Can the power steering pumps front seal be replaced without removing the shaft?

[MarkIII4Me]

The TSRM shows the seal being removed when the shaft is out. I'm attempting to replace the seal while the pump is still mounted. I removed the pulley, shaft key and snap ring but I can't get the seal out. I made a real mess trying to get around it with different picks and small screw drivers.

Can the seal be removed from this point or do I have to remove the pump and disassemble the entire thing?

 

[IJ.]

Never done it myself but if the Bore diameter is seal sized without a lip I can't see why not using a seal tool.

 

[Poodles]

It looks thicker than a normal oil seal, so it might have to come completely apart to pull it off. Do you have the new seal to take pics of?

 

[MarkIII4Me]

Never done it myself but if the Bore diameter is seal sized without a lip I can't see why not using a seal tool.

Definitely not enough room for a tool that big. I have mayber 4"-5" from the seal to the Efans.

It looks thicker than a normal oil seal, so it might have to come completely apart to pull it off. Do you have the new seal to take pics of?

Don't have the new seal in front of me, but looks like a miniature rear main seal with the inner spring.

 

[hvyman]

IF it indeed can come out without the whole pump being taken apart you could try hitting couple parts of the outer edge in a little to maybe loosen it up a tad.

 

[MarkIII4Me]

The TSRM shows that the seal pops out the front of the pump with a flathead screw driver placed where the shaft would have been. I can't seem to get around the seal to pull it out. The rubber is just breaking apart. I'm afraid of prying any tool directly against the shaft (for leverage) as I fear it may gouge its surface.

 

[IJ.]

Pull the pump and do it on the bench?

 

[hvyman]

And/or put a rag around the pry device.

 

[jetjock]

Never done this one but on stubborn lip seals I drill a couple of small holes in the housing opposite each other, screw in self tappers, and pull the thing out.

 

[MarkIII4Me]

^
Thanks Jet, that worked great! The seal popped right out. Unfortunately upon installation I damaged some of the shaft's threads while tapping the new seal in with a socket. The space was so tight that a deep socket wouldn't fit and I didn't realize the standard socket was making contact until the damage was done. No biggie tho. Took a die to it and straightened the threads. Bolt screwed on just fine. I'm back in business baby! Thanks.

 

[jetjock]

Ah well, live and learn. At least you got it changed.

 

[MarkIII4Me]

Thread resurrection.
For some reason, I'm leaking fluid from the front seal again after maybe 500 miles since it's been replaced. Does this mean the shaft is gouged somewhere? Time for a new pump? Can there be something else wrong with the system causing excess pressure buildup and the front seal is the weakest point and is therefore leaking?

 

[3p141592654]

Might have worn a groove where the seal lip contacts the shaft. May be time for a rebuilt one.

 

[supraguy@aol]

Might have worn a groove where the seal lip contacts the shaft. May be time for a rebuilt one.

This.
OR, you can attempt to grind down the base metal of the new seal, so that it sits maybe a half millimeter in deeper, thus sealing against an unworn section of the shaft. Not easy to do, without screwing up the seal's mating surface.

 

[3p141592654]

Looking at the photo, you might be able to put a washer behind the seal and push the seal forward to a clean spot.

 

[super51fan]

Maybe instead of grinding down housing. It looks like the seal sets down from the top of the bore it goes into. Maybe do a new seal and install it flush with the top of the bore. Most things that toyota uses a lip seal seem the be flush with the top of whatever they are sealing. But if my eyes are lying to me then what the supraguy said. Or look at an aftermarket seal. Sometimes they are thicker or thinner. That would also move where the seal rides on the shaft. BTW I am assuming that you lubed the seal lip that rides on the shaft before the install. Good luck.