98 GSXL circlip on carbon seal stuck

[Brprxt215]

I’m trying to get the carbon seal apart on this gsxL I just picked up. The pump is still bolted on but the shaft is still sliding backwards when I pry back on the “top hat” that the circlip is under. Any tips or tricks to get the top hat to slide backwards far enough to pop the circlip?

 

[jimmyluke]

Get a 1 1/4 inch open end wrench to slip over the top hat then get a bolt approximately 4 inches long put it between your wrench and the PTO on the engine to use as a fulcrum then push on The top of your wrench to get the leverage advantage and it slides right back exposing your clip. A while back someone was having issues and I did a real quick video on how to do it but unfortunately I cannot figure out how to put a video on the forum here.

 

[jimmyluke]

Make sure to put a rag under the driveshaft to catch the clip when it pops off- it’s better than searching for it under the engine lol

 

[Matt Braley]

Scrap piece of 2X4 and a hammer. Spray lube first.

 

[MoDawg73]

I had the same thing going on today. I put a piece of 2x2 perpendicular to the driveshaft underneath the driveshaft and up against the motor mounts. Then I drilled a big hole in a 2x4 (about 1 1/4”) and ripped it in half, along the diameter of the hole. This gave me two halves with a semicircle cut out of it. I had my daughter pull the driveshaft back, and I wedged the two pieces between the metal piece and the 2x2. Then I had my helper rap a piece of wood up against the driveshaft with a hammer. It took a few whacks, but it finally started moving. I was able to get the circlip out.