Oil slinger lock ring will not seat above seal

[Cprems]

Good evening guys,

I'm changing out the seals in my 231J transfer case and Can't get the locking washer onto the shaft and seat it above the new seal. I can seat it below the seal but cannot seat it above. I have tried and ruined one seal already. According to the MOPAR diagram and the videos I have seen, This should fit without any issues. I have not torn into the actual case, just changing seals.

There is approx 1/4 inch play front to back of the case on the shaft. When the lock ring is fitted into the seat this "slop" goes away. I'm using Crown seals and got the seal kit from Xtreme Terrain. There is no physical way that the lock ring can fit over the seal as there isn't enough play in the shaft to accommodate the snap ring. The seal appeared to be seated all the way down into the seal seat. Does it need to go further down?

I have a local NAPA seal to pick up tomorrow and have overnighted one from Xtreme as well. I don't want to keep damaging seals. Hopefully someone has had this issue and can help me out.

Any suggestions? Do I just put it back together as it was? The snap ring was under the seal when I originally removed it. This is frustrating me beyond belief.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Cprems]

This isn't going back together according to the MOPAR diagram. REally need some input here guys.

 

[Cprems]

I'm putting it back together as it came apart. Several videos have shown that the MOPAR. diagram is incorrect. The lock washer cannot physically go on after the seal is put in. It will not fit in the groove as the seal is covering it. Hopefully this helps someone whose trying to replace their oil seals.