Mode Selector Shaft Seal replacement

I am getting ready to order parts and do some work on my tranny. I have a hard shift problem as well as a leaky selector shaft seal. I was going to buy a solenoid kit and replace them, but after reading some threads, it may just be my selector switch acting up, so I figure I'll take it out and clean it first before I spend money on the solenoids, pan gaskets, filter, fluid.. And since I have a small leak at the selector shaft seal, I have to take it off anyway. Here are my questions/concerns:

1. In this thread there is talk of needing a special tool to replace the selector shaft seal. Is this tool absolutely necessary? Or can the job be done without it? http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...elector&page=4

2. When I open up the selector switch, I know it needs to be cleaned out and greased with di-electric grease. Can anyone tell me exactly which part to greasr? Does the grease actually go on the contacts? (sorry, might be a noob question).

3. When others have described the selector switch acting up, they spoke of the gear position lights on the dash acting up. Mine work perfectly fine and don't jump around. Does this mean the switch is fine? I'm going to clean it either way, just curious.

Thanks ahead of time as always!

Also, is this listing the correct part for the selector shaft seal? If not, can someone post a link to the correct part?:

http://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine...644-709-0.html

It looks like the right part. Buy the tool, cant really get it out without it unless you open up the case and pop it out from the rear. Even with the tool it takes a lot of force to latch onto it. Got both the tool and part from amazon myself.

Thanks Hades. Can you post a link to the correct tool? I've seen a bunch of them on Amazon but don't know which one to buy.

I'm ordering this seal, hope it's the right one:

http://www.amazon.com/Timken-8792S-S...zu%3Avehicross

Also ordered this remover tool:

http://www.amazon.com/Transmission-S.../dp/B000FN4A5I

Just completed this project. Was a bit of a pain in the arse, but no too too bad. NOTE ** You may want to stay away from the tool I posted above. The first couple threads on the seal extractor end BROKE OFF when trying to screw it into the seal. It did end up working, but took more effort than it should have. The seal installer piece worked great to tap the new seal in in a super tight spot. I also cleaned out and greased my shift selector switch while it was out. Whole job took around 2 hours, half of which were spent in the dark using the flashlight on my phone!

Can anyone tell me if this tool will work for this repair?

http://www.amazon.com/Transmission-S...haft+seal+tool

Thanks.

EDIT: This will not work on our beloved VXs...you much have one that is made for a vehicle with the mode selector/neutral safety switch. The control shaft on these is longer to accommodate the switch.

The tool I listed earlier in the thread DID work, but the quality wasn't great. FYI

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mattferguson14

The tool I listed earlier in the thread DID work, but the quality wasn't great. FYI

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Yes, I ended up ordering that one as well and it did work for me also.