Replacing the clutch. Fairly straightforward except for the top transmission bolts. I'm looking at this seal and it's not leaking, but there was quite a bit of grime/carbon buildup/clutch material behind the flywheel and was sitting on the seal and I wiped a lot of it off, some of it as you can see is still there. It's not leaking at all though. I want to change it and I have the new seal right next to me but I can't bring myself to try and remove the seal and risk scratching the crankshaft or block. I've also heard some seals embedding grooves in the crankshaft after years of being in there, a new seal will not seal due to this. 2009 G37s

 

The snap on truck (or Mac, or Marco, or whatever)
has specialized seal pullers for sale.
I've carved my own from nail pullers and such.
you can also poke a hole in the metal part of the seal, screw in a sheet metal screw and pull/pry on the screw. Vice grips or li'l slide hammer are sometimes necessary....
A new seal should seal better even against a worn groove. More rubber against it , right? Just be sure to grease the new seal before install.
I freeze seals in the fridge before driving them home.
sometimes heat the cases too. Physics man, physics.
​​​

 

with all of the trouble you just went through, i'd pull that seal in a heartbeat and replace it. Great pictures BTW, send us the before and after pictures of when this seal is replaced :-D

 

I replaced the seal, but did not take a picture, but I got it as flush to the block as I could. PRAYING it won’t leak for some reason.. but here’s the clutch =P

 

Great job! The seal is probably fine. I get the same way at times when working on the car. Always in the back of my mind

onward and upward!