I might jack the front after a warmup (still got to set the valves) and drain the oil and stick the magnet in through the drain hole - never know migh save me a couple of hours of f--kery.

I was thinking it couldn't happen twice - I stuffed the hole after the second event. It's weird, that was the only times I dropped/lost a seal during the entire job.

I like the custom cover idea.

Is there enough steel in a seal to even be attracted to a magnet? The spring is tiny and is surrounded by rubber. I would think a magnet in the oil drain hole will stick to everything EXCEPT the seal.

I believe the oil plug is magnetized. It may be attached already!

I already gave it a try with a 5 lb extention magnet - no sweat - it grabs the seal very well.

Not sure about the oil plug - the diff drain definately is.

It will have to wait a bit now - I am back aboard my ship in another province (Nova Scotia) for a couple of weeks - finishing a refit. Just got aboard.