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2. Can't yet remove the oil seal so if you have a trick let me know -...
my tried and true trick is to take a punch or drift or even a screwdriver or chisel and *dent* the seal's flat outward facing surface in one or more spots. this effectively pulls the sealing surface away from the hub and it is an easy matter of prying it out with a screwdriver.

it goes without saying (except i'm going to say it), *always* be careful that you do *not* scratch or otherwise screwup the hub's sealing surface in your endeavors to remove the seal.
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...a steel band O-Ring slipped out from underneath it; it was between the oil seal and the inner bearing/race. ...Perhaps it was part of the seal? The new seals I have do not have this.


it is part of the seal. it's a spring to help keep the lip of the seal firmly against the axle sealing surface. your new seals should also have them, just look 'inside' between the two lips. it's a good practice to fill that space with grease to help make sure that spring stays in place on installation.

//bc

1992 sohc trooper 3.2l v6 automatic . . . as is

i love a good intermittent electrical challenge. . .especially when it's someone else's.