Metal O-Ring appeared on alignment tool

[further]

Hi all,
Long time…. 2004 5.0 GXI SX-M. Getting it ready for the season and doing alignment check. When I pulled out the bar, I noticed a metal O-ring on the bar. Any insight on what this is from? I replace the gimbal bearing a few years ago…

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,........ That is the tension spring from the gimbel bearing seal,.....

 

[alldodge]

That's the inner spine on a lip type seal. Probably from the grease seal behind the gimbal bearing

Edit Bondo was quicker

 

[dypcdiver]

I believe they call it a garter spring on the oil seal.

 

[Scott Danforth]

thats a pull the gimbal bearing thing now. once the garter springs come off, you cant get them to stay on.

 

[further]

Thanks all. Got the gimbal bearing out and will replace. Having a bit of trouble pulling the seal. Any tips? Tried a 3 point seal puller but can’t get a good grip with the one I have.

 

[alldodge]

The seal can be bent up to get it out. Others may have a better idea, but take a long screw drive and smack it

 

[Bondo]

The seal can be bent up to get it out. Others may have a better idea, but take a long screw drive and smack it

Ayuh,...... Does that seal load from the motor side of the housing,..??..??

 

[alldodge]

Ayuh,...... Does that seal load from the motor side of the housing,..??..??

The ones I've worked on have been housing
Manual says to remove with a slide hammer, but sometimes they get frozen

 

[one7dchevy1]

Just went through this myself a few weeks ago. I think I still had the original seal on my 99. That sucker was bonded to the housing. Took me ~12 hours of work to get it out trying just about every puller I could find.

No slide hammer style puller worked for me, I ended up getting it out with this, after cutting off one hook... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRCKG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

If yours is really stuck in there I would soak it in wd-40 every few hours, that seemed to help break the bond some.

 

[further]

Yup mine is completely frozen… I’ve also now tried every slide hammer puller. Working with an adjustable seal puller seems to be the best tool to grab it. Everything else just slips off. I’ve tried a heat gun… now I’m using Kroil and will try every couple hours. Hopefully it’ll break loose at some point. Want to avoid using a screwdriver between the seal and the housing for fear of messing up the housing then having an issue with sealing.

 

[alldodge]

I use a screw driver to split the upper portion of seal rim. Then something like vice grips to twist and tear

 

[further]

Got it out finally!!! I think soaking it with Kroil oil for couple hours, using the seal removal tool with a pipe for leverage moved it enough for the 3 jaw puller to grab some meat. Thanks for the tips guys!!