Rear main seal leak.

[SOOT]

How hard is it to change the rear main seal on a 97 chassis/cab, 2WD 5 spd?



I am pretty sure it is the seal because there is engine oil coming out of the small inspection hole on the bottom of the bellhousing. It needs the clutch replaced as well, soo I was thinking about doing it all in one shot, I have a SBC con "O" waiting to go in. What is the cost of the seal?



I am a diesel mechanic but have never done a rear main, so I have lots of tools.





Thanks much guys.

 

[RHARVEY]

I had the seal on my 97 done when I did the clutch. The part from Cummins was $87. They drilled a small hole in the seal and put in a big screw and pulled it right out. .



Rick

 

[SOOT]

Thanks,



$87 is not to bad, I was thinking over a hundred.

I am going to talk to Cummins today and see what it will involve, and have them do the clutch since I do not have a good place to do it

 

[Ben Rumson]

Mine too...

I had my mechanic repalce mine while he had the trans off. Seal was around $85. No oil leak yet, but at 145k miles it was a no brainer to replace it while the trans was off.



Where it's beginning to leak already, get it done while the clutch is off.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Gee, I paid the local Freightliner dealer about 67 for mine and I was thinking rip off. Feel better now.



If you have a mechanic do the install who is not that well versed with this application, let them know that the crank must not be lubricated due to the teflon.

 

[Ted W. Hazen]

My rear main seal was leaking and I decided to have clutch replaced at the same time as I am pushing 140K with original still working great. Unfortunately, even after advising technician certain steps should be followed in installing seal he still installed the OD rubber seal without using ther installation tool and applied sealant to outer edge. He looked at the installation tool and didn't know what it was for. They did a great job installing clutch assembly but I will be taking it back for another leaky main seal.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Another thought on rear main seal.

The seal is not all that wide. The mech needs to take time to center punch and carefully drill the holes for removing via screws. Don't want to scratch either surface.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Remove trans, clutch, flywheel. You have to do this for the clutch r&r anyway. Next wither use the screw method as above to pry out the seal (be careful not to nick the crank), or remove the seal housing--probably the harder way to go. The seal has a rubber outside to seal it to the seal housing (aluminum part bolted to the back of the block with M6 bolts). Be sure the crank and seal lip are DRY because the seal surface is teflon coated. I have a couple rear seals if you can't find one locally at a decent deal.

 

[SOOT]

Thanks for the info everyone

Donnelly,

How much you want for one?



Cummins told me just for labor cost to replace the clutch and the seal was over $700:--) :{ I said thanks and see ya later. I think NOT.



If I can find someone with a big enough garage that will let me use it, I will do it.



Thanks Ya'll