Any advice on Removing a stubborn inner bearing seal.

[Reno Speedster]

I am doing a tuneup on my brakes and outer axle bearings and seals but one of my inner seals won’t budge. The other one came out with a pair of mechanic’s magnets (the ones on long rods). I tried using a long mechanic’s pick but there is nowhere to get the pick in and I don’t want to scratch the axle.

Any advice on how to get it out? I was thinking of drilling and tapping a couple of holes and pulling it out, but that would make a mess that would hard to clean up.

[speedytinc]

I have had success with a long general scribe. the 90 degree end can be worked in between the axle & seal washer.

Your idea of drilling 2 opposed holes & using long sheet metal screws was a similar method recommended for removing transmission seals on old harleys.
Cleaning the chips from a steel washer drilling is easy with a magnet.

[Steve Jelf]

I use a piece of ³⁄₃₂" welding rod. Bend one end 90º for a handle 4 or 5 inches long. Bend a small hook at the other end. About ¼" is plenty long for the hook. Then grind the hook end flat enough to fit between the axle shaft and the seal. I keep this in my box of specialized rear axle tools.

[Craig Leach]

Maybe take John & Steve's ideas X 2 180 degrees apart just to be safe?
Craig.

[Reno Speedster]

Thanks. I dimpled it slightly with a punch in 4 places and it came out. The only thing I can think of is that it was stuck with dried grease.