Shift Shaft help

Mako21 said
Yep, tried a couple more hours yesterday. I’m definitely getting a good bite and full thread on the seal, but as I screw the bolt to lift the seal assembly, it just strips chords or rubber gasket with it from the old seal. I even tried just the tool and with a vice grip lifting straight up along the shaft to pop it but no luck.

I just purchased a hook and pick set at Home Depot. It’ll have to wait till Monday though...back to work today.

Where do people leverage the seal with a screw driver? At the outer flange metal of the seal where meets the transmission metal? My understanding is to avoid picking at the inner rubber area where the seal meets the valve body shaft. Is this correct?

The problem with using a screwdriver between the seal and shaft is the risk of scratching the shaft to the point it causes a leak for a different reason.
FYI, I use a drywall screw to puncture the outer rim of the seal.
Then screw the screw in a turn or so and clamp visegrips on the screw shaft.
Once thats done pry between the case and the visegrip jaws.
Drywall screws are really sharp pointed and hardened, so they punch a hole easily.
A 2 inch screw is about perfect for reaching with a hammer to punch the hole as well as pulling on to lift the seal.
It may help a lot and be worth lowering the trans cross member.