Is it possible to replace the front crankshaft seal without removing the water pump?

i Am not replacing the water pump or the timing chain. im pretty sure i dont have to remove the timing chain cover. Ive read the diy on the pavementsucks.com but it goes through all the steps for the chain. i just need to replace the front crank seal.

im going in from the bottom. and im doing the oil pan gasket as well as the real crank seal, but trying to avoid emptying the coolant just to save time and money, ive done all that before not to long ago so i know that everything in that part of the engine in the front and top is good to go. any input it welcome. thanks.

 

I don't see a way around it. Timing cover needs to come off.

 

Yes it can be done without removing the Tchain cover, look at a seal removal tool or use a screwdriver to get the old seal out of the t chain cover.

The tool will look like this one. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

 

well, I'm an idiot! It seems like it'd be easier to get at the seal if the cover was off and less chance of scoring the shaft.

 

If you take your time it can be done without any damage to any part.

 

Of course if one is not real careful when removing the WP from the timing chain cover , you run the risk of damaging/tearing the timing cover to block gasket. Which will result in a coolant leak. And ultimately replacing it too.

 

Thats what i thinking. thanks Merc!

im not always the most careful, so hopefully i can be this time, but i have time on my side for once. and the weather is being awesome. Ill let you know how it goes

now if can just get this stupid harmonic balancer off i hate fighting with this thing! any tips for that? what is the best puller/tool yall have used?

 

Anytime there guy.

I use a snap-on HB puller but any HB puller will work fine, just make sure you use the end cap on the puller tool that goes into the crank, don't need to be messing up the threads in there.

I like to protect the crank in this fashion, hope you understand the pix.

 

my three jaw pull tool. is not working ive been fighintg with this off an on all day and cant it. everytime i think i almost ogt it to grab it slips off. super frustrating. i dont know what im doing wrong. ive tried in all sorts of different configurations. am i just an idiot or am i doing something wrong..

ive left the nut screwed in a few threads in the center. and i have the jaws on the inside of the pulley trying to pull the balancer off. everytime i get all three jaws snug to where it will stay in place and got to start tightening it as soon as i put the wrench to to it just falls.

maybe im not cussing at it enough or throwing it hard enough after this happens?

on a positive note i got the rear main seal done

 

Three jaw will not work on this year HB look at this one. Can you post a Pix of your HB need to make sure I am giving you the right info, HB changed in 99 I think and that one you can use a three jaw on it.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=555524_0_0_