where can I find how to replace a rear main seal on an 04 GTO? is this a good idea without an alignment tool?

 

My best advice is for you to purchase a new rear cover, as it comes with a new gasket and rear main seal. It can be a pain to get the old seal out as well. Look into PACE Performance to grab up a new rear cover. They are rather cheap, and are genuine GM pieces.

 

they arent hard to get out...rent the tool for free at almost any auto parts store
pull the old, put in the new...no need to pull the cover off, and you dont need an alignment tool if you dont remove the cover.
if you remove the cover...then you need an alignment tool...which you will have to buy because its just not a tool people carry for rental

 

though.. I wont lie...a lot of people will just put the cover on loose, and let it self center and slowly tighten down each of the bolts a little at a time so they dont shift it...
it seems to work well for most people who do it that way

 

Guilty. That's what I did. I didn't have any issues with mine either.

Center it, start tightening bolts with fingers, criss-cross like you would a wheel, then torque to spec.

 

thanks for the info. that helps