'51 Buick Super-Torque Ball seal install question

[Kestrel]

 

I'm trying to reassemble the torque tube ball assembly onto the U-joint shaft bushing and have a new lip oil seal pressed into the torque ball. It doesn't want to slide over the shaft with hand pressure and I'm afraid to force it, thereby risking damaging the seal's lip.

 

The shop manual says " Always use Installing Tool J2597 when installing torque ball to avoid damage to new seal." They show nice 

photos of the tool's ability to do this. 

The tool is a two part conical affair that expands the rubber seal evenly allowing the seal to then slide onto the shaft.

Do you guys know of any work-a-round to coax the new seal over the U-joint ? I've seen $$$ installation tools on-line for professional types, but none for shade tree mechanics like me.

 

Grease it up and push ? Hope for the best ?

 

Thanks all. !!!

 

 

[arcticbuicks]

new cv axle boot kits to go on same spline type shaft... come with what looks like a little condom to put on shaft ......to then slide rubber boot on shaft to go past spline part without tearing rubber boot..............possibly a party balloon.....or two would work ......and the some oil

[Kestrel]

Thanks Arctic.  I'll give it a shot if nothing else comes along. Maybe since the original seals were leather and less resilient than rubber or neoprene, they required a more delicate procedure during installation. Just a guess...