Hey guys. I just bought my first C3, a 1979 4-speed. I set
out to replace the transmission output shaft seal and have run into a hiccup. I
have the old seal removed and all the fluid drained, but no matter what I try I
can’t get the new seal to seat. I don’t have a lift and I’d like to avoid
taking out the transmission if I can, but since the shaft is sticking out I can’t
hit the entire seal at the same time. As you might guess, this is my first time doing this procedure on any car.
I made up a block of wood with a hole in the middle sandwiched
between two pieces of metal, and hit it with a 3lb mallet, but I can’t get
enough momentum on the garage floor to smack the seal hard enough to seat it. I
can’t walk it in by tapping the perimeter, because as I tap the opposite side pops
out. The only race press hand tools I can find are flat and won't work because of the output shaft.
The only forum posts I can find about replacing an ST10 (or
any) output shaft seal just say “and then put the new seal in”. I’ve also read where
people say removing the transmission is not required. I feel like this is supposed
to be done with a machine press. That, or installing this seal is knowledge known by mechanics
and not the internet. Any help is appreciated!
StingrayJim
NCM Lifetime Member #1936
Stingray's '76���������������������������� StingrayJr's '78���������������������������Lil Red '94
(click each one to see a bigger version)
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I damaged the first seal. Good thing these are only $7!
I bought a driver set from Harbor Freight when O’Reilly didn’t have any, but they’re flat unlike the one in that image. I also tried using a 2” long piece of exhaust coupling equal to the width of the inner surface of the seal, but to no avail.
My transmission crossmember is fixed, so at best moving the transmission around might get me 1-2 extra inches to work with. I'm not in a position to create a removable crossmember.
I'm just not seeing a way to get enough of a swing to seat the seal. There's too much in the way, the garage floor included.