Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Rear Main seal

[EWalshak]

Im looking at a 97 3500 ctd and it has a leaking rear main seal. Ive never replaced one on a ctd. I was wondering if someone can tell me if it is very difficult to do and can it be done with the engine in the truck. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[JacobsD]

Just make sure its not the rear valve cover gasket. Had that happen to me. You'll have to remove the transmission, and the adapter plate on the back of the motor. The rear main housing his held in by a few 8mm bolts, and also is part of the oil pan gasket, so you might end up doing one of those too. That won't be too bad with the trans out of the way.

 

[Dave M]

Im looking at a 97 3500 ctd and it has a leaking rear main seal. Ive never replaced one on a ctd. I was wondering if someone can tell me if it is very difficult to do and can it be done with the engine in the truck. Thanks in advance for any help.

I replaced the crank rear seal on my 97 4x4 3500 5spd last Nov. It was easy since I removed the transmission. I can't imagine doing it without removing the transmission. I got the seal kit from Cummins.



The crank rear seal was easy. Just drill 2 holes 180 degrees apart to insert a sheet metal screw and put vise grips on the screw and pop it out. I used a slide hammer and it didn't take much to pop it out and it fell out while I was positioning it on the screw. I've seen expensive special tools to do this but it's basically very easy.



Measure the depth of the old seal with calipers (before you remove it) to try to put the new seal a little further in on a new spot so it won't leak. The seal kit has a metal ring like the one for the front crank seal to set the depth of the new seal.



Dave

 

[Dave M]

Here are some pics of the crank seal job:

The first pic shows the seal kit with the old seal removed... still has the 2 sheet metal screws in it I used to remove it. The next 2 pics show the seal removed from crank and last pic shows the seal installed.

 

[EWalshak]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the info. The truck was sold last night so I wont be doing a rear seal on that one, but I sure wont be afraid to buy one that may need that repair done to it. Im back to searching for a good truck for the right price. Thanks again for the info JacobsD and DaveM thanks for the info and pics.