When handled gently during installation the seal spring doesn't usually fly out of its place. Pack some grease within the spring area if you're concerned about this. A little grease won't cause any harm if it mixes with engine oil later.

I usually finger-pressed those seals into their place after lubricating it with thin engine oil. The seal material was meant to be compatible with engine oil so that should be ok. Pressing-in the cam and balance shaft seals should be easy but the crankshaft seal needs much more effort. Still manageable.

Amarin.

Dear Griff951,

Hope you're well. While there were (and may still be) Volvo seal-seating tools, I doubt those can still be had from a Volvo dealer. Even if those tools are available, substitutes - e.g., PVC pipe, cut to length and with the edges slightly radiused (use sandpaper) - will work.

Use fine steel wool and solvent (e.g., methyl ethyl ketone, highly-flammable and carcinogenic) to remove any brown or black deposits from the area, across which the seals must be slid and atop which the seals will sit, when fully seated.

Run your fingertip over the cleaned area, to be sure there are no micro-burrs in the metal. If you find any "sharp" areas, use ultra-fine (400 grit or higher) to smooth those areas. A few passes should suffice to level any micro-burr.

Wet the seals' inner edge and the shaft with clean motor oil. Being generous with this oil does no harm.

Using a PVC "seal-seater" gently tap the lubricated seal to move it along the shaft. Go slowly: when removing a seal set too deep, it is easy to ruin the seal.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook