I realize this is a long shot, but I have to say the percentage of
mechanic geniouses on this site is very high, so here goes -

1987 CRX (Honda) Si. I am trying to get the right side (passenger)
seal on. This is the outer seal, that goes between the differential
housing and the CV axel, on. I just can not get it on. The seal
is metal but rubber coated. It is the exact diameter of this little
lip that I think it is supposed to pop over.

I have tried the socket method, the lawnmower oil filter wrench
and hammer method, and finally the 2 x 4 and sledge method.
I've tried the gentle tap method, the pry it in and at the same time
around method.

There has to be a trick. I just do not get it.

Even a guess is better than what I have going on now, I'm out of ideas.

 

Of course watch it be the aftermarket seals. I have ordered one from Honda, it won't be here until Thursday.

 

Post pictures. I am not familiar with that car but have done similar repairs in the past. Seeing what you are facing I or others might be able to make suggestions if we can see what you are trying to do.

 

I will get some photos tomorrow.

 

The 87 'Rex would be a 1st-generation one. The folks on http://www.redpepperracing.com know an awful awful awful lot about those cars!!

I don't have any concrete advice for you, though; you've tried the methods that I would have used! I assume the axle is out of the diff?

 

I should have waited another day. (thanks for the redpepper site I am a member)

Continued investigation revealed a photo of the transmission found more or less by accident. Before all I had was diagrams like in the official service manual, and never a shot of the part I needed, just disassembled.

Anyway, the part that both rockauto and advance auto give as the seal is 75 mm OD. This makes it look like it fits outside this lip.
However, the official honda part which I can still get is 68 mm. It goes inside the lip.

I sense things like this will be a problem in the future but I must press on.