Technical Rear axle seal removal

I have to change the seal on my rear axle ('64 Ford ute). The seal stays in the housing after the axle is removed, so the sealed bearing stays on the axle. The seal is in the axle housing fairly deep (around 2") so unless I can get behind it, it's difficult to lever it out from the front. I could make a tool (maybe out of Brass so I don't score the inner surface) but there must be an old trick for this type. I could drill a small hole and insert a screw and lever it out, but the face is very thin (about 3/16").

 

slide hammer with a hook on it

 

I use something like this... https://go.harborfreight.com/sku/68339/
Pops 'em right out....

 

Last one I did, I used one of these on my slide hammer.

 

Just hook it with the last 2'' of the axle shaft & pop it out.

 

^^^^^ works every time.

 

I bought this. https://www.harborfreight.com/9-way-5-lb-slide-hammer-and-puller-set-56505.html

 

It sounds like America"s 9 inch Ford seal.I take a chisel,and strike the seal in two places opposite each other.The seal warps,and becomes loose in the bore.Easy from there,

 

I made my own gizmo out of scrap.
Works well...
Probably should post it in the Homemade Tools thread.

 

This works, quick and easy most of the time.

If you don't like that idea, or for some reason it won't work for you, a slide hammer with a hook of some sort will get the job done.

 

I bought a double hook with a 15” handle. Packaged for removing seals. I’d show a photo but it’s at my sons.