Rear Main Seal

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

If the crankshaft rear oil seal replacement is the only operation being performed, it can be done in the vehicle as detailed in the following procedure. If the oil seal is being replaced in conjunction with a rear main bearing replacement, the engine must be removed from the vehicle and installed on a work stand.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Starter
   • Transmission from the vehicle
   • Pressure plate and clutch disc, on vehicles with a manual transmission
   • Flywheel attaching bolts
   • Flywheel and engine rear cover plate
3. Use an awl to punch 2 holes in the crankshaft rear oil seal. Punch the holes on opposite sides of the crankshaft and just above the bearing cap to cylinder block split line. Install a sheet metal screw in each hole. Use 2 small pry bars and pry against both screws at the same time to remove the crankshaft rear oil seal. It may be necessary to place small blocks of wood against the cylinder block to provide a fulcrum point for the pry bars. Use caution throughout this procedure to avoid scratching or otherwise damaging the crankshaft oil seal surface.

   To install:

4. Clean the oil seal recess in the cylinder block and main bearing cap.
5. Clean, inspect and polish the rear oil seal rubbing surface on the crankshaft. Coat a new oil seal and the crankshaft with a light film of engine oil. Start the seal in the recess with the seal lip facing forward and install it with a seal driver. Keep the tool, T82L-6701-A (4-cyl. engines) or T72C-6165 (6-cyl. engine) straight with the centerline of the crankshaft and install the seal until the tool contacts the cylinder block surface. Remove the tool and inspect the seal to be sure it was not damaged during installation.
6. On 8-cylinder engines, coat the new oil seal and crankshaft with a light film of clean engine oil. Start the seal in the recess with the seal lip facing forward and install it with Rear Crank Seal Replacer T95P-6701-BH and Spacer T96T-6701-B.
7. Install or connect the following:
   • Engine rear cover plate. Position the flywheel on the crankshaft flange. Coat the threads of the flywheel attaching bolts with oil-resistant sealer and install the bolts. Torque the bolts in sequence across from each other to 75–85 ft. lbs. (102–115 Nm).
   • Clutch disc and the pressure plate, on vehicles with a manual transmission
   • Transmission
   • Negative battery cable
8. Check the fluid levels and top off if necessary.
9. Start the engine, check for leaks and repair if necessary.