D35 Axle tube leaking

[ursman]

After rebuilding my rear brakes (yet again) I discovered that my driver side axle tube was leaking gear oil a bit. This is non c-clip D35. I pulled the axle to see where it was coming from. The inner seal was pretty mangled so I decided to replace it. Finding the seal was a P.I.T.A for some reason. I finally sourced it at NAPA for $35! Couldn't believe that. Anyway, so after removing the old one w/ a puller, I went to put the new one in and found that the inner race that doesn't stay with the axle shaft but appears to be pressed into the tube, was in the way. The seal wouldn't pass through. I tried to remove the race from the tube but it wouldn't budge and I didn't want to goober it up by using a puller on it. Once I get it past the race, I'll be able to drive it home with a large pipe and a BFH. Anyone have any ideas on this one?