tranny leak issues Options

[turbohcar]

I've got a leaky passenger side axle shaft seal. Now, how hard is this to replace? I had little to no time to do it tonight and was wanting to tackle it tomorrow after work when I have the part. I've never had problems with this before but apparently this is the problem. I tried to pry on it a little with no results and was afraid to accidentally cause more damage to the transmission than what is already wrong. Marcus, I'm going to guess you've probably had experience with this, any help is appreciated. Thanks
Brett

[turbohcar]

AAARRRRRRGGGGGGGG!!! Yet again I am thrown a curveball. My transmission leak may not have been a leaky axle shaft seal at all. Tonight, while poking at the seal with a screwdriver and randomly trying to pry from different angles, I decided to get the creeper out. I got underneath the car and continued my prodding until... I noticed something I hadn't seen before. It was a crack in the transmission casing. Three small cracks all about 1/2 inch long all coming from the same point. It's as if something inside the transmission slammed against the casing and punctured it just enough to crack it. (Insert cursing and screaming here) Now, after my stress relief conference, I jumped in the car and headed to town. Supplies that were on the list were brake cleaner, electronics cleaner, and JB Weld. Realize this, I have never had any experience with JB Weld and had no idea how to use it. Got back to my place, cleaned the wound with the brake cleaner followed by electronics cleaner and then mixed the JB Weld. Hopefully, it'll stick. I got ahold of an old lamp fixture and set it next to the goop to help it cure a little better as the temperature in my garage is probably in the 50 degree range. Now however, I'm dealing with another problem. There is a circular spring retainer ring inside the axle shaft gasket. While prying on the gasket this retainer ring slid out and I cannot get it to go back in. Is this ring absolutely necessary? Hopefully this works! Thanks
Brett

P.S.: I can get the axle shaft seals for about 7 bucks through work.