I can't recall the size. I want to say 15/16's, but that sounds awfully big. It will leak like a **** if the seal is bad.

 

Awesome!

I used a dry erase marker (the brown one, everyone knows the brown marker is the suckiest marker and will never be missed...) and I'm so cheap that I was actually able to pull the end out of it, and re-assemble it after I was done so I didn't even lose the cost of a marker!!!

But yeah I just used the marker to expand the seal, slid it over the drive shaft, then used a socket to tap/press the seal all the way in.

You guys rock. I'm putting a check in the mail to all of you right now.

 

OK OK I lied about sending the checks but I *thought* about it seriously!!!

 

I found a 7/16 or 1/2" deep socket in my toolbopx that works well.

A 15/16" probably works for driving it into the cover, must be what BTC was thinking.

 

That's probably correct. I couldn't recall what size deep well I oiled up and used to get the seal onto the shaft, but knew 15/16's sounded kind of big based on my memory of the size of the seal. I did also use a deep well socket to tap the seal into the cover.