Method for removal of valve seats within fluid end assembly

A method for removing components within a fluid end assembly, the fluid end assembly having a body defining a fluid bore, a plunger bore, and an outlet port, the fluid bore extending through the body between first and second openings, the fluid bore defining an inlet pocket toward the first opening, an outlet pocket toward the second opening, and a fluid chamber between the inlet and outlet pockets, the inlet pocket having a first minimum inner dimension, the outlet pocket having a second minimum inner dimension, the first minimum inner dimension being less than the second minimum inner dimension, the plunger bore extending at least partially in the body from a third opening of the body to a closed inner end and intersecting the fluid bore at the fluid chamber, the closed inner end integrally formed with the body, the outlet port communicating with the fluid bore, the method comprising:

• removing a closure from the second opening of the fluid bore;
• removing, through the second opening, an outlet valve from an outlet seat disposed in the outlet pocket toward the second opening;
• inserting a tool into the fluid bore through the second opening, attaching the tool to the outlet seat, releasing the outlet seat from the outlet pocket using the tool, and removing the outlet seat through the second opening;
• removing a stop for an inlet valve from the second opening of the fluid bore, the stop being configured to pass through the second minimum inner dimension of the outlet pocket;
• removing, through the second opening, the inlet valve from an inlet seat disposed in the inlet pocket toward the first opening, the inlet valve having a first outer dimension configured to pass through the second minimum inner dimension of the outlet pocket;
• and
• inserting the tool into the fluid bore through the second opening, attaching the tool to the inlet seat, releasing the inlet seat from the inlet pocket using the tool, and removing the inlet seat from the second opening, the inlet seat having a second outer dimension configured to pass through the second minimum inner dimension of the outlet pocket.