A valve stem seal assembly incorporates a cylindrical retainer having an axis and an upper end about which symmetrically and circumferentially arranged, alternating first and second sets of fingers have radially inwardly depending upper ends. The first set of fingers is generally parallel to the axis and the upper ends are generally perpendicular to the axis to engage a first exterior annular groove of an elastomeric seal body. The first set of fingers provides for axial attachment of the seal body to a top of a valve guide. The second set of fingers is generally arcuate and the upper ends extend radially inwardly to engage a second exterior annular groove of the seal body. The second set of fingers eliminates the need for a garter spring used by traditional valve stem seal assemblies by generating a force to urge the sealing lip against a reciprocating valve stem.