As part of servicing the front of the engine (new water pump, timing belt, tensioner, belts, seals), I'm going to attempt to replace the front engine seals for the first time on my '93 wagon.

How do I pull these seals out and re-install without scraping the shafts and how do I ensure no leaks when everything is put back together? Is it a hard thing to do? Right now, the car doesn't leak a drop. Approaching 200k miles this month. I want to do the job right. Any suggestions?

p.s. I've done the timing belt before on my '89, but never done the seals on that one either. So, I'm fairly experienced with the front engine job...just never pulled seals before and don't want to screw it up.

Thanks,
Cabbie

I appreciate your worry about scratching the shafts. I bought a seal puller tool and could not bring myself to use it. It looked dangerous.

Instead, I did this:
1. For the cam seal, I removed the cam cover and the front bearing cap on the camshaft. The bearing cap also holds the cam seal. With the cap off, you can remove and replace the seal with your fingers. Don't forget to oil the seal and avoid letting the seal lip fold under. VERY easy to do it this way.

2. For the crank and aux. shaft seals, I removed the front seal carrier and removed and replaced the seals on my workbench. To replace the carrier, I oiled the seals and carefully pushed the carrier back on. The crank seal meets the crankshaft first and then the aux. shaft seal goes on. It took me two tries to get it right but it wasn't hard to do. You may need a new paper gasket under the seal carrier, I didn't.

My '93 940 had a bit over 100k miles and the old seals were as hard as glass. They shattered when I drove them out of the carrier with a brass drift. There's no way I could have made the seal puller work!

Cabbie,

I replaced the front seals for the first time this summer with the help of one of my boys. Used a pvc pusher for the main seal and used old seals buffering the hammer taps on a socket for the cam and intermed seals.

Prob the best piece of advice I got was to order two sets of seals for each. Used 'em all too. There's lots of info in the archives so I'd recommend a search along with some reading before you start. Also, alot of BB'ers recommend Volvo seals vs aftermarket. I went with aftermarket - so far so good as I haven't noticed any leaks.

Good luck,

Marty
--
93,244 149k, 93 244 - 235K (back in action), 93 245 - 180K, 99 v-70 - 113K

I've done it carefully with a screwdriver to remove and various sized pieces of PVC pipe to gently press in the new seal.

Or, you can get a seal puller and seal driver kit at harbor freight for cheap.

-i got a seal puller from local parts joint for $8 - very necessary on crank seal
a set of picks was all i needed for the cam and intermediate seals
-i pulled the radiator, shroud, and upper engine bay cross-member to get a good view of things
-a set of giant 3/4" drive sockets from harbor freight worked well for re-installation (also work good for bushing replacement job), combined with the old seal as a pusher
-keep a good eye on things and clean it up when done
-look at seals before the old ones come out for an idea of how far to push in the new ones
-remember the order of washers and belt cover at camshaft
-take your time and it'll be a piece of cake
--
rich - '85 244DL with 302k