Crazy question for you long time mechanics

[Mahindra45302011]

I posted a couple weeks ago that I ran over a stob with my Mahindra 4530 and it managed to hit the front axle oil/dust shield where the 4WD shaft goes in to the front axle assembly and all the gear oil had leaked out about a week later when I got to the farm.

As you can see from the attached picture, the seal isn't cut or mangled, it is just pressed in at the bottom just under the shaft.

I am do it yourselfer and can fix most things but have never tried to replace a seal like this in a tight space. I got the replacement seal but really am afraid to try to get the old one off and the new one on. Do you think it would be possible for me to drive a small screw with a rubber washer in to the old seal in the middle of that bottom part of the seal and see if I can pull that part back out enough to stop the leak? Kindof like pulling a dent out of a car?

I would put some type of sealant on the screw as I screwed it in so if I was able to straighten the seal out it would have some sealer around the screw and the rubber washer.

Am I crazy? any chance this would work and save me from having to remove and replace the seal?

Thanks.

 

[Eagle1]

I often remove oil seals by driving a screw in and pulling out. Since you have new seal in hand you can try a small pick around the edges to pull it back but I expect the spring and metal in the seal have been bent and it will never seal well. I know I've messed up my share of seal by not seating them square on the first try. If there is enough space you may be able to add a second seal over the damaged one. I have a Kawasaki motor where that is almost standard because it tends wear the seals. Just means you have two remove when it's time again and they are in a real tight space.

Then again why not try, if it does not work you are no worse off and replace the seal

 

[LouNY]

You can try it, nothing to loss. You will likely need to replace the seal.

 

[Williy]

Give it a shot! The worst thing that can
happen is you have to replace it
I would silicon the screw hole

willy

 

[true temper]

Wast of time, suck it up and install new seal piece of cake.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Too many parts in there that cost boo coo yen. I wouldn't risk that because of a seal. Needs a belly pan if you are not in the garden or on clean ground. Belly pan was first thing here.