Would you replace this rear main seal?
#1
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Would you replace this rear main seal?
Ok, doing a clutch install and debating whether or not to put in a new rear main seal in while I'm at it. I'm nervous I'll get it back together and it will leak! Car has 50k miles. The oil pan seal was a tad "damp" with oil under the rear main seal, which I smeared with my nitrile glove before taking this pic. It was hard to tell where it was coming from. I did find the oil pan bolts to be a bit loose, so a torqued them down appropriately. Here's a pic:
Whatcha think?!
Whatcha think?!
#3
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You're asking, so in your mind the seal is questionable. You're right there. No better time than now.
Would really suck to not change it and then have to pull the trans back out to change it.
That's what I'd do.
Would really suck to not change it and then have to pull the trans back out to change it.
That's what I'd do.
#4
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Ok, I'll go ahead and do it. Seems like there is now a rubber one and a Teflon one. Is there a preference? This may be a dumb question, but should I expect any oil to come out when I pull the seal? Sounds like if you use the Teflon one, it goes in dry. Not sure how that's possible if the area is oily by nature?
Thanks for the advice, guys!
Thanks for the advice, guys!
#7
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Thanks, guys. I got the rubber one and installed it today. Really pretty straightforward. Not sure what would make one leak vs not leak in an install, so I guess we'll see when I start her up! As always, I appreciate the advice!
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#8
most seals fail on the first 5 revolutions, because of lack of lubrication, ALWAYS, ALWAYS lub the lips of the seal and the "shaft that it seals to. I use STP of Lubber PLate lithum greese
#9
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If you choose to go with the Teflon seal, you DO NOT oil it before installation! There is a plastic "installation sleeve" that is in place on the seal, when it comes out of the package. You install the seal over the crank, using this sleeve to protect it during the install. After the seal is in place, the sleeve slides out.
If you use a rubber seal, then yes, you oil it before installation. GM switched to the Teflon seal on the '97 model year.
#10
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Just curious, "94FBIRD", did you oil it before you installed it?
If you choose to go with the Teflon seal, you DO NOT oil it before installation! There is a plastic "installation sleeve" that is in place on the seal, when it comes out of the package. You install the seal over the crank, using this sleeve to protect it during the install. After the seal is in place, the sleeve slides out.
If you use a rubber seal, then yes, you oil it before installation. GM switched to the Teflon seal on the '97 model year.
If you choose to go with the Teflon seal, you DO NOT oil it before installation! There is a plastic "installation sleeve" that is in place on the seal, when it comes out of the package. You install the seal over the crank, using this sleeve to protect it during the install. After the seal is in place, the sleeve slides out.
If you use a rubber seal, then yes, you oil it before installation. GM switched to the Teflon seal on the '97 model year.
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Well, I ended up using the rubber seal, as I wasn't confident I would be able to get the area oil-free for the Teflon one. So far so good! The install was really pretty straight forward. It went in easier than I was anticipating it would. Now, if I could only figure out where the leak in the FRONT is coming from...😩