Valve Stem Seals Won't Come Out - Edit: they came out

[RustyTank]

Hello all. I'm workin on my 1979 GS850G engine right now, doing a top end rebuild. There are two valve stem seals that will not come out. I'm using a valve stem seal removal tool that worked fine for all the other ones, but as I stated, these last two will not budge. Admittedly the removal tool is pretty cheap, spent about $17 on it. I'm wondering a couple things,

1. is there something I'm doing wrong? I'm trying to grip the seals with the tool and then I'm pulling, but the tool doesn't seem to grip these seals well at all, slips off when I pull.

2. Maybe the tool is the problem. Is there a specific tool that you guys use that seems to work super well?

[GregT]

The metal cased seals occasionally become very stubborn. If I strike one that won't come off any other way, I split the thin steel outer shell with a small screwdriver ground to a sharp chisel edge.

Just sit it on the shoulder of the seal case and tap with a small hammer. Once the shell is split it will lift off easily.

[RustyTank]

The metal cased seals occasionally become very stubborn. If I strike one that won't come off any other way, I split the thin steel outer shell with a small screwdriver ground to a sharp chisel edge.

Just sit it on the shoulder of the seal case and tap with a small hammer. Once the shell is split it will lift off easily.

Thanks Greg. I used your method and it worked well with one of the remaining two stem seals. The other one though, holy moly! I really had to tear the ever lovin sh** out of it to get it out of there
In any event, they're all out now.

[chuck hahn]

Propane torch or heat gun to soften the rubber. Doesnt take much

[RustyTank]

Propane torch or heat gun to soften the rubber. Doesnt take much

Ah! A heat gun! I didn't think of that. Well, now I know for next time. Thanks Chuck

[Steve]

Be careful with any impact around the seals and guides. It doesn't take much to snap a guide.

.

[RustyTank]

Be careful with any impact around the seals and guides. It doesn't take much to snap a guide.

Yeah Steve, thank you. I was also concerned about that. Seems to have worked though. Couple of very, very small nicks at the top of the guide. I'm not sure if I did that or not.