what is the secret to remove old oil seal (front)on 99 xk8 ? been messing with this all day. ready to spank the kitty (growl) lol

 

On the crank or the camshafts (solenoids)?

 

crankshaft behind damper

 

It is probably a lot easier if your remove the timing cover first....this would also give you a chance to inspect the primary tensioners and chain guides and upgrade them as needed.

 

You should be able to squeeze a standard seal puller just take your time and be careful not to nick the crankshaft, that you leave you with a potential leak.
Good luck.

 

that is a sweet tool. I was able to carefully pry out the old one, now am putting in new one. I know the depth to re install new one just want to equally insert it in place. There is not alot of room as the engine is in car, did remove fan and radiator. any good ideas to seat it in properly?

 

have installed oil seal in crank. just taking time and tapping equally around seal until seated properly. next is the damper. the illustrated blow up on the original thread, does not show collett inside damper, if you had the parts in your hand, and never saw how it came off, you might put it on backwards! based on the cone of the crank, and the cone of the damper(they are opposite), it would be easy to do. luckily for me, I took it all off and will replace everything hoping I can get enough torque on damper to hold her tight
wish me luck

 

Typically you use a seal driver to seat one properly.
You can also use a socket that is a little larger than the seal itself and use a hammer to tap it.

What you did is just fine, although I do suggest using some sort of plate or ring so that you are not directly hitting the seal with a hammer.
So long as you look carefully and you don't see any marks from the hammer then you should be ok.

Next time use a mallet instead if you don't have anything to place on the seal to drive it in.

To hold the damper, do not use the flywheel! You run the risk of bending it.

Try to wedge a pry bar in the spokes of the damper while you torque, a helper would be nice for this part.

I read that post about your bolt having come off and this is very worrying....
Use some locktite this time around.