I'm working on bearings, brakes, etc, but I'm having trouble getting the inner bearing seal off. Any suggestions? I've torn the rubber part & bent the metal part of the inner seal. I need to get it out. Screwdriver didn't work, a painter's tool didn't work, 90 degree pliers didn't work - any other ideas.

I've found a lot of rust and mud everywhere. Any suggestions on the best way to clean everything (I'm trying to use a brass brush on some things [dust shield and inner seal that is bolted to the dust shield], but even that is not progressing well). I had to use a tie-rod separater to pry the wheel hub from the rotor.

To put the ball-joint spacers in, do I need to disconnect the tie rods &/or the lower ball joints (take the spindle off completely off)? I'm wondering if there is a way I could just turn the spindle to get enough room.