Makeshift axle seal driver

[Stu Cool]

Hey guys, I am changing the axle seals on an 8" Ford rear end. Got the old seal out just fine, now trying to get the new seal into the housing. I don't have a seal driver. Anyone have any good old shade tree methods for doing this? I already tried putting it in the freezer for an hour, that did not work. Tapping slowly around the edges didn't work either. I need something similar diameter to the seal. The seal is 2.25 in diameter.

Thanks in advance

Pat

[TooMany2count]

a small piece of 2x4, a piece of exhaust pipe (a tad smaller then the outter part of the seal) && a hammer. I'm sure you know what to do next....joe

[John Palmer]

Check out your local "big box" Home Improvement Center. Go to the PVC pipe department and start checking for sizes. You will find a wide range of sizes in the "pipe connector / union" area. PVC connectors are strong enough for many "one time" jobs.

One time I made a sample model out of PVC for a special use race engine breather tank. I took it to Moon Equipment for fabrication and they had a good laugh, but they built it exactly like my sample. They now offer the same tank "as a production" breather tank.

[TooMany2count]

that's a good idea John, plus it's thicker....joe

[Stu Cool]

I checked in the garage on my way to work and I have 2" to 1 1/2" iron pipe reducer and a piece of 1 1/2 inch pipe. The wide end of the reducer is just smaller than the seal. I will apply that this evening, it should work just fine. Thanks for the memory triggers guys.

Pat