Followup TO 35 rear axle seal installation

[RedGreenGuy]

Attempting rear axle seal installation with seal installed in axle housing. Have smeared greased on axle.
Seal will not expand, just tears. What tears is on outer part of seal and appears to be (color of) raw hide or card board. Tried ordering from 2 other sources. Not available. Do any of you have as special process to install these seals?
 

[miner09]

Are you removing outer or inter seal? Do you have axle housing off or just wheel and brake assembly? Retainer is heat shrink.
 

[Tony in Mass.]

It is most likely leather. And now it is shot. And while you are in there, most leaks in that area are the lower link pin loosening up. So if there is a castle nut, pull out the cotter pin, and try another notch. Or, pull the link out, clean it, a tiny smear of silicon and then put it back till the pin is tight.
This is what I always call 'a 3 day job for a 3 dollar part'.....
 

[RedGreenGuy]

All brake drums, back plates and any brake parts are removed. Outer seal is the problem. It fits into housing that hold outer bearing.
 

[miner09]

You can pry the seal out. Pry bar etc and if it comes out in pieces no problem. Just be careful replace new seal. I use a socket size of seal to drive in if you don't have seal driver.If old seal comes out in one piece I have used it to drive in new seal. Lip of seal goes toward oil-to the inside.I put oil on edge of seal so it will go in easier.
 

[RedGreenGuy]

I purchased the entire rearend with axles to replace a cracked case on my tractor. Axles and spider gears were removed when I got it, but included with the purchase. Am putting all new bearings and seals in as I reassemble.
 

[RedGreenGuy]

Talked with a YTer yesterday. He thinks the seals I received were for a TO 20 which is a smaller axle.
Have reordered new seals, hopefully they fit.