I'm trying to pull a stubborn rear main seal on an old Saab 900. There is about 6 inches of space between the seal and the trans, so I can't fit the typical hooked, t-shaped puller in there. In the past, I haven't had troubles getting them out, but this particular seal has a step to it that I haven't encountered and is causing me grief, whereas past seals weren't stepped:
I tried bending a couple paint can openers (per a random forum; didn't work), and I'm about to drill holes for sheet metal screws (also per a forum).
Q: Really, drill into the seal? What about, you know, the engine internals and metal shavings?
Drill it. Don't go past the seal.
Flat screwdriver with a 30 degree bend (a bit more or less depending on the length of teh screwdriver you start with) in it about 3/8"-1/2" back from the tip (use a vice and a hammer and maybe some heat) Sharpen the screwdriver a bit. Then use it like a mini pry bar. If needed hammer it in to the seal and then pry against the end of the crank.
Drilled it and got it out, now get to do it again: I've done this job perhaps a dozen times, but have berkeleyed up two new seals in a row now: the seal lip, slathered in assembly lube, is partially curling under the crank, for some reason.
