FrontCrankshaft Seal (pulley side)

[renos]

The front crankshaft seal of my 986 S has been leaking for some time now. It is a small leak and because oil drips on the plastic undertay and is retained there, it is not a nuisance.

However, I am thinking of changing it at the same time as the belt. It can be done with the engine installed.

Any suggestions and tips would be appreciated. The Porsche workshop manual mentions a Porsche special tool. Is it absolutely necessary? Is the job very difficult without it?

Thanks!

[0586slb]

The 'special' tools for doing an oil seal, are a device that first screws on to the pully bolt hole then another larger piece screws into the oil seal and pulls it out squarely. The age old method of srewing a self tapping screw in and pulling with pliers seems to work for most. Getting the new seal in is where the other part of the special tool comes to its own. Its unbelieveably simple to position the new seal perfectly square and to the correct depth with it. Without, you need enough space to drive it as squarely as possible with a socket or something. In either case, be sure to be very gentle when popping the lip of the seal over the end of the shaft and keep things very clean.