oil seal replacement sleeve

[etecviper]

I have a 1999 Dri-doc tandem trailer. The front left wheel oil seal has gone bad. The sealing surface has become grooved. I was told that the metal area that is grooved can be removed and a new sleeve installed. I was told that they are sometimes removed by gripping with channel lock pliers or if unable to do that use a cold chisel to cut off. Has anyone experience doing this? I know from replacing a bad seal on opposite side that a quick sleeve can be installed over the original seal area(easy and quick to do). The quick sleeve is $35 to $40 compared to the replacement sleeve from trailer manufacturer for $3.00. Taking a chisel to the sleeve area scares me. If I knew this could be done I would rather use $3.00 replacement part. Anybody done this?

[DABS]

Grasp the spindle lightly just past the L-ring (shiny thing with grooves) with a pair of pliers. Now take a hammer and rap on the pliers to drive the L-ring off the spindle. Use an old inner bearing to drive the new one on. Put a little rtv sealant or aviation sealant on the area of the spindle where the new L-ring will come to rest. This will make a waterproof seal under the L-ring to insure no water intrusion in the bearing cavity.

[etecviper]

Will do as you said. I always have some fear of doing something I haven't done before. Thanks for your reply.