Hi,

i was swapping the timing belt & waterpump (Focus 1.6 "Sigma" petrol, 2009), when i noticed the outer crankshaft seal is leaking a tiny bit. Also the belt was a bit jagged/eaten on the inner side - softened by oil? a grease residue under the crank?

I went about changing the seal, without special tools, metal tubes etc. Tried gently tapping it in with a small hammer & a 1/2" extension bar.
Well, it went in, but not as evenly as i'd like - one side sooner, then i leveled it out. Now it's deeper than flush, about a milimeter. Is that a problem on a Focus crank, the stop "thing" (1st picture) ?
I read it would seal better, since it's seated behind the groove left by the old seal.

Well, the real problem, (or not? i don't know, i'm a first timer with this) : the gap between the shaft and the inner side of the seal varies around the circumference. On the left side there's an air gap (about 0.5 mm or slightly less- just as it was on the original seal, which had 100k miles ~ 160k km on it), but on the right there's even a smaller gap with fresh oil (which i put on the inner side to lubricate it), held by surface tension. One short length of the seal seams like it's almost touching the crank.Is this doomed to fail soon or am i overthinking this? Within tolerance or way of center? Should i reinstall a new seal with the help of metal tube? Freezing weather is catching up on me, so i better hurry, got 1 day left :/

Could the seal hit the "thing" behind it, on the left of the crank, bending the inner lip? Spring fell off? i was gentle as possible. . . the outer edge of the seal seems about even, but i can't rectify the inner gap to make it even, no matter where i tap now.

Your help MUCH appreciated!