Cleaned up the ring sealing surface on both sides and commenced to attempting to install the seals.
Several hours of cursing later... I still haven't been successful. Unbelievably frustrated and exhausted. if the damnedable seal wasn't $377, I'd have sent it sailing out the doors of the shop. I tried installing it without the 'wire and zip tie' method and with it. I almost had it once and it popped back out moments after I took my hands off of it. I was using a plastic trim prying stick that was blunted off. That couldn't get me enough leverage, so I sacrificed a screwdriver and blunted it off. That worked a little better, but was still unsuccessful. The manual of course just shows a person pushing on the seal with their hands. It does say to "For easier inserting, use a bamboo spatula to guide floating seal O-ring while installing."
The lip on the housing is very much intact. I just can't seem to manage to compress the oring enough to slip it past that lip all the way around. I get 3/4 of the way and either slip and push the oring too far down or the side that is down pops up.
The freezer trick didn't seem to do anything one way or another
I haven't managed to damage the seal - yet.
Anyone have a bright idea? Or do I just keep banging my head on the wall and eventually manage to get it?
Once it is installed, it should be a VERY positive seal...
Oh and I'll clean everything up just fine. Bearings look great. The 'grungy' look is just a trick of the camera.