Pinion Seal Replacement

Hey Guys,

1966 MKIII Sprite.

I have the rear end carrier out of the housing, intending to change the gasket while I'm redoing the wheel cylinders, axle seals etc.

My question is about changing the pinion seal. Now that I get a good look at the carrier, the pinion seal might be leaking too although the gasket was rock hard and came out in oil-soaked pieces. I've never done that job before. Anything tricky? Certainly just changing the seal won't affect gear lash or anything.

I'd hate to be here and a month from how wish I had changed the pinion seal while there.

I'm new to this forum. How do I search for previous threads on this subject?

TIA,

Donald

Yes, that job requires more than just undoing a nut and popping in a new seal. Try "advance search" top right on the page. Need anything more and the group will oblige!:smile-new:

Welcome!

As nomad says, try the search up in the top right corner and see what comes up. Don't be afraid to ask questions even if they may have been asked before. We won't bite. :grin:

I did the pinion seal in my Morris Minor (same carrier as a Sprite) last year. It's not a hard job, but I did have to make one tool. Took some angle iron and modified it so that it would bolt to two of the holes on the pinion (where the drive shaft bolts to). Angle iron was a couple feet long. This held things in place so I could loosen the nut -- without this "tool" in place it just spun. I wound up reinstalling the carrier, bolting on my brace, and loosening the bolt while it was all on the car. Once loose it was easy enough to get it all apart and put in a new seal.

Others will likely chime in with tips and things to watch out for.