removal

[les]

Anyone able to suggest a way to remove the oil seal cap from the tailend of the gearbox, special tool 18g 389 & 389a are used, but unlikely to find these! I'm sure it basically pulls off, but it's tight and not too easy to get at in situ. Thanks.

[rayofleamington]

Yes - basically it pulls off.
I usually remove the crimped parts with an angle grinder, then lift up the burred edges with small bladed screwdriver.
Then use hammer and screwdriver (probably a wood chisel if I can find one) to tap it off evenly. Try not to get it cocked over part way off as it'll get tight.

[les]

Thanks Ray, I didn't realise it was crimped.

[rayofleamington]

Thanks Ray, I didn't realise it was crimped.

The original would have had 3 (i think) crimps on the inboard end of the steel housing. The cripmed end sits over a groove so the crimps stop it coming off, however they are unlikely to come off anyway so if it's a replacement then it may not have been crimped.

(also I'm not sure if 'crimp' is the correct word but it is probably good enough to explain what is meant)